Hansel and Gretel

Once there was a woodcutter, his wife, and two children named Hansel and Gretel. Their small home stood by a great forest. Times were hard, and food was scarce. At night the parents whispered about how to manage their meals. Hansel and Gretel listened and held each other close. Hansel said, Be calm, little sister. I have a plan. When the moon was bright, he stepped outside and filled his pockets with small white stones that shone like tiny lamps. Early the next morning the family walked into the forest. The air was cool and the birds sang. The parents gave the children a little bread and asked them to rest by a warm fire while they went to cut wood.

As they walked, Hansel quietly dropped the white stones one by one along the path. When the sun went down, the parents did not return. Gretel felt afraid, but Hansel smiled and said, We can follow the stones. The stones glittered in the moonlight like a string of stars. Step by step, the children found the way home. Their father hugged them with relief, and everyone slept safely that night. Soon the food ran low again. The next day they went back to the forest. Hansel had no time to gather stones, so he broke his bread into tiny crumbs and dropped them along the path. The children waited by a small fire and sang soft songs to feel brave.

But when they tried to follow the crumbs, they could not see them. The birds had eaten every crumb. Hansel and Gretel were lost. They walked and walked. The trees whispered and the leaves rustled. The moon rose and looked friendly. They found a tall tree, curled up together, and slept. In the morning they discovered a little house. The roof looked like cookies, the windows like clear sugar, and the fence like crisp pretzels. Hansel touched a corner. Tap, tap. It was sweet as honey. A gentle voice called from inside, Dear children, come in and warm yourselves. A woman with a shawl opened the door. The kitchen smelled of milk and warm rolls.

She gave them soup, berries, and a cozy bed. Hansel and Gretel thanked her with bright smiles. The next day, the woman became serious. She wanted the children to do many chores. Sweep here, polish there, carry water, she said. Her voice was sharp, and the work never seemed to end. Hansel and Gretel were polite and tried their best, but they missed their father and their little home. Gretel whispered, We should go back. Hansel nodded. They made a plan. Gretel asked, May we take the bread crusts outside for the birds? The woman agreed and opened the heavy door. In a flash, the children took each other by the hand, thanked the woman for the meal, and ran down the path.

The forest felt friendly again. Birds fluttered above as if showing the way. At last they reached a wide river. A white duck floated near the shore. Hansel said, Little duck, can you help us cross? The duck nodded and carried them over, one at a time, safe and dry. On the other side they saw a path that looked familiar. The trees opened like a welcome gate. Soon their cottage appeared. Their father hurried out, tears in his eyes. My dear children, you are home! he cried. He hugged them again and again. The family shared a simple supper of warm soup and fresh bread. The woodcutter found steady work, and the kitchen shelf was never empty again.

Hansel and Gretel told their father about the shining stones, the sweet little house, the white duck, and the kind birds. They all promised to stay together and to talk about worries in a kind and honest way. From that day on, the children helped with chores, counted loaves, and saved what they could. They learned that brave hearts, clever plans, and caring for one another can guide anyone home. And whenever the moon shone over the forest, Hansel and Gretel remembered how bright and helpful even the smallest stones can be.