Little Maroon Riding-Hood

Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Rivke, whom everyone called Maroon-Riding-Hood, since everywhere she went she wore a beautiful hood of rich maroon. Everyone said she was a wonderful girl, so good, so smart, so talented, so modest, indeed a girl of valor. Across the street from Maroon-Riding-Hood lived another little girl who was known to the village as Red-Riding-Hood, since everywhere she went she wore a beautiful hood of bright red. Everyone said Red-Riding-Hood was a wonderful girl, so good, so smart, so talented, indeed a girl of valor.

As Maroon-Riding-Hood neared the age at which girls of valor become women of valor, the local shadchan became the person who remarked most frequently on Maroon-Riding-Hood's valorous traits. Said shadchan was firmly convinced that Maroon-Riding-Hood would indeed make a not just a valorous woman, but a valorous wife. Specifically, Moishe, the rabbi's son, wanted to go on a shidduch with her. And Moishe was so learned, such a talmid chacham - what could be wrong with this plan?

Alas, there was a problem with the plan! Having reached the age at which girls of valor become exquisitely self-conscious, Maroon-Riding-Hood was too shy to speak much with anyone, especially Moishe. Red-Riding-Hood, for whatever reason, suffered none of these difficulties. Observing the situation, Maroon-Riding-Hood begged her mother "Please, oh please make me a red hood! Red is a much prettier color than maroon, and it will make me more noticeable. If more people notice me, more people will talk to me, I'll have to become more outgoing. Then I'll be able to meet someone and fall in love. Then I will marry, and my children will give you all the naches you want!" Full of the wisdom of many years, Maroon-Riding-Hood's mother replied "Oy, already you want to dress like a harlot! Moishe loves maroon."

The next day, Maroon-Riding-Hood and Red-Riding-Hood were sent through the woods to visit a friend in a neighboring village. Their respective mothers cautioned them not to get distracted, just to go straight to see the friend, and then come straight back. Thus Maroon-Riding-Hood and Red-Riding-Hood set out together. Sure enough, a wolf emerged from the woods. Maroon's hood blended in with the dark hues of the forest, but Red's hood and person were immediately apparent and the wolf devoured her on the spot. Horrified, Maroon-Riding-Hood ran home, and said "Mama! Now I understand why modest girls don't wear red. Beauty comes from within a person. I am already beautiful -- I don't need a red hood." Thereafter Maroon-Riding-Hood was pleased to be her modest self, outgrew her adolescent anxiety, married Moishe, and they lived happily ever after.