Once upon a time, in a quiet, sun-dappled forest, there was a cozy little cottage where three bears lived together as a happy family. There was Papa Bear, who was very big and strong, Mama Bear, who was just the right size and very kind, and Baby Bear, who was small and full of curiosity. Each bear had their own special things in the house: Papa Bear had a great big bowl for his porridge, Mama Bear had a medium-sized bowl, and Baby Bear had a tiny little bowl. They each had their own chair to sit in and their own bed to sleep in—one big, one medium, and one small, just like their bowls.

One bright morning, the three bears decided to make a delicious breakfast of warm porridge. They carefully poured the porridge into their bowls, but it was much too hot to eat right away. So, they decided to take a walk in the woods while their breakfast cooled down. The bears loved their walks, listening to the birds sing and watching the sunlight dance through the leaves.

Not far away, a little girl with golden curls, named Goldilocks, was walking through the forest. She had been sent on a little errand by her mother, but she was easily distracted by the fluttering butterflies and the gentle breeze. As she wandered along, she came upon the bears’ cottage. Goldilocks was very curious and peeked in through the window. She saw that no one was home, and the door was slightly open. Goldilocks gently pushed the door and stepped inside.

Inside the cottage, Goldilocks saw the three bowls of porridge on the table. Her tummy rumbled, for she had been walking for quite a while. She tasted the porridge from the big bowl, but it was much too hot. Then she tried the porridge from the medium bowl, but it was too cold. Finally, she tasted the porridge from the little bowl, and it was just right—warm and delicious. Goldilocks liked it so much that she ate it all up.

After eating, Goldilocks felt a bit tired. She looked around and saw three chairs by the fireplace. First, she tried sitting in the big chair, but it was too hard. Then she tried the medium chair, but it was too soft. At last, she sat in the little chair, and it felt just right. She rocked gently in the chair, but soon, with a little crack, the chair broke, and Goldilocks tumbled to the floor. She was surprised, but she quickly got up and dusted herself off.

Goldilocks was now feeling very sleepy. She climbed the stairs and found three beds in the cozy bedroom. She tried the big bed, but it was too high at the head. Then she tried the medium bed, but it was too high at the foot. Finally, she tried the little bed, and it was just right—soft and comfortable. Goldilocks snuggled under the covers and soon drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, the three bears finished their walk and returned home, ready for breakfast. When they came inside, Papa Bear looked at his bowl and said in his deep, gentle voice, “Someone has been eating my porridge.” Mama Bear looked at her bowl and said in her warm, caring voice, “Someone has been eating my porridge, too.” Baby Bear looked at his little bowl and said in his small, surprised voice, “Someone has eaten all my porridge!”

The bears looked around the room and noticed their chairs. Papa Bear saw that his chair cushion was out of place and said, “Someone has been sitting in my chair.” Mama Bear saw that her chair’s cushion was squished and said, “Someone has been sitting in my chair, too.” Baby Bear looked at his little chair and said, “Someone has been sitting in my chair, and it’s broken!”

The bears were puzzled and decided to look upstairs. In the bedroom, Papa Bear saw that his pillow was moved and said, “Someone has been lying in my bed.” Mama Bear saw that her blanket was rumpled and said, “Someone has been lying in my bed, too.” Baby Bear looked at his little bed and saw something very surprising—there was Goldilocks, fast asleep!

Baby Bear said in his tiny voice, “Someone has been lying in my bed, and here she is!” Goldilocks woke up and saw the three bears standing by her bed. She was startled, but the bears looked at her with gentle eyes. Goldilocks quickly got up, feeling a little embarrassed for coming into their home without asking. She apologized to the bears for eating their porridge, sitting in their chairs, and sleeping in their beds.

The three bears listened kindly to Goldilocks. They could see she meant no harm and was just a curious little girl. Mama Bear offered Goldilocks a warm smile and asked if she would like to stay for breakfast. Goldilocks nodded, and together they all went downstairs. The bears made some more porridge, and this time, everyone had enough to eat. Goldilocks thanked the bears for their kindness and promised to always knock before entering someone’s home.

After breakfast, Goldilocks said goodbye to her new friends and made her way back through the forest, feeling happy and grateful for the lesson she had learned. The three bears waved to her from their cottage door, glad to have made a new friend in the woods.

Classic fairy tale about a curious girl who enters a forest cottage and explores the belongings of three bears, leading to a surprising encounter

Goldilocks and the Three Bears