Der Wolf und die sieben Geißlein (1957)

A raven wearing a little hat tells the story of the wolf and the seven little goats: Once upon a time, a mother goat lived in the mountains with her seven little goats. In autumn, when the leaves changed color, the family came down into the valley and looked for a house to spend the winter in. While searching in the forest, the youngest little goat, Gucki, happened upon the former hut of a woodsman, and the family settled in. A short time later, the six little goats went to school. Gucki was allowed to come along and watch, too. In their last lesson, the little goats had learned where the best grass grows, when they should eat it, and why wet grass is harmful. Now they learn about their worst enemy, the wolf. He has sharp teeth, a long tongue, green, flashing eyes, and especially likes to eat young little goats. The teacher also points out the wolf’s deep voice. Back at home, their mother goes into the forest. She warns the little goats not to let anyone in, and they bolt the door. At Gucki’s instruction, they tidy up and then enjoy their free time. In the middle of their activities, a knock at the door startles them. The wolf is standing outside and demands to be let in. The little goats recognize him by his voice and refuse to open the door. When the wolf tries to climb in through the window, they pelt him with logs until he gives up. He goes to a shopkeeper and eats an entire packet of chalk, but even with a high-pitched voice he cannot force his way in: the black paw he shows the little goats through the window gives him away. He almost manages to get into the little goats’ house through the chimney, but they light a fire and drive him away. The wolf then has a baker dust his paw white with flour, and since he passes all the tests, the little goats let him in. The seven hide in a panic. Nevertheless, the wolf succeeds in eating six of them. The seventh, Gucki, has hidden in the clock case and is therefore the only one who answers when their mother calls upon her return. The two of them find the sleeping wolf by the well. The mother promptly cuts open the wolf’s belly, rescues her children, who are still alive, and fills the wolf’s belly with cobblestones. When the wolf wakes up and, thirsty, tries to drink from the well, he falls into it and dies. The little goats are delighted, but their mother combines her scolding of them for acting carelessly with a general warning: children should never go off with strangers or trust their flattery, coaxing, or promises, because things like that always end badly. At the end, the little goats dance around the well and sing, “The wolf is dead!”