Goldilocks and the Three Bears

A curious girl wanders into the bears' cottage and tries everything until it's just right. Read it aloud or let your child read it, then talk about the lesson and try the quiz.

Read the story Story quiz Printable PDF

Once upon a time, three bears lived in a cottage in the woods: Papa Bear, Mama Bear and little Baby Bear.

One morning, Mama Bear made porridge, but it was too hot to eat. "Let's take a walk while it cools," said Papa Bear, and off they went.

Soon a girl named Goldilocks came skipping through the woods. She saw the cottage, peeked in the window and, finding no one home, walked right in.

On the table were three bowls of porridge. She tasted Papa Bear's. "Too hot!" She tasted Mama Bear's. "Too cold!" She tasted Baby Bear's. "Just right!" And she ate it all up.

Next she tried the chairs. Papa Bear's chair was too hard. Mama Bear's chair was too soft. Baby Bear's chair was just right, until it broke into pieces!

Feeling sleepy, Goldilocks went upstairs. Papa Bear's bed was too hard. Mama Bear's bed was too soft. Baby Bear's bed was just right, and she fell fast asleep.

The bears came home. "Someone's been eating my porridge," growled Papa Bear. "And someone ate mine all up!" cried Baby Bear. They found the broken chair, and then they went upstairs. "Someone's sleeping in my bed!" squeaked Baby Bear.

Goldilocks woke up, saw three bears staring at her and jumped out of bed. "I'm sorry!" she cried, and she ran all the way home. She never went into anyone's house without asking again.

The lesson

Respect other people's homes and things, and say sorry when you make a mistake.

Ask your child which part of the story shows the lesson. Pointing to the evidence is a key reading skill; see story elements, retelling a story, character traits.

Words to know

Story quiz

Six questions about the story. Tap the speaker to hear each question read aloud.

  1. 1.Who lived in the cottage?

    Show answer

    Three bears.

  2. 2.Why did the bears go for a walk?

    Show answer

    To let the porridge cool.

  3. 3.Whose porridge was just right?

    Show answer

    Baby Bear's.

  4. 4.What happened to Baby Bear's chair?

    Show answer

    It broke.

  5. 5.What is the setting?

    Show answer

    A cottage in the woods.

  6. 6.What did Goldilocks do wrong?

    Show answer

    She went into the house without asking.

Talk about it

Print the story

Download Goldilocks and the Three Bears as a free PDF, with the story, questions to answer in writing and an answer key. Good for kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade.

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Last reviewed: November 12, 2026

Questions parents ask

What is the moral of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?

Respect other people's homes and things, and say sorry when you make a mistake.

What grade is Goldilocks and the Three Bears for?

It's a good fit for Kindergarten–2nd grade. Younger children enjoy it as a read-aloud; older children can read it on their own and discuss the lesson.

How long does it take to read Goldilocks and the Three Bears?

About 2 minutes to read aloud, plus a few minutes for the questions.