Hänsel and Gretel are the children of a poor woodcutter. When a great famine settles over the land, the woodcutter's second wife decides to take the children into the woods. She wants to leave them there to fend for themselves, so that she and her husband do not starve. The woodcutter opposes the plan but finally, accepts his wife's plan. They are unaware that Hänsel and Gretel have overheard them. Hänsel sneaks out of the house and gathers as many white pebbles as he can, then returns to his room, reassuring Gretel that God will not forsake them.
The next day, the family walks deep into the woods and Hänsel lays a trail of white pebbles. After their parents abandon them, the children wait for the moon to rise and then they followed the pebbles back home. They return home safely. Soon provisions become scarce and the stepmother orders her husband to take the children further into the woods and leave them there to die. Hänsel and Gretel attempt to gather more pebbles, but find the doors locked. In the morning, the family goes into the woods. Hänsel takes a slice of bread and leaves a trail of bread crumbs for them to follow home. But the birds have eaten the crumbs and the children are lost alone in the woods. After days of wandering, they come to a clearing in the woods, and discover a cottage built of gingerbread and cakes with window of clear sugar. The children begin to eat of the candy house, when the door opens and an old woman comes out. She lures the children inside by promising them soft beds and food. They follow her inside without knowing that the woman is a wicked witch who cooks and eats children. The witch locks Hänsel in an iron cage and forces Gretel to become her slave. The witch feeds Hänsel regularly to make him fatter. She checks on his wight regualary, but she can't see very good any more so she wants Hänsel to strech out his finger for her to feel. Hänsel cleverly offers a bone he found in the cage, so the witch thinks Hänsel is still too thin to eat. After weeks the witch grows impatient and decides to eat Hänsel anyway. She prepares the oven for Hänsel, but decides she is hungry enough to eat Gretel, too. She forces Gretel to the open oven and to lean over to see if the fire is hot enough. Gretel, sensing the witch's intent, pretends not to understand what she means. The witch demonstrates and Gretel instantly shoves her into the oven, where the witch dies. Gretel frees Hänsel and the pair discover a box full of treasures. They take the treasure and set off for home. With the helps of birds the yget home, where they find only their father; his wife died. Their father had spent his dayscrying over the loss of his children, and is happy to see them. With the witch's wealth, they all live happily ever after. |