Once upon a time,
long ago, there lived a lumberjack with his children by the edge of a faraway forest.
The son was named Hansel and the daughter was named Gretel.
The lumberjack’s wife, the children’s mother had died so they were going through very hard times.
As they were also a very poor family, they survived only on the herbs and fruits that they collected from the forest.
The children never complained about this situation and always tried to support their father.
One day there was a knock on the door and a woman holding a huge bottle of milk appeared before them.
I’ve come from the neighbor forest. My house burnt down, and I have no place to stay.
I’ve also brought a cow with me. If I give you this bottle of milk and the cow, could I stay with you?
The father and children happily accepted this offer.
At least they were now going to have a cow that could give them milk every day.
After some time, their father married this woman.
Yet their impoverished life continued.
One night as the children went to bed, husband and wife started arguing.
But Hansel was secretly listening to them.
Look at us, how can we feed the kids like this?
I’m helpless; I don’t know what else to do.
Well, I actually have an idea that could benefit us all, but I don’t know if you’d accept.
Tomorrow, let’s take the kids to the forest and tell them that we’re going to collect wood and we’ll light a fire,
give each of them a loaf of bread and leave them there.
Don’t be ridiculous, I love my children.
How could I abandon them?
Don’t worry; they’re a lot older now. They can take care of themselves.
When our situation gets better, we’ll search for them.
If not, all four of us will starve to death.
Hansel was a very smart child.
So when he heard his stepmother’s plans, he secretly left the house to collect pebbles.
His mother that had passed away taught him this.
She had told him that the shining pebbles at night will show you the way.
In the morning, their stepmother woke the children up.
Hansel, Gretel, wake up!
We’re going to the forest. We need to collect wood for fire.
The first thing Hansel did when he woke up was to put the pebble stones in his pocket.
As they walked to the forest, he secretly dropped the pebble stones to the ground.
They headed all the way into the depths of the forest.
When they stopped to rest, their stepmother and father lit a fire,
put some bread next to them and started to walk away.
Children, you rest a little by the fire.
Me and your father will collect some wood and come back.
Their father was very sad, but helplessly he followed his wife towards the path home.
He turned his head and looked at his children for the last time.
I will get my kids back at the first opportunity.
The children watched and watched their stepmother and father until they were out of sight.
Realizing that their stepmother and father would not be coming back,
the tired children fell asleep by the fire.
When they woke up, it was very late and the moon was glowing brightly.
I’m so scared brother. What are we going to do?
I don’t think anyone’s coming to find us.
Don’t be scared Gretel,
the pebble stones I left in the moonlight shine brightly.
We can follow them and go back home.
The children walked all night long and finally they arrived at their father’s home.
The pebble stones had shown them the way.
Their stepmother that opened the door stared in surprise!
What were you doing in the forest till this hour?
We looked all over for you and couldn’t find you.
I bet you were being mischievous and hiding somewhere, weren’t you?
Thus, pretending and fooling the kids.
The father happily hugged his children.
Thank Heavens, you’ve come back! My eyes are swollen from crying all night.
But their stepmother wasn’t giving up easily.
Her only goal was to get rid of the children.
She asked them how they had found their way back home
and Gretel told her everything one by one.
Now that she knew how they came back home, she locked them in their room that night.
That night Hansel couldn’t go out to collect pebble stones.
The next day, they went to the forest again.
This time, since Hansel didn’t have pebble stones,
while he was walking, he was dropping the breadcrumbs in his pocket on to the ground.
The same thing happened, and the children waited by the fire once again.
I’m so scared Hansel; it’s very dark again.
Let’s go back home!
Don’t worry. I couldn’t collect pebble stones, but this time we’ll follow the breadcrumbs that I dropped.
But when they set off, there were no breadcrumbs.
Because the birds had eaten all of them.
...but... but, where’s all the bread?
They went in and out everywhere, but they couldn't find the way.
No, way!
What are we going to do now, Hansel? Think of something, and I’m so cold!
Okay Gretel, don’t worry.
First, let’s find somewhere to warm up.
One way or another, we’ll find the way back home.
Both completely frightened and exhausted, they found a hollow tree and got inside to warm up.
They fell asleep hugging one another.
In the morning, they kept walking around the forest not knowing where to go.
Two days passed by.
Whichever way the kids went, they just couldn’t find the way.
Later, they saw a bird on a tree branch.
Ohh look, what a beautiful bird!
It’s as if it wants to say something to us.
Do you think it’ll show us the right way?
Let’s follow it.
It was a big magnificent blue bird.
The children, forgetting how tired they were, started following the bird.
They saw that the bird had landed on the windowsill of a house.
Wow! What a beautiful house!
It’s as if the bird is calling us to come.
Come on what are we waiting for? Let’s go.
We might find something to eat.
When they approached the house,
they were completely baffled.
It was a beautiful house made entirely of chocolate, cake and candy.
The windows were made out of cream and the roof was covered in colorful candies.
They started biting away at the house and tearing pieces off.
I’m going to tear off a little from the window side Gretel!
Mmmm....delicious!
I’m curious about the candies hanging from the roof.
You should taste the doorbell too!
This way they filled their bellies with cake, sweets, cream, and chocolate.
Hey,
anyone there?
Huhu, we’re here!
Helplessly, they decided to sit and wait by the door.
A little while later a sweet faced, lovely woman holding a bag walked into the garden.
Oh, it seems I have guests!
Welcome! My bluebird gave me the news a few minutes ago.
So I came as fast as I could.
We’re sorry.
We’ve eaten a few things from your house without permission, but me and my sister have been really hungry for two days.
It’s okay. My house is very special.
The parts you have eaten grow back right away.
Come on, go inside, You must be cold.
Also, if you don’t have a home, you can stay with me.
That night, she had them sleep in wonderful beds,
and the next day, she prepared a delicious breakfast.
Actually, this beautiful woman was an evil witch with treacherous plans.
When she went to wake up the kids,
Hansel and Gretel who saw a horrifying witch in front of them,
were screaming and wanted to escape from the room.
But, the witch captured Hansel and threw him in a cage, and locked the door.
She then threw Gretel into the kitchen.
Hahaha! You stupid kids! You fell for my house made of candy!
Go on then, cook the meals that you and your brother like.
Get fat, so I can fill my belly more when I eat you.
Go on and get started!
Since both children were incredibly clever, in order to not get fat, they only ate enough to survive.
Gretel threw away the food on her plate when the witch was not looking,
and Hansel hid the food in his jacket and trouser pockets.
Gretel come here. Let’s see if you’ve gotten any fatter.
The witch first picked up Gretel to check her weight.
You’re such a skinny girl!
You think that by staying like this, you’ll manage to free yourselves from me?
The witch pulled Hansel from his jacket.
As she was checking him from outside the bars,
the food in his jacket and trousers fell out.
The witch immediately realized what was going on.
You thought you could trick me, ha? I changed my mind!
I’m not going to wait until you get fat. I’m going to cook both of you in the oven today.
Let this be your punishment! Hahaha!
She was so furious, that she kept banging herself into things while she was strangling around the house.
Because the witch was actually blind.
It was then that Gretel realized that the witch couldn’t see.
She was by the stove both crying and also planning on how they can escape.
Gretel, come here quick. Take a look at the big oven in the kitchen.
Tell me, is there enough wood inside?
The fire was burning hot, but Gretel tricked the witch.
The fire is about to go out my lady.
Then throw in more wood! Quick!
The oven door is stuck; I can’t open it!
What a useless girl you are. Skinny, and useless! Here, it’s this simple.
The witch then opened the oven door.
The heat of the burning wood hit her face.
What’s going on? You said there was no fire!
The witch stretched her hand out towards the oven to understand what was happening.
Taking this opportunity, Gretel pushed the witch into the oven with all her might.
Aaaaaaagh!
When the old witch fell into the oven, she closed and locked the door.
The witch’s screams could be heard from all around.
Aaaaaa….
Help! Help!
Gretel opened Hansel’s cage and let him out.
Both siblings hugged each other tightly.
They were very happy.
My dear sister, well done! We’re now saved because of you!
ha ha ha ha!
Gretel come on, let’s see if we can find something to use at home before we get out of here.
They wandered around the house together.
There was a door to a room that the witch never allowed to be opened.
When they opened it, they saw a chest full of jewels.
Ha ha ha…let’s fill our pockets right away,
we’ll have jewels instead of food this time!
They quickly got away from the house and entered the forest;
it was as if all the paths were familiar.
Finally, they saw their house from afar.
Father!
We’re here!
The father that opened the door, happily hugged his children. He was so happy.
Children, I have some news for you.
Your stepmother got ill and passed away.
I made a huge mistake by listening to her, please forgive me.
I’ve missed you so very much.
I regret everything.
We’ve missed you too, Father. We missed our home and beds, too.
Now we can forget about everything and be together!
They took the jewels out of their pockets and gave them to their father.
Their father stared with surprise.
What are these?!?
We’re no longer poor! We’re rich!
Father, we have so much to tell you!
You have no idea what we’ve been through.
That night they sat by the fire and chatted till morning.
The bad days were left behind.
So, they all lived a happy and peaceful life.