In this story from Aesop’s Fables, a baby goat waits for his mother. A wolf comes to the door. What can he do? Let’s start the story.

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The Wolf at the Door

A baby goat lives in the forest with his mother. One day, the baby goat’s mother says, “We are running low on food. I will go to the town today.” The baby goat says, “Oh good! Will you buy the bread I like?” The mother goat says, “Yes, I know you like that bread.” The baby goat says, “Great! I can’t wait to eat it.” His mother says, “It’s a long walk to the town. I will return late.” The baby goat says, “Ok, I will stay home and wait for you.”

The mother goat says, “Baby goat, maybe someone will come to the door. If someone comes to the door, ask them for the password. Do not let anyone inside the house without the password. Do you remember?” The baby goat says, “Yes, I remember! The password is ‘Down with the wolf.’” His mother says, “Yes, ‘Down with the wolf.’ Baby goat, do not forget!” The baby goat says, “Yes, I’ve got it!”

But a wolf hears the baby goat and his mother. The wolf hides behind a tree. The wolf hears the mother say she will go to the town. The wolf hears the password. The wolf waits for the mother goat to leave. Then the mother goat says, “Ok, I’m going now! See you later!” The baby goat says, “Yes mother, see you later!” The mother goat goes out of the door. She closes the door and walks into the forest.

The wolf waits behind the tree. He waits for a few minutes. The mother goat is gone. Then he goes to the door. He knocks on the door. He says, “Hello? Is anyone home?” The baby goat says, “What is the password?” The wolf says, “’Down with the wolf!’” The baby goat looks through the window. He sees a shadow. He can’t see who it is. He feels scared. What if the wolf is outside? How can he find out? Then he has an idea. He says, “Show me a white paw in the window!” The baby goat waits to see a white paw. He doesn’t see anything. He says, “Hello? Show me a white paw!” He doesn’t hear anything. Then he sees a wolf run away from the house. The wolf runs into the forest. The end.

In this story, the baby goat gets a surprise. Someone comes to the door. What can the baby goat do? The baby goat uses creativity. The baby goat asks to see a white paw. The wolf runs away. Why? Because wolves are black and grey. Wolves are not white.

This story has been rewritten and read by Katrina Hao; it is a classic folk tale from Aesop’s Fables ✨