The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats
1812 
Germany Story
Once upon a time, there was a mother goat who had seven young kids whom she loved very much. One day, she needed to go into the forest to get food, so she called all her children together.
"Dear children," she said, "I must go away for a while. Be on your guard against the wolf. If he gets in, he will eat you up. He often disguises himself, but you can always recognize him by his rough voice and his black feet."
"Don't worry, Mother," said the kids. "We will be very careful." So the mother goat went on her way.
It wasn't long before there was a knock at the door. "Open up, dear children!" called a voice. "Your mother is back with treats for you all!" But the kids heard the rough voice and knew it was the wolf. "We won't open the door!" they cried. "Our mother has a soft voice, and yours is rough. You are the wolf!"
The wolf went away and ate some honey to soften his voice. He came back and knocked again. "Open up, dear children!" he said in a sweet voice. But when he put his paw on the windowsill, the kids saw it was black. "We won't open! Our mother doesn't have black feet. You are the wolf!"
So the wolf went to a baker and had his feet covered in white dough. He returned once more, and this time, when the kids checked his voice (soft) and his feet (white), they thought it was really their mother and opened the door.
The wolf rushed in! The kids scattered and hid everywhere—under the table, in the bed, in the stove, in the cupboard, under the sink, and in the clock case. The wolf found and swallowed six of them, but he couldn't find the youngest, who was hiding in the clock case.
When the mother goat came home, she found the door open and her children gone. The youngest kid told her what happened. They found the wolf asleep by a tree, his belly moving. The mother goat carefully opened him up, and out jumped all six kids, unharmed! They filled his belly with heavy stones. When the wolf woke and went to drink from the well, the stones pulled him in, and that was the end of the wicked wolf.
History and Meaning
"The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats" was collected by the Brothers Grimm and published in 1812. The tale has ancient roots and shares themes with other wolf stories, including "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Three Little Pigs."
The story teaches children important lessons about safety and not opening the door to strangers, even if they seem friendly. The mother goat's specific warnings about the wolf's voice and feet show children how to recognize danger in disguise.
The tale also celebrates the mother's determination and cleverness. Even when things seem hopeless, she doesn't give up and ultimately rescues all her children. The youngest kid's survival by staying hidden reinforces the wisdom of following a parent's advice.
This story remains popular in Germany and around the world, often performed as a children's play. Its simple, repetitive structure makes it easy for young children to follow and remember.