Clark's Scribbles

Goldilocks Gets My Vote

Goldie Locks and the Three bears gets my vote as one of the most successful short stories of all time. It’s the tale of a simple rural family living peacefully in a national forest. Neither the Bear family nor their house is described in any detail. They are simply Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear. Their names could be Bruno, Ursula and BJ for Bruno Junior. It’s a typical morning. Ursula cooks up some oatmeal. The family takes off on a short walk in the woods while waiting for their breakfast to cool.

As soon as the Bears leave the house, an intruder, a presumptuous girl named Goldie, walks in and vandalizes the place. It is not clear why the Bears didn’t lock up. They probably thought their house was out of the way and therefore safe. Or maybe, no break-ins had been reported recently.

The story doesn’t give a description of the intruder. Feminine pronouns and her name, “Goldie,” provide hints. Her actions in the next part of the story give a better feel for her appearance and character. The key point here is that her intrusion is the first door of no return. Once she walks into the Bears’ home, the situation has been irreversibly set up for the mischief in the second act.

The intruder immediately sits down at the breakfast spread and samples the cereal in each of the bowls. Bruno’s is too hot (still?). Ursula’s is too cold. But BJ’s is just the right temperature. This suggests Goldie is a child, like BJ. She finishes off the kid’s breakfast. Then she wanders through the house looking for loot. Apparently, Goldie is bigger than BJ. She ends up breaking his chair because she is too big for it.

Goldie discovers the bedrooms and realizes it’s time for a nap. She was up early, and the hot cereal is making her feel sleepy. Again, she tries Bruno’s bed first. This is a character trait. She pictures herself as an imposing adult. Then she tries Ursula’s bed. In a modern retelling of the story, they should have a sleep number mattress on their king-sized bed. Finally, our girl discovers BJ’s bed. It is probably a crib, but that is left to the imagination.

She falls asleep. This is the second door of no return. The story is headed for its inevitable climax. Bruno and his family return from their walk. They discover an intruder has been in their house. It is easy to imagine the feelings they experience. Anger. Violation. Fear. Bruno steps up to meet the situation head-on. He marches (not stated but what else would he do) over to the breakfast table where he discovers his meal has been sampled. How did he know this? Was the spoon left in his bowl?

Ursula and BJ discover their breakfasts have been desecrated. The intruder has eaten all of BJ’s porridge. The family is incensed. They charge further into their house and discover more vandalism wreaked by the intruder. BJ’s chair has been destroyed. Bruno and Ursula somehow divine that someone sat in their chairs. This is not explained, but usually, everyone takes their word for it.

Bruno leads the way into the bedrooms. He sees that the intruder used his bed. Did she mess up the pillows?

Ursula is horrified when she discovers that the intruder has used her bed.

BJ, apparently wandering off on his own, discovers Goldie sleeping in his bed. Bruno and Ursula rush in to catch her. The girl is quick-witted and fleet of foot. She races out of the house before the family can act.

The Bear family lets her go. Perhaps they’re tired from their walk. Or they may be vegans. We never find out.

This simple story endures because it appeals to its intended audience. I can’t count the number of times my young daughters requested it.

It is a sophisticated three-act drama. The opening scene introduces the characters and sets up the action. In the second act, the intruder, Goldie, vandalizes the house leading to the climax. In the final act, the bears discover the crime and find the culprit – who escapes.

Details could be added. They aren’t necessary. The story works just as it is. But would it work if the intruder was a boy with walnut hair and a reputation for making trouble?