B1. Hansel & Gretel: Part 2

Chapter 5: The Strange Old Woman

Inside, the house was full of delicious foods: apples, milk, pancakes and nuts. The children ate until they were full. They told the woman the sad story of how they were abandoned.

"You poor dears," the woman said kindly. "You can stay here with me. Eat as much as you like! You need to get strong."

At first, Hansel and Gretel were happy, but they soon noticed strange things. The woman was very old, much older than any person they'd seen before. Her eyes were red, and she kept looking at them in a funny way. Her vision was poor, but she had an incredible sense of smell, more like an animal.

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One night, Hansel pretended to sleep. The strange woman opened his bedroom door.

He heard her say, "Plump children make the best dinner!"

After she closed the door, Hansel whispered to Gretel, "Sister, I think she's a witch."

Gretel's eyes widened with fear. "What should we do?" she asked.

But before they could make a plan, the witch grabbed them both!

 

Chapter 6: The Witch's Evil Plan

The witch threw Hansel into a small cage and locked him in. "You're too skinny," she said. "I'll fatten you up before I eat you!"

She made Gretel work all day, cooking and baking. "Cook lots of food for your brother," the witch said. "I want him nice and plump!"

Each day, the witch checked if Hansel was fat enough. But clever Hansel showed her an old bone instead of his finger, tricking her poor eyesight. "Still too thin!" the witch said.

After four weeks, the witch grew impatient. "I'll eat him tomorrow, no matter how thin he is!" she said.

The children were terrified. They needed a plan, and fast.

 

Chapter 7: Gretel's Clever Plan

The next morning, the witch was excited. "Today's the day!" she laughed. "Light the oven, Gretel. We're going to have a feast!"

Gretel lit the fire, her hands shaking. Suddenly, she had an idea to save her brother!

Gretel turned on the oven and said to the witch, "Excuse me, I'm not sure if the oven is working. Can you check it for me?"

"Stupid girl!" the witch laughed. "You can't do anything right." The witch walked over to the oven.

The witch said, "You just lean in like this." The witch leaned into the oven to check it.

Gretel went behind the witch. This was her chance! Her heart was beating so loudly she feared the witch might even hear it.

 

Chapter 8: Freedom at Last

Gretel pushed the witch as hard as she could. The witch fell into the hot oven! Gretel tried to close the oven door, but she couldn't because the witch held onto the sides with her long arms.

The witch would not let go!

With all her strength, Gretel kicked her foot down on the witch's bony shoulders. Finally, the witch let go and fell fully into the oven. Her scream echoed around the house.

Gretel closed the oven door and quickly fastened the bolt.

Then, Gretel ran to her brother's cage and unlocked it. "We're safe now!" she cried, hugging her brother.

Then, Hansel and Gretel looked around the witch's house. They found jewels, gold coins, and pearls.

"Look!" said Hansel. "The witch was rich!"

"Let's take it all," said Gretel. "We've earned it after everything she did to us." They filled their pockets with treasure.

 

Chapter 9: Finding the Way Back

Hansel and Gretel left the witch's house. They soon reached a wide river that Hansel recognized.

How will we cross it? he wondered. The water was too deep and fast to swim across.

Then, they saw a friendly-looking duck swimming in the river.

"Little duck, little duck, please help us cross!" Hansel called out.

The kind duck carried them across the river, one at a time, safely to the other side.

On the other side of the river, the forest began to look familiar. "We’re getting closer to home!" Gretel said excitedly.

 

Chapter 10: A Father's Forgiveness

Finally, the children recognized the path. The trees now appeared greener, and the sky seemed brighter than it ever did before. They ran home as fast as they could.

Their father sat on the front porch. He looked like he hadn't slept for many days. When he saw his children, he burst into tears. "Can you ever forgive me?" he whispered.

"We will try," said Gretel.

They ran into their father's arms and hugged tightly. Their father said, "I’m so sorry, my dear children, my heart is so heavy with regret."

"We still love you, father," said Hansel and Gretel.

After learning their stepmother had fallen ill and died, the children showed their father all the treasures they had found.

"We'll never be poor again," said Gretel happily.

Hansel and Gretel knew their little house, once desperate and cold, would now be filled with laughter and warmth.

The end.