Hansel and Gretel

The story

Once upon a time, at the edge of a great forest, a poor woodcutter lived with his two children — his son Hansel and his daughter Gretel. Food grew scarce, and when Hansel overheard a plan to lead them deep into the woods and leave them, he waited until all was quiet, then crept outside. Under the moonlight he filled his pockets with small white pebbles that shone like stars, and tiptoed back to bed.

The next morning their father led them far into the trees, lit a small fire, and quietly walked away. Evening fell, and Gretel began to cry. "Don't be afraid," Hansel whispered. "When the moon rises, the pebbles will show us the way." And so they did — every stone gleaming in the moonlight, leading the children safely home.

Their father hugged them tight, but the second time they were taken into the forest, the pockets were locked and Hansel could only scatter crumbs of bread along the path. The birds of the forest, knowing nothing of sorrow or plans, had pecked up every crumb before dark. Hansel and Gretel walked on and on, deeper and deeper, until their feet ached and their stomachs were empty, and they did not know which way was home.

After a long and hungry day, a sweet smell drifted through the trees. There stood a little cottage unlike any they had seen: gingerbread walls swirled with icing, a cake-slab roof, windows clear as spun sugar, and a chimney of candy. The children nibbled in wonder — Hansel broke off a piece of the wall, Gretel nibbled the window ledge — too tired and hungry to stop.

Then the door opened and an old woman came out, grey-bunned and round-spectacled, her voice as sweet as honey. She welcomed them inside, fed them and tucked them in. But in the morning Hansel found himself locked inside a sturdy wooden cage. The old woman was a witch with poor eyesight and a fine nose for plump little children. She kept Hansel well-fed and told Gretel to cook, then came to the cage each day to feel Hansel's finger and check if he was fat enough yet. Hansel always pushed out a small bone, and the witch, puzzled, thought he was still too thin.

At last the witch's patience ran out. She fired up the great oven and ordered Gretel to check if it was hot enough. Gretel's heart hammered, but she said calmly, "I've never looked inside an oven — could you show me how?" As the witch bent forward to peer in, Gretel gave her one firm push, shut the oven door with a bang, and ran to break open her brother's cage. Hansel leapt out and held his sister tight. Together they found a chest of pearls and jewels in the house, filled their pockets, and walked away into the forest without looking back.

A wide stretch of water barred their way. There was no bridge and no boat — only a white duck gliding across the still surface. Gretel asked softly, and the duck carried her to the far bank, then returned for Hansel. The water sparkled as they crossed, the trees thinned, and soon they caught sight of their own roof. Their father threw open the door and held them close, eyes bright with tears. The stepmother had gone. The children tipped out the jewels, and the little room was filled with light. From that day on, they were never hungry again.