Hansel and Gretel

Left in the forest, Hansel and Gretel find their way home by moonlit white pebbles, but the next time birds eat their breadcrumbs and they come to a house of bread and cake. The old woman inside is a wicked witch, until clever Gretel tricks her and the children return home to their father.

Scene 1: The Woodcutter’s Cottage

Hansel and Gretel. Near a great forest lived a poor woodcutter with his two children, Hansel and Gretel. There was no bread left. One night, their stepmother said: “We must leave the children deep in the forest.” Their father was sad, but he gave in. And the hungry children heard every word.

Scene 2: White Pebbles

Gretel cried, but Hansel whispered: “Don’t cry, Gretel. I will find a way.” That night, Hansel slipped outside. The white pebbles by the house glittered like silver in the moonlight. He filled his pockets, and the next day he dropped them one by one along the forest path.

Scene 3: Home by Moonlight

Deep in the forest, the children were left by a fire, and they fell asleep. When they woke, it was dark night. But when the full moon rose, the pebbles shone like silver and showed them the way home. Their father was so glad to see them!

Scene 4: Breadcrumbs

Soon times were hard again. This time the door was locked, so Hansel dropped breadcrumbs instead. But when the moon rose, the crumbs were gone. The birds had eaten them all! Hansel and Gretel were lost in the deep, dark wood.

Scene 5: The House of Bread and Cake

On the third day, a snow-white bird led them to a little house. It was made of bread, with a roof of cake and windows of sugar! Hansel nibbled the roof, and Gretel nibbled the window. Then a thin voice called: “Nibble, nibble, like a mouse, who is nibbling at my house?” The children answered: “Never mind, it is the wind.”

Scene 6: The Old Woman

Out came an old woman on a crutch. She gave them pancakes and two little white beds. But she was really a wicked witch, who had built her sweet house to catch children. She shut Hansel in a cage, to make him plump. Every morning she cried: “Hansel, stretch out your finger!” But the witch could not see well, and clever Hansel held out a little bone.

Scene 7: Gretel’s Trick

At last the witch grew tired of waiting. She lit the oven and said to Gretel: “Creep in, and see if it is hot enough.” But Gretel guessed her plan, and said: “I don’t know how. How do I get in?” The witch cried: “Silly goose! I could get in myself!” And she put her head inside. Then Gretel gave her a push, and shut the iron door with a bang. The wicked witch was never seen again.

Scene 8: Home Again

Gretel set Hansel free, and they danced for joy. They filled their pockets with the witch’s pearls and jewels. A white duck carried them over a wide lake. At last they saw their father’s house, and ran into his arms. The stepmother was gone. All their troubles were over, and they lived together in great joy. Brave and clever together, Hansel and Gretel found their way home.

Moral: Brave and clever together, Hansel and Gretel found their way home.

Questions about Hansel and Gretel

What did Hansel drop on the path the first time?

White pebbles.

What happened to the breadcrumbs?

The birds ate them all.

What was the little house in the forest made of?

Bread, cake and sugar.

What did Hansel hold out instead of his finger?

A little bone.

Who carried the children over the wide lake?

A white duck.