A rather hungry wolf, with a tummy that rumbled like distant thunder, was wandering near a small village one afternoon. As he tiptoed past a cozy little cottage with a bright red door, he heard a sound. Waaah! Waaah! A little child was crying very loudly inside.

The wolf’s ears perked up. He crept closer to the window, hidden by a big rose bush, and listened.

Inside, an old woman was trying to soothe the child. "Now, now, little one," she said, her voice a bit tired. "If you don't stop that fussing, I'll give you to the wolf!"

The wolf’s eyes widened. "Oh, goody!" he thought, licking his lips. "Dinner is coming right to me! I just have to wait." So, he settled down comfortably behind the rose bush, dreaming of a tasty meal. He waited, and waited, and waited some more.

After a while, the crying inside the cottage stopped. The wolf wiggled his nose, getting ready.

Then, he heard the old woman’s voice again, but this time it was soft and sweet. "There, there, my good little dear. You've stopped crying! If that naughty wolf dares to come near our door, we'll get the big broom and shoo him far, far away! Yes, we will!"

The wolf’s jaw dropped. "What?" he whispered to himself, very confused. "First she says she'll give me the child, and now she says she'll shoo me away with a broom?"

He shook his head, his tummy still rumbling. "Well," he grumbled, as he stood up and stretched. "It seems the people in that house say one thing, but mean another. I guess I won't be getting any dinner here tonight."

And with a sigh, the hungry wolf trotted back into the woods, still wondering about the strange words of the old woman.

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