[Sample - Folktales / Mythology] Hansel and Gretel – Two Children Encounter a Witch in a House Made of Candy

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled on the edge of a dark forest, there lived a brother and sister named Hanseland Gretel. They lived with their father, a humble woodcutter, and their stepmother, who was unkind and bitter. The family struggled with poverty, and there was never enough food to go around. One day, in a moment of cruel selfishness, the stepmother suggested a terrible idea to the woodcutter: they should abandon Hansel and Gretel in the forest so that there would be fewer mouths to feed.

The woodcutter, torn between his love for his children and his desperation to survive, reluctantly agreed. He took Hansel and Gretel deep into the forest, and when they were far from the village, he left them behind, telling them to wait while he went to fetch some wood. But the children soon realized that they had been abandoned.

As night fell, the forest became darker and more frightening. Hansel, clever and resourceful, had left a trail of breadcrumbs behind to find their way back, but when they turned to retrace their steps, the birds had eaten all the crumbs. Lost and frightened, they wandered deeper into the forest, unsure of what to do.

The Discovery of the Candy House

Just as Hansel and Gretel were beginning to lose hope, they saw something in the distance—a small house, standing in the middle of the forest, unlike anything they had ever seen before. The house was made entirely of candy—the walls were made of gingerbread, the roof was covered with chocolate tiles, and the windows were sugary candy panes. The children, who had not eaten in hours, were drawn to it, their stomachs growling with hunger. They eagerly approached the house, and without hesitation, they broke off pieces of the walls and began to nibble on the delicious treat.

Unbeknownst to them, the house belonged to a wicked witch who lived alone in the forest. This witch, known for her cunning and cruelty, had a special talent for luring lost children into her home. The moment she saw Hansel and Gretel munching on her candy-covered house, she knew she had found her next victims.

The Witch’s Trap

The witch, disguised as a sweet old woman, invited the children into her home. “Come inside, my dear children,” she said, her voice dripping with false kindness. “You must be hungry and tired. Rest here, and I’ll make you something to eat.” Hansel and Gretel, so starved and desperate for kindness, followed her inside without hesitation.

Once inside, the witch revealed her true, terrifying nature. She had long, bony fingers and a hideously wrinkled face. She locked the door behind them and grinned wickedly, telling them that they would be staying in her house forever. The witch had a dark plan: she meant to fatten Hansel up and eat him, while keeping Gretel as her servant.

The next day, she placed Hansel in a cage made of iron and began to feed him as much food as she could. Every day, she would check if he was fat enough for her to feast on. Meanwhile, poor Gretel was forced to do the witch’s bidding, cooking and cleaning in the kitchen, though she never stopped thinking about how to escape.

The Clever Plan

Days passed, and Gretel grew more and more desperate, but she was also clever. She saw how the witch would check Hansel’s progress by asking him to stick out his finger so that she could feel if he had grown fat enough. Hansel, quick-witted, began to offer the witch a bone instead of his finger, tricking her into thinking that he was still too thin to eat.

One day, when the witch became frustrated with the “thinness” of Hansel, she decided to cook him right away, regardless of whether he was fat enough. She told Gretel to light the oven and prepare for a feast. But Gretel had one last trick up her sleeve. She pretended not to understand how to work the oven and said, “I don’t know how to open the door to put Hansel in. Can you show me?”

The witch, eager to cook her meal, leaned over to demonstrate. In that moment, Gretel pushed the witch into the oven, slamming the door shut. The witch screamed and struggled, but she was trapped inside, where she was finally defeated.

The Return Home

With the witch now vanquished, Hansel and Gretel were free. They explored the witch’s house, finding treasures hidden inside—gold and jewels that would help them on their journey. They filled their pockets and left the house, following the path back through the forest.

Soon, they came across a familiar sight—their father, who had been searching for them, with tears in his eyes. He had regretted abandoning them and had been unable to find them in the vast forest. When the children returned home, they told their father about the witch’s terrible plan and how they had outsmarted her.

Their stepmother, however, was not pleased with their return. But she had vanished mysteriously, never to be seen again. With their father’s love and the treasure they had found, Hansel and Gretel never wanted for food again. They lived happily ever after, safe from harm, knowing that their cleverness and bravery had saved them.

The Legacy of the Tale of Hansel and Gretel

The story of Hansel and Gretel has been passed down for generations, reminding us of the strength of wit, courage, and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. It teaches that even in the darkest of times, cleverness can outwit evil and that kindness and determination can bring about the ultimate triumph over evil forces.

The house made of candy, so delicious and tempting, serves as a warning not to fall for appearances, as danger can hide behind sweetness. The tale also emphasizes the importance of siblings sticking together, for Hansel and Gretel’s survival was not only thanks to their intelligence but also their bond with each other. Together, they overcame the witch’s wicked plans and found their way back home.

Sound Effect Recommendations:

• Part 1 (The Discovery of the Candy House): Gentle, whimsical music with the sound of crackling candy and crunching as Hansel and Gretel eagerly break off pieces from the house, symbolizing their excitement and hunger.

• Part 2 (The Witch’s Trap): Dark, eerie music with the sound of a door creaking and a cold, menacing voice calling to the children, representing the witch’s true, evil nature.

• Part 3 (The Clever Plan): Tense, suspenseful music with faint whispers and rustling, symbolizing Gretel’s growing realization and her clever plan to outwit the witch.

• Part 4 (The Witch’s Demise and Escape): Triumphant, victorious music with the sound of an oven door slamming shut, followed by the witch’s distant, fading screams.

• Part 5 (The Return Home): Heartwarming, uplifting music with the sound of birds chirping and soft footsteps, representing the children’s safe return home and their father’s relief.