Hansel and Gretel

A long time ago, two children lived near a big forest. The boy’s name was Hansel. His sister’s name was Gretel.

The children’s father, Hans, was a woodcutter. He cut down trees in the forest and made beautiful toys and furniture, bowls and boxes. He sold them in the market. He worked very hard. Hansel and Gretel helped their mother, Greta, in the house and garden. They were poor but they were happy.

One day Greta died. ‘Oh dear!’ said Hans. ‘Now my children have no mother!’ He was ver sad.

One day Hans met a woman in the market. Her name was Anna. After a short time, Hans asked Anna, ‘Will you marry me?’

‘Yes!’ answered Anna.

Soon they were married.

‘This is your new mother,’ said Hans to the children.

Anna was nice to Hansel and Gretel when Hans was at home, but she often hit them when Hans was at work. They tried to tell Hans but he did not want to listen to them. Hansel and Gretel were very sad.

One night, the children were in bed. They heard Anna’s angry voice in the kitchen.

‘They’re bad, naughty children,’ she said. ‘And we haven’t got enough food for them to eat. Hans, you must leave them in the middle of the forest.’

‘No, I can’t! They are my children,’ said Hans. Anna cried and shouted, ‘But I don’t like them!’

Hans was tired. ‘Oh, all right,’ he said. ‘I’ll leave them in the forest tomorrow. Now, be quiet. I want to sleep.’