Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

After three years of failed crops, Hansel and Gretel's family had no food left but some moldy potatoes. Their father grew weak, and their stepmother grew thin and sharp. Gretel was so young that she did not even remember the good times. One morning, Father called the children. " Come with me for a walk in the woods, " he said. Gretel happily followed, but Hansel caught a glimpse of his stepmother's face watching from the window. He got a very bad feeling.

“ Where are we going?" Hansel asked as Father led them deeper into the forest. " Shush, " said Father, secretly squeezing a small crust of bread into Hansel's hand. " This is our last bit of bread, " he whispered. Hansel wanted to gobble it down, but he could feel that something was wrong. Though his mouth watered, he decided to tear the bread into crumbs and drop them as he walked. He marked a path as the three headed deeper into the forest.

Finally, Father stopped, his voice shaking. " We don't have enough to feed you anymore, " he said. “ There's a village not far away where you can go. " With that, he vanished between the trees. Gretel cried out and chased him but soon fell behind. " Look, I made a path, " Hansel said, pointing to the breadcrumbs. His sister sniffled bravely as they turned toward home.

" You didn't make a very good path, " Gretel pouted. Hansel thought he'd dropped enough crumbs, but he kept losing the way. Then he saw a sparrow swoop down, grab a crumb, and fly off. They could not find the path. " “ Birds ate your crumbs-we're lost! " Gretel cried. Hansel tried to stay calm, but the forest was growing gloomy. " Let's try to find that village, " he said. They walked for a long time. Hansel was almost sure Father had lied to them, when suddenly he spotted a clearing ahead.

In a meadow was the most remarkable thing-a cottage made entirely of sweets! The children stumbled toward it, their stomachs grumbling with hunger. Gretel took a chocolate shingle. The sweetness of a frosting icicle almost made Hansel dizzy. They didn't hear the door swing open. “ Do I hear little mouths nibbling on my house?" a sweet voice said. It was a tiny old woman with cloudy eyes calling to them. " Please, come in! " she offered. Hansel and Gretel happily followed her inside.