This is a fairy tale we’re all familiar with, where a little girl goes into the woods alone, gets lost, finds possible shelter, and helps herself to what was available. When it was written, her actions would have never been considered wrong or dangerous because bears – even though they were personified – were not seen as human and therefore not as significant. Using their things and wrecking their home couldn’t have a consequence.

Today, however, would Goldilocks or the bears have a different outcome? Let’s reverse the personification and make the bears people and update the setting to a home in the suburbs or apartment in the city. First of all, would it have been wise for Goldilocks to be wandering around in either environment? And if she was, would it be considered breaking and entering and then theft and vandalism? Or, depending on who the owners or renters were, would there be a consequence?

And what about the bears/homeowners/renters: How would they be perceived? Would it be justified if they treated her as a burglar and vandal, either by calling the police or retaliating?