Hansel and Gretel

Once upon a time, a poor woodcutter lived with his two children, Hansel and Gretel, near a great forest. Their stepmother was unkind and said, "We cannot feed them anymore. Leave them in the forest." Hansel heard her plan. That night, he slipped outside and filled his pockets with shiny white pebbles. The next day, when they were left in the forest, Hansel had dropped the pebbles along the path, and by their shine in the moonlight, the children found their way home.

Lost in the Forest

But the stepmother tried again. This time Hansel could only drop breadcrumbs, and the hungry birds ate them all. The children were truly lost. They walked for three days until they came upon the most wonderful sight: a little house made of gingerbread, with candy windows and a cake roof! "Yum!" cried Gretel, nibbling a window. "Yum!" cried Hansel, tasting the door.

Suddenly the door opened, and out came a sweet-voiced old woman. "Come in, dear children! I have pancakes and warm beds!" But she was really a wicked witch who ate children! She locked Hansel in a cage to fatten him up, and made Gretel do all the cooking and cleaning. Every day she felt Hansel's finger to see if he was plump enough to eat.

The Clever Plan

Hansel was clever. He held out a thin chicken bone instead of his finger, and the witch, whose eyes were weak, thought he was still too skinny. One morning, the witch was tired of waiting. "Gretel!" she shouted. "Climb into the oven and see if it is hot enough!" But Gretel understood the wicked plan. "I don't know how," she said. "Show me!" The witch leaned into the oven to show her — and quick, brave Gretel pushed her in and slammed the door!

The children found the witch's treasure of gold and jewels and filled their pockets. Then they ran home, where their father wept with joy to see them. Their stepmother was gone, and with the treasure, they never went hungry again.

The Kind White Duck

Hungry and tired, the children wandered deeper into the forest. Their feet were sore, and Gretel began to cry softly. "Don't cry," said Hansel, holding her hand. "We will find a way." Just then they heard a sweet smell in the air — cinnamon and sugar! They followed it and found the gingerbread house. After their adventure with the witch, when they started for home with pockets full of treasure, they came to a wide river with no bridge.

"How will we cross?" asked Gretel. Just then a beautiful white duck swam up. "Quack! Climb on my back, one at a time, and I will carry you across," she said kindly. First Hansel rode over, then the duck came back for Gretel. On the far bank, they thanked the duck and hurried on. Soon they saw their father's cottage through the trees, with smoke curling from the chimney, and they ran the last little way home.

Moral of the Story

Stay brave and think cleverly when you are afraid. With courage and quick wits, even the biggest trouble can be overcome.