Goldilocks and the Three Bears” is a beloved fairy tale that has captivated the imaginations of children for nearly two centuries. Originally recorded in 1831 by Eleanor Mure, this timeless story has evolved through various retellings to become the version we cherish today. Mure’s early rendition, written in verse and adorned with watercolors, was followed by English poet Robert Southey’s 1837 printed version, which introduced the concept of bears of different sizes. In 1850, Joseph Cundall’s retelling featured a little girl for the first time, and by 1904, the term Goldilocks appeared in fairy tale anthologies. Continually reimagined by writers and illustrators, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” remains a favorite among short stories for kids, making it a perfect bedtime moral story for children.
Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived three bears: Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and Baby Bear. They resided in a cozy cottage, where each bear had their own unique bowl of porridge, chair, and bed.
One morning, after preparing their breakfast, the bears decided to take a walk while their porridge cooled.
Around this time, a curious young girl named Goldilocks was wandering through the forest. Her golden hair shimmered in the sunlight as she explored deeper into the woods. Eventually, she stumbled upon the bears’ charming little house.
Intrigued and driven by her curiosity, Goldilocks knocked on the door, but no one answered.
Goldilocks went inside. First, she tasted the porridge of Papa Bear, and that was far too hot for her.
“Ouch! This porridge is much too hot!” she exclaimed, pushing the bowl away.
Then she tasted the porridge of Mama Bear, and that was too cold for her.
“Brr! This porridge is too cold!” she muttered, shaking her head.
Finally, she went to the porridge of the little, small wee bear, and tasted that. It was neither too hot nor too cold, but just right. She liked it so well that she ate it all up.
“Mmm, this porridge is perfect!” she said, happily finishing every last bit.
Then Goldilocks went upstairs into the bedchamber. First, she lay down upon the bed of Papa Bear.
“This bed is too hard!” she groaned, rolling off.
Then she lay down upon the bed of Mama Bear.
“This bed is too soft!” she sighed, sinking into the mattress.
Finally, she lay down upon the bed of the little, small wee bear, and that was just right. So, she covered herself up comfortably and lay there until she fell fast asleep.
By this time, the three bears thought their porridge would be cool enough, so they came home to breakfast.
“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN AT MY PORRIDGE!” said Papa Bear, in his great huge voice.
“Somebody has been at my porridge!” said Mama Bear, in her middle voice.
Then the little, small wee bear looked at his, and there was the spoon in the porridge pot, but the porridge was all gone.
“Somebody has been at my porridge, and has eaten it all up!” said the little, small wee bear, in his little, small wee voice.
Then the three bears went upstairs into their bedroom.
“SOMEBODY HAS BEEN LYING IN MY BED!” said Papa Bear, in his great, rough, gruff voice.
“Somebody has been lying in my bed!” said Mama Bear, in her middle voice.
And when the little, small wee bear came to look at his bed, upon the pillow there was a pool of golden curls, and the angelic face of a little girl snoring away, fast asleep.
“Somebody has been lying in my bed, and here she is!” said the little, small wee bear, in his little, small wee voice.
Goldilocks jumped off the bed and ran downstairs, out of the door, and down the garden path. She ran and she ran until she reached the house of her grandmama. When she told her grandmama about the house of the three bears who lived in the wood, her granny said, “My, my, what a wild imagination you have, child!”
The moral of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” for kids is that it teaches the importance of respecting others’ property and privacy. It conveys that one should never enter someone else’s home or personal space without permission.
If you enjoyed the classic tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, you might also like reading the enchanting story of Hansel and Gretel. This captivating short story for kids tells the adventure of two siblings who encounter a gingerbread house in the woods, occupied by a wicked witch. You can find the Hansel and Gretel short story and many other delightful short stories for kids on our website, where each tale brings timeless lessons and endless enjoyment.
Sasindu Jayasri is an Engineering student from Sri Lanka and he studies mechanical engineering at the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Moratuwa. He is passionate about writing and giving inspiration to the world. Follow him in LinkedIn for updates and you can contact him directly.
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