Fictional wolf’s disguise crossword

In the old story "Little Red Riding Hood," the wolf dresses up as the girl's Grandmother - that disguise drives the plot. The wolf changes from a feared hunter into a gentle old woman, which shows how well it tricks others. The crossword clue draws on the tale that still holds listeners of every age. The wolf puts on the Grandmother's clothes so that Little Red Riding Hood relaxes letting the hunter move within reach. The wolf slips into the role of a trusted person and shows both brains and flexibility. The crossword asks solvers to spot the trick plus see the enemy for what it is. Outside this single tale, the idea of a "fictional wolf's disguise" points to a wider pattern in stories. Authors often use masks and lies to build suspense, strain but also sudden turns. The clue invites solvers to consider the broad device of a killer who hides its face. The answer "GRANDMA" sums up the wolf's whole trick. By wearing the Grandmother's shape, the wolf enters the heroine's home and prepares the final clash. The clue playfully salutes the lasting force of the tale as well as dares solvers to look past the surface and find the wolf beneath.