The Three Bears and Their Guest

Three bears lived in a woodland cottage: one large, one middle-sized and one small. Each had a bowl, chair and bed that fitted perfectly. One morning, their porridge was too hot to eat.

They went for a walk while it cooled. An old woman in a red shawl came along the path and noticed the open cottage door. Without asking, she stepped inside to look around.

The large bowl was too hot, and the middle bowl was too cold. The small bowl tasted just right. The visitor ate its porridge, forgetting that someone else had left it waiting.

She tried the chairs next. The large chair was hard and the middle chair too soft. The little chair felt comfortable, but it could not hold her weight and its seat cracked.

Tired now, she climbed upstairs. The large bed was too high, the middle bed too low, and the small bed comfortable. She lay down there and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The bears returned to find spoons moved and porridge missing. The little bear stared at his empty bowl. Then all three noticed the broken chair and wondered who had visited their quiet home.

Upstairs, they found their visitor sleeping in the little bed. They called gently, and she woke with a start. Seeing three surprised bears, she hurried towards the doorway, holding her shawl tightly.

At the door, the old woman stopped and realised what she had done. She apologised for eating the porridge and using things without asking. The bears listened, though the little one remained upset.

She returned with fresh oats and a carpenter who repaired the chair. This time she knocked and waited outside. The little bear tried the mended seat and smiled when it held firmly.

The bears invited her for porridge in a fourth bowl. Nobody needed to borrow another's chair. Their new friend left with thanks, remembering that an open door still required a polite question.