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Hansel and Grethel

012-hansel-and-grethel

Source URL https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~spok/grimmtmp/012.txt
Review Status Pending
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Child Rewrite

Displayed from child_friendly_chunks

Near a big, green forest lived a poor woodcutter with his wife and two children. The boy was Hansel and the girl was Gretel. They did not have much food. One day, there was no bread at all. The woodcutter was very worried. He looked at his wife and said, "What will we do? How can we feed the children when we have nothing?" His wife thought for a moment. Then she said, "Tomorrow morning, we will take the children deep into the forest. We will make a warm fire for them and give them a little bread. Then we will go to work and leave them there.

They will not find the way back home, and then we will be free of them. "No, wife," said the man. "I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children all alone in the forest? The wild animals would come and hurt them." "Oh, you silly man," said she. "Then we will all starve to death. You might as well cut the wood for our coffins." She would not stop nagging him until he agreed. "But I feel so sad for the poor children," said the man.

The two children were too hungry to sleep. They had heard what their stepmother said to their father. Gretel cried big, sad tears. She said, "Now everything is over for us." Hansel put his arm around her. "Be quiet, Gretel," he said. "Do not be sad. I will find a way to help us." When the parents fell fast asleep, Hansel got up. He put on his little coat and opened the door. He crept quietly outside. The moon was bright, and the white pebbles in front of the house sparkled like shiny silver coins. Hansel bent down and filled his coat pocket with as many as he could hold. Then he went back to Gretel. "Be brave, dear sister," he said. "Sleep well. God will not leave us alone." He lay down in his bed and closed his eyes.

When the sun began to peek over the hills, the woman woke the two children up. She told them to get moving, saying, "Come on, you sleepyheads. We are going into the woods to gather wood." She gave them each a small piece of bread and said, "Here is your lunch, but do not eat it yet. You will not get anything else to eat." Gretel hid her bread under her apron, just like Hansel hid his pebbles in his pocket. Then, they all walked together toward the forest. After they had walked for a little while, Hansel stopped and looked back at the house. He did this again and again. His father asked, "Hansel, what are you looking at? Why are you stopping?" "Pay attention," he said, "and do not forget to use your legs.

Oh, Father," said Hansel. "I am looking at my little white cat. It is sitting on the roof and wants to say goodbye to me." The wife laughed. "Silly boy, that is not your cat. It is just the morning sun shining on the roof." Hansel did not look back at the cat. He was busy. He kept taking a white stone from his pocket and dropping it on the path.

When they reached the middle of the forest, the father said, "Now, children, let's gather some wood. I will light a fire so you won't be cold." Hansel and Gretel collected branches and made a big pile. The father lit the fire, and soon the flames were warm and bright. Then the woman said, "Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest. We will go into the woods to cut some wood. When we are done, we will come back and get you.

Hansel and Gretel sat by the warm fire. When noon came, they shared a small piece of bread. They heard the *thump, thump* of an axe and thought their father was coming back. But it was just a branch tied to a tree. The wind was blowing it back and forth. The children were very tired from sitting so long. Their eyes grew heavy, and they fell fast asleep. When they finally woke up, it was dark night. Gretel started to cry. "How will we ever get out of the forest now?" she asked. Hansel held her hand and comforted her. "Just wait a little," he said softly. "When the moon comes up, we will see the way home.

When the bright moon came up, Hansel held his little sister’s hand. He followed the small stones that sparkled like shiny new coins. They showed him the way home.

They walked all through the night. When the sun came up, they were back at their father's house. They knocked on the door. When the woman opened it and saw Hansel and Gretel, she said, "You naughty children, why did you sleep so long in the forest? We thought you were never coming back." The father was very happy to see them. It hurt his heart to leave them all alone.

Soon after, there was not enough food for anyone. The children heard their mother say at night, "We have only a little bit of bread left. We must send the children away. We will take them deep into the woods so they cannot find their way home. We have to do this to save ourselves." The man felt very sad. He thought, "It would be better to share the last bite with my children." But his wife would not listen. She scolded him and would not change her mind. He knew he had to agree, just like he did before.

But the children were still awake. They had heard the whole conversation. When the parents were fast asleep, Hansel tried to get up. He wanted to go out and pick up pebbles like he did before. But the woman had locked the door, so Hansel could not get out. He comforted his little sister and said, "Do not cry, Gretel. Go to sleep quietly. The good God will help us." Early in the morning, the woman woke them up. She gave them their piece of bread, but it was even smaller than the day before. On the way into the forest, Hansel crumbled his bread in his pocket. He stopped often and dropped a little bit on the ground. "Hansel, why do you stop and look around?" asked the father. "Just go on," he said.

I am looking back at my little pigeon sitting on the roof," Hansel said. "It wants to say good-bye to me." "Silence!" said the woman. "That is not your pigeon. It is just the morning sun shining on the chimney." Hansel, however, slowly dropped all his crumbs on the path. The woman led the children deeper into the forest, where they had never been before. Then she made a big fire and said, "Just sit there, my dears. When you are tired, you may sleep a little. We are going to cut wood, and when we finish, we will come back for you." When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel. He had dropped his crumbs along the way.

Then they fell asleep, and the evening passed, but no one came to help the poor children. They did not wake up until it was dark night. Hansel comforted his little sister and said, "Just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises. Then we will see the little crumbs of bread I left on the ground. They will show us the way home again." When the moon came up, they started to walk. But they could not find any crumbs. The many thousands of birds in the woods and fields had eaten them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, "We will find the way soon." But they did not find it. They walked all night and all the next day, from morning until evening. They did not get out of the forest. They were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries that grew on the ground.

And as they were so tired that their legs could not carry them any longer, they lay down beneath a big tree and fell fast asleep.

It had been three days since they left their father's home. They started walking again, but the trees got thicker and thicker. They were very tired and very hungry. Just then, they saw a pretty white bird sitting on a branch. It sang a lovely song that made them stop and listen. When the bird finished singing, it flew away, and the children followed it. It led them to a small house. The bird landed on the roof. When they got closer, they saw the house was made of bread and covered in sweet cakes. The windows were made of clear sugar. "Let's eat!" said Hansel. "We can have a feast.

I will eat a bit of the roof, and you, Gretel, can eat some of the window. It will taste sweet. Hansel reached up and broke off a little piece to try. Gretel leaned against the window and nibbled at the glass. Then a soft voice called from the room, "Nibble, nibble, gnaw. Who is nibbling at my little house?" The children answered, "The wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind," and they went on eating happily. Hansel liked the taste of the roof, so he tore down a big piece. Gretel pushed out the whole round window pane, sat down, and enjoyed it. Suddenly, the door opened. An old woman, who walked with a stick, came out slowly.

Hansel and Gretel were so scared that they dropped the things they were holding. The old woman smiled and said, "Oh, you dear children, who has brought you here? Come in and stay with me. No harm will happen to you." She took them by the hand and led them into her little house. Then, she set out good food for them: milk and pancakes with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterward, she showed them two pretty little beds covered with clean white sheets. Hansel and Gretel lay down in them and felt like they were in heaven.

The old woman was not really kind at all. She was a mean witch who wanted to catch children. She made the little house of bread just to trick them. When she caught a child, she would cook and eat them, and that made her very happy. Witches have red eyes and cannot see very far, but they can smell people from far away. When Hansel and Gretel got close, she laughed and said, "I have them now, and they cannot run away." Before the children even woke up, the witch was already up. She looked at them sleeping and thought, "They look so sweet and chubby. They will be a yummy breakfast.

Then she grabbed Hansel with her old, wrinkled hand. She carried him into a small stable and locked him behind a gate. He cried out, but it did not help. Next, she went to wake Gretel. She shook her sister until she opened her eyes. "Get up, lazy girl," she said. "Fetch some water and cook something good for your brother. He is in the stable, and we are fattening him up to eat." Gretel cried, but she had to do what the witch said. The witch cooked the best food for Hansel, but Gretel only got to eat crab shells. Every morning, the witch crept to the stable. She called out, "Hansel, stick out your finger so I can feel if you are getting fat.

Hansel, however, held out a little bone to her. The old woman had very dim eyes and could not see it. She thought it was Hansel's finger. She was surprised that he was not getting fat. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel was still thin, she got very impatient. She did not want to wait any longer. "Come, Gretel," she cried to the girl. "Wake up and bring some water. I will cook Hansel tomorrow, whether he is fat or not." Ah, how the poor little sister cried when she had to fetch the water! Her tears ran down her cheeks. "Dear God, please help us," she cried. "If the wild animals in the forest had eaten us, at least we would have died together.

Please be quiet," said the old woman. "It will not help you at all.

Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the big pot with the water. She also had to light the fire. "We will bake first," said the old woman. "I have already heated the oven and made the dough." Then she pushed poor Gretel out toward the oven. Flames were already coming out of it. "Crawl in," said the witch. "See if the oven is hot enough for the bread." But Gretel knew what the witch wanted to do. She wanted to shut the door and bake Gretel inside. Gretel was scared, but she said, "I do not know how I can get in." "Silly goose," said the witch. "The door is big enough. Just watch, I can get in myself." Then she crept up and stuck her head into the oven.

Then Gretel gave the witch a big push. She sent her deep into the oven and shut the heavy iron door tight. The witch cried out, but Gretel ran away fast. The bad witch was gone, and she was never coming back. Gretel ran like the wind to Hansel. She opened his little cage and cried, "Hansel, we are safe! The witch is dead!" Hansel was so happy. He jumped out like a little bird when the door opens. They hugged and kissed each other. They danced around and laughed with joy. Now they did not have to be scared anymore. They went into the witch's house. In every corner, there were big chests full of shiny pearls and pretty jewels. These were much better than the little stones.

Hansel said, "I will put these stones in my pockets." He took the shiny rocks and put them inside. Gretel said, "I want to take something home, too." She filled her apron with the sweet crumbs. "But now we must go," said Hansel. "We need to get out of the witch's forest.

After walking for two hours, they reached a wide stretch of water. "We cannot cross," said Hansel. "I do not see a plank or a bridge." "There is no ferry," answered Gretel, "but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us." Then she called out, "Little duck, little duck, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for you. There is no plank or bridge in sight. Please take us across on your white back." The duck swam to them. Hansel sat on its back and told his sister to sit next to him. "No," replied Gretel. "That will be too heavy for the little duck. She should take us across, one at a time.

The good little duck helped them swim safely to the other side. After they walked for a little while, the trees looked less scary and more like a friendly place. Then, they saw their father’s house in the distance. They ran as fast as they could and jumped into the room. They hugged their father tightly. He had been very sad since they left him in the woods. Their mother had passed away, but they were all together now. Gretel emptied her apron, and pearls and shiny stones rolled all over the floor. Hansel dropped more gems from his pocket to add to the pile. All their worries were gone, and they lived happily ever after. The story is finished now, and a little mouse is running across the page. If you catch it, you can make a warm, fuzzy hat out of it.

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    "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I'll tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. O' you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.",
    "The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs. Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.",
    "When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way. And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.",
    "They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.",
    "Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.",
    "The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on. I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.",
    "It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.",
    "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it won't help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles. Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.",
    "When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried - little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. There's never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other. The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it."
  ],
  "body_text": "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I'll tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. O' you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.\n\nThe two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs. Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.\n\nWhen they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.\n\nHansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way. And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.\n\nThey walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.\n\nNot long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.\n\nThe children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on. I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.\n\nIt was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.\n\nThe old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.\n\nThen she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it won't help you at all.\n\nEarly in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles. Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.\n\nWhen they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried - little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. There's never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other. The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it.",
  "clean_body": [
    "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I'll tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. O' you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.",
    "The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs. Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.",
    "When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way. And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.",
    "They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.",
    "Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.",
    "The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on. I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.",
    "It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.",
    "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it won't help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles. Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.",
    "When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried - little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. There's never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other. The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it."
  ],
  "clean_text": "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I'll tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. O' you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.\n\nThe two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs. Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.\n\nWhen they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.\n\nHansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way. And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.\n\nThey walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.\n\nNot long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.\n\nThe children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on. I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.\n\nIt was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.\n\nThe old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.\n\nThen she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it won't help you at all.\n\nEarly in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles. Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.\n\nWhen they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried - little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. There's never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other. The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it.",
  "tts_chunks": [
    "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I'll tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone.",
    "They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. O' you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.",
    "The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed.",
    "When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs.",
    "Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.",
    "When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way.",
    "And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.",
    "They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.",
    "Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.",
    "The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on.",
    "I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way.",
    "Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground.",
    "And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.",
    "It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal.",
    "I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out.",
    "Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.",
    "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat.",
    "Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it won't help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven.",
    "Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles.",
    "Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.",
    "When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried - little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. There's never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other.",
    "The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it."
  ],
  "speech_safe_body": [
    "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I will tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. Oh, you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.",
    "The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs. Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.",
    "When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way. And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.",
    "They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.",
    "Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.",
    "The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on. I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.",
    "It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.",
    "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it will not help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles. Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.",
    "When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried, little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. there is never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other. The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it."
  ],
  "speech_safe_text": "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I will tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. Oh, you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.\n\nThe two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed. When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs. Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.\n\nWhen they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.\n\nHansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way. And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.\n\nThey walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.\n\nNot long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.\n\nThe children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on. I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground. And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.\n\nIt was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.\n\nThe old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.\n\nThen she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it will not help you at all.\n\nEarly in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles. Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.\n\nWhen they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried, little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. there is never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other. The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it.",
  "speech_safe_chunks": [
    "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I will tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone.",
    "They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. Oh, you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.",
    "The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed.",
    "When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs.",
    "Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.",
    "When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way.",
    "And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.",
    "They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.",
    "Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.",
    "The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on.",
    "I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way.",
    "Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground.",
    "And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.",
    "It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal.",
    "I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out.",
    "Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.",
    "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat.",
    "Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together.",
    "Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it will not help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven.",
    "Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles.",
    "Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.",
    "When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried, little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. there is never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other.",
    "The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it."
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    {
      "term": "wood-cutter",
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      "term": "to-morrow",
      "hint": "to morrow",
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    },
    {
      "term": "to-morrow",
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      "before": "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat. Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together. Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it won't help you at all.",
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    "Hard by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his wife and his two children. The boy was called Hansel and the girl Gretel. He had little to bite and to break, and once when great dearth fell on the land, he could no longer procure even daily bread. Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his anxiety, he groaned and said to his wife, what is to become of us. How are we to feed our poor children, when we no longer have anything even for ourselves. I will tell you what, husband, answered the woman, early to-morrow morning we will take the children out into the forest to where it is the thickest. There we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one more piece of bread, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone.",
    "They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them. No, wife, said the man, I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children alone in the forest. The wild animals would soon come and tear them to pieces. Oh, you fool, said she, then we must all four die of hunger, you may as well plane the planks for our coffins, and she left him no peace until he consented. But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same, said the man.",
    "The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard what their step-mother had said to their father. Gretel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, now all is over with us. Be quiet, Gretel, said Hansel, do not distress yourself, I will soon find a way to help us. And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house glittered like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped and stuffed the little pocket of his coat with as many as he could get in. Then he went back and said to Gretel, be comforted, dear little sister, and sleep in peace, God will not forsake us, and he lay down again in his bed.",
    "When day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, saying get up, you sluggards. We are going into the forest to fetch wood. She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, there is something for your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else. Gretel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the pebbles in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. When they had walked a short time, Hansel stood still and peeped back at the house, and did so again and again. His father said, Hansel, what are you looking at there and staying behind for. Pay attention, and do not forget how to use your legs.",
    "Ah, father, said Hansel, I am looking at my little white cat, which is sitting up on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me. The wife said, fool, that is not your little cat, that is the morning sun which is shining on the chimneys. Hansel, however, had not been looking back at the cat, but had been constantly throwing one of the white pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road.",
    "When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, now, children, pile up some wood, and I will light a fire that you may not be cold. Hansel and Gretel gathered brushwood together, as high as a little hill. The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high, the woman said, now, children, lay yourselves down by the fire and rest, we will go into the forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you away.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said, how are we to get out of the forest now. But Hansel comforted her and said, just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will soon find the way.",
    "And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.",
    "They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to their father's house. They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it and saw that it was Hansel and Gretel, she said, you naughty children, why have you slept so long in the forest. We thought you were never coming back at all. The father, however, rejoiced, for it had cut him to the heart to leave them behind alone.",
    "Not long afterwards, there was once more great dearth throughout the land, and the children heard their mother saying at night to their father, everything is eaten again, we have one half loaf left, and that is the end. The children must go, we will take them farther into the wood, so that they will not find their way out again. There is no other means of saving ourselves. The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, it would be better for you to share the last mouthful with your children. The woman, however, would listen to nothing that he had to say, but scolded and reproached him. He who says a must say b, likewise, and as he had yielded the first time, he had to do so a second time also.",
    "The children, however, were still awake and had heard the conversation. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go out and pick up pebbles as he had done before, but the woman had locked the door, and Hansel could not get out. Nevertheless he comforted his little sister, and said, do not cry, Gretel, go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us. Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their beds. Their piece of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often stood still and threw a morsel on the ground. Hansel, why do you stop and look round. Said the father, go on.",
    "I am looking back at my little pigeon which is sitting on the roof, and wants to say good-bye to me, answered Hansel. Fool. Said the woman, that is not your little pigeon, that is the morning sun that is shining on the chimney. Hansel, however, little by little, threw all the crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and the mother said, just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a little. We are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we are done, we will come and fetch you away. When it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the way.",
    "Then they fell asleep and evening passed, but no one came to the poor children. They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his little sister and said, just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I have strewn about, they will show us our way home again. When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, we shall soon find the way, but they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next day too from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the forest, and were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries, which grew on the ground.",
    "And as they were so weary that their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down beneath a tree and fell asleep.",
    "It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They began to walk again, but they always came deeper into the forest, and if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was mid-day, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough, which sang so delightfully that they stood still and listened to it. And when its song was over, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it alighted. And when they approached the little house they saw that it was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. We will set to work on that, said Hansel, and have a good meal.",
    "I will eat a bit of the roof, and you Gretel, can eat some of the window, it will taste sweet. Hansel reached up above, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it tasted, and Gretel leant against the window and nibbled at the panes. Then a soft voice cried from the parlor - nibble, nibble, gnaw who is nibbling at my little house. The children answered - the wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind, and went on eating without disturbing themselves. Hansel, who liked the taste of the roof, tore down a great piece of it, and Gretel pushed out the whole of one round window-pane, sat down, and enjoyed herself with it. Suddenly the door opened, and a woman as old as the hills, who supported herself on crutches, came creeping out.",
    "Hansel and Gretel were so terribly frightened that they let fall what they had in their hands. The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, oh, you dear children, who has brought you here. Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall happen to you. She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and Gretel lay down in them, and thought they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman had only pretended to be so kind. She was in reality a wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had only built the little house of bread in order to entice them there. When a child fell into her power, she killed it, cooked and ate it, and that was a feast day with her. Witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but they have a keen scent like the beasts, and are aware when human beings draw near. When Hansel and Gretel came into her neighborhood, she laughed with malice, and said mockingly, I have them, they shall not escape me again. Early in the morning before the children were awake, she was already up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their plump and rosy cheeks, she muttered to herself, that will be a dainty mouthful.",
    "Then she seized Hansel with her shrivelled hand, carried him into a little stable, and locked him in behind a grated door. Scream as he might, it would not help him. Then she went to Gretel, shook her till she awoke, and cried, get up, lazy thing, fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother, he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will eat him. Gretel began to weep bitterly, but it was all in vain, for she was forced to do what the wicked witch commanded. And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Gretel got nothing but crab-shells. Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, Hansel, stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat.",
    "Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could not see it, and thought it was Hansel's finger, and was astonished that there was no way of fattening him. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel still remained thin, she was seized with impatience and would not wait any longer. Now, then, Gretel, she cried to the girl, stir yourself, and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him. Ah, how the poor little sister did lament when she had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow down her cheeks. Dear God, do help us, she cried. If the wild beasts in the forest had but devoured us, we should at any rate have died together.",
    "Just keep your noise to yourself, said the old woman, it will not help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the cauldron with the water, and light the fire. We will bake first, said the old woman, I have already heated the oven, and kneaded the dough. She pushed poor Gretel out to the oven, from which flames of fire were already darting. Creep in, said the witch, and see if it properly heated, so that we can put the bread in. And once Gretel was inside, she intended to shut the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. But Gretel saw what she had in mind, and said, I do not know how I am to do it. How do I get in. Silly goose, said the old woman, the door is big enough. Just look, I can get in myself, and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven.",
    "Then Gretel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron door, and fastened the bolt. Oh. Then she began to howl quite horribly, but Gretel ran away, and the godless witch was miserably burnt to death. Gretel, however, ran like lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and cried, Hansel, we are saved. The old witch is dead. Then Hansel sprang like a bird from its cage when the door is opened. How they did rejoice and embrace each other, and dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. These are far better than pebbles.",
    "Said Hansel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be got in, and Gretel said, I, too, will take something home with me, and filled her pinafore full. But now we must be off, said Hansel, that we may get out of the witch's forest.",
    "When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great stretch of water. We cannot cross, said Hansel, I see no foot-plank, and no bridge. And there is also no ferry, answered Gretel, but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us over. Then she cried, little duck, little duck, dost thou see, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for thee. there is never a plank, or bridge in sight, take us across on thy back so white. The duck came to them, and Hansel seated himself on its back, and told his sister to sit by him. No, replied Gretel, that will be too heavy for the little duck. She shall take us across, one after the other.",
    "The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and threw themselves round their father's neck. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest. The woman, however, was dead. Gretel emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones ran about the room, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is done, there runs a mouse, whosoever catches it, may make himself a big fur cap out of it."
  ],
  "child_friendly_title": "Hansel and Grethel",
  "child_friendly_body": [
    "Near a big, green forest lived a poor woodcutter with his wife and two children. The boy was Hansel and the girl was Gretel. They did not have much food. One day, there was no bread at all. The woodcutter was very worried. He looked at his wife and said, \"What will we do? How can we feed the children when we have nothing?\" His wife thought for a moment. Then she said, \"Tomorrow morning, we will take the children deep into the forest. We will make a warm fire for them and give them a little bread. Then we will go to work and leave them there.",
    "They will not find the way back home, and then we will be free of them. \"No, wife,\" said the man. \"I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children all alone in the forest? The wild animals would come and hurt them.\" \"Oh, you silly man,\" said she. \"Then we will all starve to death. You might as well cut the wood for our coffins.\" She would not stop nagging him until he agreed. \"But I feel so sad for the poor children,\" said the man.",
    "The two children were too hungry to sleep. They had heard what their stepmother said to their father. Gretel cried big, sad tears. She said, \"Now everything is over for us.\" Hansel put his arm around her. \"Be quiet, Gretel,\" he said. \"Do not be sad. I will find a way to help us.\"\n\nWhen the parents fell fast asleep, Hansel got up. He put on his little coat and opened the door. He crept quietly outside. The moon was bright, and the white pebbles in front of the house sparkled like shiny silver coins. Hansel bent down and filled his coat pocket with as many as he could hold. Then he went back to Gretel. \"Be brave, dear sister,\" he said. \"Sleep well. God will not leave us alone.\" He lay down in his bed and closed his eyes.",
    "When the sun began to peek over the hills, the woman woke the two children up. She told them to get moving, saying, \"Come on, you sleepyheads. We are going into the woods to gather wood.\" She gave them each a small piece of bread and said, \"Here is your lunch, but do not eat it yet. You will not get anything else to eat.\" Gretel hid her bread under her apron, just like Hansel hid his pebbles in his pocket. Then, they all walked together toward the forest. After they had walked for a little while, Hansel stopped and looked back at the house. He did this again and again. His father asked, \"Hansel, what are you looking at? Why are you stopping?\" \"Pay attention,\" he said, \"and do not forget to use your legs.",
    "Oh, Father,\" said Hansel. \"I am looking at my little white cat. It is sitting on the roof and wants to say goodbye to me.\"\n\nThe wife laughed. \"Silly boy, that is not your cat. It is just the morning sun shining on the roof.\"\n\nHansel did not look back at the cat. He was busy. He kept taking a white stone from his pocket and dropping it on the path.",
    "When they reached the middle of the forest, the father said, \"Now, children, let's gather some wood. I will light a fire so you won't be cold.\" Hansel and Gretel collected branches and made a big pile. The father lit the fire, and soon the flames were warm and bright. Then the woman said, \"Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest. We will go into the woods to cut some wood. When we are done, we will come back and get you.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the warm fire. When noon came, they shared a small piece of bread. They heard the *thump, thump* of an axe and thought their father was coming back. But it was just a branch tied to a tree. The wind was blowing it back and forth. The children were very tired from sitting so long. Their eyes grew heavy, and they fell fast asleep.\n\nWhen they finally woke up, it was dark night. Gretel started to cry. \"How will we ever get out of the forest now?\" she asked. Hansel held her hand and comforted her. \"Just wait a little,\" he said softly. \"When the moon comes up, we will see the way home.",
    "When the bright moon came up, Hansel held his little sister’s hand. He followed the small stones that sparkled like shiny new coins. They showed him the way home.",
    "They walked all through the night. When the sun came up, they were back at their father's house. They knocked on the door. When the woman opened it and saw Hansel and Gretel, she said, \"You naughty children, why did you sleep so long in the forest? We thought you were never coming back.\" The father was very happy to see them. It hurt his heart to leave them all alone.",
    "Soon after, there was not enough food for anyone. The children heard their mother say at night, \"We have only a little bit of bread left. We must send the children away. We will take them deep into the woods so they cannot find their way home. We have to do this to save ourselves.\"\n\nThe man felt very sad. He thought, \"It would be better to share the last bite with my children.\" But his wife would not listen. She scolded him and would not change her mind. He knew he had to agree, just like he did before.",
    "But the children were still awake. They had heard the whole conversation. When the parents were fast asleep, Hansel tried to get up. He wanted to go out and pick up pebbles like he did before. But the woman had locked the door, so Hansel could not get out. He comforted his little sister and said, \"Do not cry, Gretel. Go to sleep quietly. The good God will help us.\"\n\nEarly in the morning, the woman woke them up. She gave them their piece of bread, but it was even smaller than the day before. On the way into the forest, Hansel crumbled his bread in his pocket. He stopped often and dropped a little bit on the ground. \"Hansel, why do you stop and look around?\" asked the father. \"Just go on,\" he said.",
    "I am looking back at my little pigeon sitting on the roof,\" Hansel said. \"It wants to say good-bye to me.\"\n\n\"Silence!\" said the woman. \"That is not your pigeon. It is just the morning sun shining on the chimney.\"\n\nHansel, however, slowly dropped all his crumbs on the path. The woman led the children deeper into the forest, where they had never been before. Then she made a big fire and said, \"Just sit there, my dears. When you are tired, you may sleep a little. We are going to cut wood, and when we finish, we will come back for you.\"\n\nWhen it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel. He had dropped his crumbs along the way.",
    "Then they fell asleep, and the evening passed, but no one came to help the poor children. They did not wake up until it was dark night. Hansel comforted his little sister and said, \"Just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises. Then we will see the little crumbs of bread I left on the ground. They will show us the way home again.\"\n\nWhen the moon came up, they started to walk. But they could not find any crumbs. The many thousands of birds in the woods and fields had eaten them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, \"We will find the way soon.\" But they did not find it. They walked all night and all the next day, from morning until evening. They did not get out of the forest. They were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries that grew on the ground.",
    "And as they were so tired that their legs could not carry them any longer, they lay down beneath a big tree and fell fast asleep.",
    "It had been three days since they left their father's home. They started walking again, but the trees got thicker and thicker. They were very tired and very hungry. Just then, they saw a pretty white bird sitting on a branch. It sang a lovely song that made them stop and listen. When the bird finished singing, it flew away, and the children followed it. It led them to a small house. The bird landed on the roof. When they got closer, they saw the house was made of bread and covered in sweet cakes. The windows were made of clear sugar. \"Let's eat!\" said Hansel. \"We can have a feast.",
    "I will eat a bit of the roof, and you, Gretel, can eat some of the window. It will taste sweet. Hansel reached up and broke off a little piece to try. Gretel leaned against the window and nibbled at the glass. Then a soft voice called from the room, \"Nibble, nibble, gnaw. Who is nibbling at my little house?\" The children answered, \"The wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind,\" and they went on eating happily. Hansel liked the taste of the roof, so he tore down a big piece. Gretel pushed out the whole round window pane, sat down, and enjoyed it. Suddenly, the door opened. An old woman, who walked with a stick, came out slowly.",
    "Hansel and Gretel were so scared that they dropped the things they were holding. The old woman smiled and said, \"Oh, you dear children, who has brought you here? Come in and stay with me. No harm will happen to you.\" She took them by the hand and led them into her little house. Then, she set out good food for them: milk and pancakes with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterward, she showed them two pretty little beds covered with clean white sheets. Hansel and Gretel lay down in them and felt like they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman was not really kind at all. She was a mean witch who wanted to catch children. She made the little house of bread just to trick them. When she caught a child, she would cook and eat them, and that made her very happy. Witches have red eyes and cannot see very far, but they can smell people from far away. When Hansel and Gretel got close, she laughed and said, \"I have them now, and they cannot run away.\" Before the children even woke up, the witch was already up. She looked at them sleeping and thought, \"They look so sweet and chubby. They will be a yummy breakfast.",
    "Then she grabbed Hansel with her old, wrinkled hand. She carried him into a small stable and locked him behind a gate. He cried out, but it did not help. Next, she went to wake Gretel. She shook her sister until she opened her eyes. \"Get up, lazy girl,\" she said. \"Fetch some water and cook something good for your brother. He is in the stable, and we are fattening him up to eat.\" Gretel cried, but she had to do what the witch said. The witch cooked the best food for Hansel, but Gretel only got to eat crab shells. Every morning, the witch crept to the stable. She called out, \"Hansel, stick out your finger so I can feel if you are getting fat.",
    "Hansel, however, held out a little bone to her. The old woman had very dim eyes and could not see it. She thought it was Hansel's finger. She was surprised that he was not getting fat. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel was still thin, she got very impatient. She did not want to wait any longer.\n\n\"Come, Gretel,\" she cried to the girl. \"Wake up and bring some water. I will cook Hansel tomorrow, whether he is fat or not.\"\n\nAh, how the poor little sister cried when she had to fetch the water! Her tears ran down her cheeks. \"Dear God, please help us,\" she cried. \"If the wild animals in the forest had eaten us, at least we would have died together.",
    "Please be quiet,\" said the old woman. \"It will not help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the big pot with the water. She also had to light the fire. \"We will bake first,\" said the old woman. \"I have already heated the oven and made the dough.\" Then she pushed poor Gretel out toward the oven. Flames were already coming out of it. \"Crawl in,\" said the witch. \"See if the oven is hot enough for the bread.\" But Gretel knew what the witch wanted to do. She wanted to shut the door and bake Gretel inside. Gretel was scared, but she said, \"I do not know how I can get in.\" \"Silly goose,\" said the witch. \"The door is big enough. Just watch, I can get in myself.\" Then she crept up and stuck her head into the oven.",
    "Then Gretel gave the witch a big push. She sent her deep into the oven and shut the heavy iron door tight. The witch cried out, but Gretel ran away fast. The bad witch was gone, and she was never coming back. Gretel ran like the wind to Hansel. She opened his little cage and cried, \"Hansel, we are safe! The witch is dead!\"\n\nHansel was so happy. He jumped out like a little bird when the door opens. They hugged and kissed each other. They danced around and laughed with joy. Now they did not have to be scared anymore. They went into the witch's house. In every corner, there were big chests full of shiny pearls and pretty jewels. These were much better than the little stones.",
    "Hansel said, \"I will put these stones in my pockets.\" He took the shiny rocks and put them inside. Gretel said, \"I want to take something home, too.\" She filled her apron with the sweet crumbs. \"But now we must go,\" said Hansel. \"We need to get out of the witch's forest.",
    "After walking for two hours, they reached a wide stretch of water. \"We cannot cross,\" said Hansel. \"I do not see a plank or a bridge.\" \"There is no ferry,\" answered Gretel, \"but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us.\" Then she called out, \"Little duck, little duck, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for you. There is no plank or bridge in sight. Please take us across on your white back.\" The duck swam to them. Hansel sat on its back and told his sister to sit next to him. \"No,\" replied Gretel. \"That will be too heavy for the little duck. She should take us across, one at a time.",
    "The good little duck helped them swim safely to the other side. After they walked for a little while, the trees looked less scary and more like a friendly place. Then, they saw their father’s house in the distance. They ran as fast as they could and jumped into the room. They hugged their father tightly. He had been very sad since they left him in the woods. Their mother had passed away, but they were all together now. Gretel emptied her apron, and pearls and shiny stones rolled all over the floor. Hansel dropped more gems from his pocket to add to the pile. All their worries were gone, and they lived happily ever after. The story is finished now, and a little mouse is running across the page. If you catch it, you can make a warm, fuzzy hat out of it."
  ],
  "child_friendly_text": "Near a big, green forest lived a poor woodcutter with his wife and two children. The boy was Hansel and the girl was Gretel. They did not have much food. One day, there was no bread at all. The woodcutter was very worried. He looked at his wife and said, \"What will we do? How can we feed the children when we have nothing?\" His wife thought for a moment. Then she said, \"Tomorrow morning, we will take the children deep into the forest. We will make a warm fire for them and give them a little bread. Then we will go to work and leave them there.\n\nThey will not find the way back home, and then we will be free of them. \"No, wife,\" said the man. \"I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children all alone in the forest? The wild animals would come and hurt them.\" \"Oh, you silly man,\" said she. \"Then we will all starve to death. You might as well cut the wood for our coffins.\" She would not stop nagging him until he agreed. \"But I feel so sad for the poor children,\" said the man.\n\nThe two children were too hungry to sleep. They had heard what their stepmother said to their father. Gretel cried big, sad tears. She said, \"Now everything is over for us.\" Hansel put his arm around her. \"Be quiet, Gretel,\" he said. \"Do not be sad. I will find a way to help us.\"\n\nWhen the parents fell fast asleep, Hansel got up. He put on his little coat and opened the door. He crept quietly outside. The moon was bright, and the white pebbles in front of the house sparkled like shiny silver coins. Hansel bent down and filled his coat pocket with as many as he could hold. Then he went back to Gretel. \"Be brave, dear sister,\" he said. \"Sleep well. God will not leave us alone.\" He lay down in his bed and closed his eyes.\n\nWhen the sun began to peek over the hills, the woman woke the two children up. She told them to get moving, saying, \"Come on, you sleepyheads. We are going into the woods to gather wood.\" She gave them each a small piece of bread and said, \"Here is your lunch, but do not eat it yet. You will not get anything else to eat.\" Gretel hid her bread under her apron, just like Hansel hid his pebbles in his pocket. Then, they all walked together toward the forest. After they had walked for a little while, Hansel stopped and looked back at the house. He did this again and again. His father asked, \"Hansel, what are you looking at? Why are you stopping?\" \"Pay attention,\" he said, \"and do not forget to use your legs.\n\nOh, Father,\" said Hansel. \"I am looking at my little white cat. It is sitting on the roof and wants to say goodbye to me.\"\n\nThe wife laughed. \"Silly boy, that is not your cat. It is just the morning sun shining on the roof.\"\n\nHansel did not look back at the cat. He was busy. He kept taking a white stone from his pocket and dropping it on the path.\n\nWhen they reached the middle of the forest, the father said, \"Now, children, let's gather some wood. I will light a fire so you won't be cold.\" Hansel and Gretel collected branches and made a big pile. The father lit the fire, and soon the flames were warm and bright. Then the woman said, \"Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest. We will go into the woods to cut some wood. When we are done, we will come back and get you.\n\nHansel and Gretel sat by the warm fire. When noon came, they shared a small piece of bread. They heard the *thump, thump* of an axe and thought their father was coming back. But it was just a branch tied to a tree. The wind was blowing it back and forth. The children were very tired from sitting so long. Their eyes grew heavy, and they fell fast asleep.\n\nWhen they finally woke up, it was dark night. Gretel started to cry. \"How will we ever get out of the forest now?\" she asked. Hansel held her hand and comforted her. \"Just wait a little,\" he said softly. \"When the moon comes up, we will see the way home.\n\nWhen the bright moon came up, Hansel held his little sister’s hand. He followed the small stones that sparkled like shiny new coins. They showed him the way home.\n\nThey walked all through the night. When the sun came up, they were back at their father's house. They knocked on the door. When the woman opened it and saw Hansel and Gretel, she said, \"You naughty children, why did you sleep so long in the forest? We thought you were never coming back.\" The father was very happy to see them. It hurt his heart to leave them all alone.\n\nSoon after, there was not enough food for anyone. The children heard their mother say at night, \"We have only a little bit of bread left. We must send the children away. We will take them deep into the woods so they cannot find their way home. We have to do this to save ourselves.\"\n\nThe man felt very sad. He thought, \"It would be better to share the last bite with my children.\" But his wife would not listen. She scolded him and would not change her mind. He knew he had to agree, just like he did before.\n\nBut the children were still awake. They had heard the whole conversation. When the parents were fast asleep, Hansel tried to get up. He wanted to go out and pick up pebbles like he did before. But the woman had locked the door, so Hansel could not get out. He comforted his little sister and said, \"Do not cry, Gretel. Go to sleep quietly. The good God will help us.\"\n\nEarly in the morning, the woman woke them up. She gave them their piece of bread, but it was even smaller than the day before. On the way into the forest, Hansel crumbled his bread in his pocket. He stopped often and dropped a little bit on the ground. \"Hansel, why do you stop and look around?\" asked the father. \"Just go on,\" he said.\n\nI am looking back at my little pigeon sitting on the roof,\" Hansel said. \"It wants to say good-bye to me.\"\n\n\"Silence!\" said the woman. \"That is not your pigeon. It is just the morning sun shining on the chimney.\"\n\nHansel, however, slowly dropped all his crumbs on the path. The woman led the children deeper into the forest, where they had never been before. Then she made a big fire and said, \"Just sit there, my dears. When you are tired, you may sleep a little. We are going to cut wood, and when we finish, we will come back for you.\"\n\nWhen it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel. He had dropped his crumbs along the way.\n\nThen they fell asleep, and the evening passed, but no one came to help the poor children. They did not wake up until it was dark night. Hansel comforted his little sister and said, \"Just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises. Then we will see the little crumbs of bread I left on the ground. They will show us the way home again.\"\n\nWhen the moon came up, they started to walk. But they could not find any crumbs. The many thousands of birds in the woods and fields had eaten them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, \"We will find the way soon.\" But they did not find it. They walked all night and all the next day, from morning until evening. They did not get out of the forest. They were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries that grew on the ground.\n\nAnd as they were so tired that their legs could not carry them any longer, they lay down beneath a big tree and fell fast asleep.\n\nIt had been three days since they left their father's home. They started walking again, but the trees got thicker and thicker. They were very tired and very hungry. Just then, they saw a pretty white bird sitting on a branch. It sang a lovely song that made them stop and listen. When the bird finished singing, it flew away, and the children followed it. It led them to a small house. The bird landed on the roof. When they got closer, they saw the house was made of bread and covered in sweet cakes. The windows were made of clear sugar. \"Let's eat!\" said Hansel. \"We can have a feast.\n\nI will eat a bit of the roof, and you, Gretel, can eat some of the window. It will taste sweet. Hansel reached up and broke off a little piece to try. Gretel leaned against the window and nibbled at the glass. Then a soft voice called from the room, \"Nibble, nibble, gnaw. Who is nibbling at my little house?\" The children answered, \"The wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind,\" and they went on eating happily. Hansel liked the taste of the roof, so he tore down a big piece. Gretel pushed out the whole round window pane, sat down, and enjoyed it. Suddenly, the door opened. An old woman, who walked with a stick, came out slowly.\n\nHansel and Gretel were so scared that they dropped the things they were holding. The old woman smiled and said, \"Oh, you dear children, who has brought you here? Come in and stay with me. No harm will happen to you.\" She took them by the hand and led them into her little house. Then, she set out good food for them: milk and pancakes with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterward, she showed them two pretty little beds covered with clean white sheets. Hansel and Gretel lay down in them and felt like they were in heaven.\n\nThe old woman was not really kind at all. She was a mean witch who wanted to catch children. She made the little house of bread just to trick them. When she caught a child, she would cook and eat them, and that made her very happy. Witches have red eyes and cannot see very far, but they can smell people from far away. When Hansel and Gretel got close, she laughed and said, \"I have them now, and they cannot run away.\" Before the children even woke up, the witch was already up. She looked at them sleeping and thought, \"They look so sweet and chubby. They will be a yummy breakfast.\n\nThen she grabbed Hansel with her old, wrinkled hand. She carried him into a small stable and locked him behind a gate. He cried out, but it did not help. Next, she went to wake Gretel. She shook her sister until she opened her eyes. \"Get up, lazy girl,\" she said. \"Fetch some water and cook something good for your brother. He is in the stable, and we are fattening him up to eat.\" Gretel cried, but she had to do what the witch said. The witch cooked the best food for Hansel, but Gretel only got to eat crab shells. Every morning, the witch crept to the stable. She called out, \"Hansel, stick out your finger so I can feel if you are getting fat.\n\nHansel, however, held out a little bone to her. The old woman had very dim eyes and could not see it. She thought it was Hansel's finger. She was surprised that he was not getting fat. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel was still thin, she got very impatient. She did not want to wait any longer.\n\n\"Come, Gretel,\" she cried to the girl. \"Wake up and bring some water. I will cook Hansel tomorrow, whether he is fat or not.\"\n\nAh, how the poor little sister cried when she had to fetch the water! Her tears ran down her cheeks. \"Dear God, please help us,\" she cried. \"If the wild animals in the forest had eaten us, at least we would have died together.\n\nPlease be quiet,\" said the old woman. \"It will not help you at all.\n\nEarly in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the big pot with the water. She also had to light the fire. \"We will bake first,\" said the old woman. \"I have already heated the oven and made the dough.\" Then she pushed poor Gretel out toward the oven. Flames were already coming out of it. \"Crawl in,\" said the witch. \"See if the oven is hot enough for the bread.\" But Gretel knew what the witch wanted to do. She wanted to shut the door and bake Gretel inside. Gretel was scared, but she said, \"I do not know how I can get in.\" \"Silly goose,\" said the witch. \"The door is big enough. Just watch, I can get in myself.\" Then she crept up and stuck her head into the oven.\n\nThen Gretel gave the witch a big push. She sent her deep into the oven and shut the heavy iron door tight. The witch cried out, but Gretel ran away fast. The bad witch was gone, and she was never coming back. Gretel ran like the wind to Hansel. She opened his little cage and cried, \"Hansel, we are safe! The witch is dead!\"\n\nHansel was so happy. He jumped out like a little bird when the door opens. They hugged and kissed each other. They danced around and laughed with joy. Now they did not have to be scared anymore. They went into the witch's house. In every corner, there were big chests full of shiny pearls and pretty jewels. These were much better than the little stones.\n\nHansel said, \"I will put these stones in my pockets.\" He took the shiny rocks and put them inside. Gretel said, \"I want to take something home, too.\" She filled her apron with the sweet crumbs. \"But now we must go,\" said Hansel. \"We need to get out of the witch's forest.\n\nAfter walking for two hours, they reached a wide stretch of water. \"We cannot cross,\" said Hansel. \"I do not see a plank or a bridge.\" \"There is no ferry,\" answered Gretel, \"but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us.\" Then she called out, \"Little duck, little duck, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for you. There is no plank or bridge in sight. Please take us across on your white back.\" The duck swam to them. Hansel sat on its back and told his sister to sit next to him. \"No,\" replied Gretel. \"That will be too heavy for the little duck. She should take us across, one at a time.\n\nThe good little duck helped them swim safely to the other side. After they walked for a little while, the trees looked less scary and more like a friendly place. Then, they saw their father’s house in the distance. They ran as fast as they could and jumped into the room. They hugged their father tightly. He had been very sad since they left him in the woods. Their mother had passed away, but they were all together now. Gretel emptied her apron, and pearls and shiny stones rolled all over the floor. Hansel dropped more gems from his pocket to add to the pile. All their worries were gone, and they lived happily ever after. The story is finished now, and a little mouse is running across the page. If you catch it, you can make a warm, fuzzy hat out of it.",
  "child_friendly_chunks": [
    "Near a big, green forest lived a poor woodcutter with his wife and two children. The boy was Hansel and the girl was Gretel. They did not have much food. One day, there was no bread at all. The woodcutter was very worried. He looked at his wife and said, \"What will we do? How can we feed the children when we have nothing?\" His wife thought for a moment. Then she said, \"Tomorrow morning, we will take the children deep into the forest. We will make a warm fire for them and give them a little bread. Then we will go to work and leave them there.",
    "They will not find the way back home, and then we will be free of them. \"No, wife,\" said the man. \"I will not do that. How can I bear to leave my children all alone in the forest? The wild animals would come and hurt them.\" \"Oh, you silly man,\" said she. \"Then we will all starve to death. You might as well cut the wood for our coffins.\" She would not stop nagging him until he agreed. \"But I feel so sad for the poor children,\" said the man.",
    "The two children were too hungry to sleep. They had heard what their stepmother said to their father. Gretel cried big, sad tears. She said, \"Now everything is over for us.\" Hansel put his arm around her. \"Be quiet, Gretel,\" he said. \"Do not be sad. I will find a way to help us.\"\n\nWhen the parents fell fast asleep, Hansel got up. He put on his little coat and opened the door. He crept quietly outside. The moon was bright, and the white pebbles in front of the house sparkled like shiny silver coins. Hansel bent down and filled his coat pocket with as many as he could hold. Then he went back to Gretel. \"Be brave, dear sister,\" he said. \"Sleep well. God will not leave us alone.\" He lay down in his bed and closed his eyes.",
    "When the sun began to peek over the hills, the woman woke the two children up. She told them to get moving, saying, \"Come on, you sleepyheads. We are going into the woods to gather wood.\" She gave them each a small piece of bread and said, \"Here is your lunch, but do not eat it yet. You will not get anything else to eat.\" Gretel hid her bread under her apron, just like Hansel hid his pebbles in his pocket. Then, they all walked together toward the forest. After they had walked for a little while, Hansel stopped and looked back at the house. He did this again and again. His father asked, \"Hansel, what are you looking at? Why are you stopping?\" \"Pay attention,\" he said, \"and do not forget to use your legs.",
    "Oh, Father,\" said Hansel. \"I am looking at my little white cat. It is sitting on the roof and wants to say goodbye to me.\"\n\nThe wife laughed. \"Silly boy, that is not your cat. It is just the morning sun shining on the roof.\"\n\nHansel did not look back at the cat. He was busy. He kept taking a white stone from his pocket and dropping it on the path.",
    "When they reached the middle of the forest, the father said, \"Now, children, let's gather some wood. I will light a fire so you won't be cold.\" Hansel and Gretel collected branches and made a big pile. The father lit the fire, and soon the flames were warm and bright. Then the woman said, \"Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest. We will go into the woods to cut some wood. When we are done, we will come back and get you.",
    "Hansel and Gretel sat by the warm fire. When noon came, they shared a small piece of bread. They heard the *thump, thump* of an axe and thought their father was coming back. But it was just a branch tied to a tree. The wind was blowing it back and forth. The children were very tired from sitting so long. Their eyes grew heavy, and they fell fast asleep.\n\nWhen they finally woke up, it was dark night. Gretel started to cry. \"How will we ever get out of the forest now?\" she asked. Hansel held her hand and comforted her. \"Just wait a little,\" he said softly. \"When the moon comes up, we will see the way home.",
    "When the bright moon came up, Hansel held his little sister’s hand. He followed the small stones that sparkled like shiny new coins. They showed him the way home.",
    "They walked all through the night. When the sun came up, they were back at their father's house. They knocked on the door. When the woman opened it and saw Hansel and Gretel, she said, \"You naughty children, why did you sleep so long in the forest? We thought you were never coming back.\" The father was very happy to see them. It hurt his heart to leave them all alone.",
    "Soon after, there was not enough food for anyone. The children heard their mother say at night, \"We have only a little bit of bread left. We must send the children away. We will take them deep into the woods so they cannot find their way home. We have to do this to save ourselves.\"\n\nThe man felt very sad. He thought, \"It would be better to share the last bite with my children.\" But his wife would not listen. She scolded him and would not change her mind. He knew he had to agree, just like he did before.",
    "But the children were still awake. They had heard the whole conversation. When the parents were fast asleep, Hansel tried to get up. He wanted to go out and pick up pebbles like he did before. But the woman had locked the door, so Hansel could not get out. He comforted his little sister and said, \"Do not cry, Gretel. Go to sleep quietly. The good God will help us.\"\n\nEarly in the morning, the woman woke them up. She gave them their piece of bread, but it was even smaller than the day before. On the way into the forest, Hansel crumbled his bread in his pocket. He stopped often and dropped a little bit on the ground. \"Hansel, why do you stop and look around?\" asked the father. \"Just go on,\" he said.",
    "I am looking back at my little pigeon sitting on the roof,\" Hansel said. \"It wants to say good-bye to me.\"\n\n\"Silence!\" said the woman. \"That is not your pigeon. It is just the morning sun shining on the chimney.\"\n\nHansel, however, slowly dropped all his crumbs on the path. The woman led the children deeper into the forest, where they had never been before. Then she made a big fire and said, \"Just sit there, my dears. When you are tired, you may sleep a little. We are going to cut wood, and when we finish, we will come back for you.\"\n\nWhen it was noon, Gretel shared her piece of bread with Hansel. He had dropped his crumbs along the way.",
    "Then they fell asleep, and the evening passed, but no one came to help the poor children. They did not wake up until it was dark night. Hansel comforted his little sister and said, \"Just wait, Gretel, until the moon rises. Then we will see the little crumbs of bread I left on the ground. They will show us the way home again.\"\n\nWhen the moon came up, they started to walk. But they could not find any crumbs. The many thousands of birds in the woods and fields had eaten them all up. Hansel said to Gretel, \"We will find the way soon.\" But they did not find it. They walked all night and all the next day, from morning until evening. They did not get out of the forest. They were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or three berries that grew on the ground.",
    "And as they were so tired that their legs could not carry them any longer, they lay down beneath a big tree and fell fast asleep.",
    "It had been three days since they left their father's home. They started walking again, but the trees got thicker and thicker. They were very tired and very hungry. Just then, they saw a pretty white bird sitting on a branch. It sang a lovely song that made them stop and listen. When the bird finished singing, it flew away, and the children followed it. It led them to a small house. The bird landed on the roof. When they got closer, they saw the house was made of bread and covered in sweet cakes. The windows were made of clear sugar. \"Let's eat!\" said Hansel. \"We can have a feast.",
    "I will eat a bit of the roof, and you, Gretel, can eat some of the window. It will taste sweet. Hansel reached up and broke off a little piece to try. Gretel leaned against the window and nibbled at the glass. Then a soft voice called from the room, \"Nibble, nibble, gnaw. Who is nibbling at my little house?\" The children answered, \"The wind, the wind, the heaven-born wind,\" and they went on eating happily. Hansel liked the taste of the roof, so he tore down a big piece. Gretel pushed out the whole round window pane, sat down, and enjoyed it. Suddenly, the door opened. An old woman, who walked with a stick, came out slowly.",
    "Hansel and Gretel were so scared that they dropped the things they were holding. The old woman smiled and said, \"Oh, you dear children, who has brought you here? Come in and stay with me. No harm will happen to you.\" She took them by the hand and led them into her little house. Then, she set out good food for them: milk and pancakes with sugar, apples, and nuts. Afterward, she showed them two pretty little beds covered with clean white sheets. Hansel and Gretel lay down in them and felt like they were in heaven.",
    "The old woman was not really kind at all. She was a mean witch who wanted to catch children. She made the little house of bread just to trick them. When she caught a child, she would cook and eat them, and that made her very happy. Witches have red eyes and cannot see very far, but they can smell people from far away. When Hansel and Gretel got close, she laughed and said, \"I have them now, and they cannot run away.\" Before the children even woke up, the witch was already up. She looked at them sleeping and thought, \"They look so sweet and chubby. They will be a yummy breakfast.",
    "Then she grabbed Hansel with her old, wrinkled hand. She carried him into a small stable and locked him behind a gate. He cried out, but it did not help. Next, she went to wake Gretel. She shook her sister until she opened her eyes. \"Get up, lazy girl,\" she said. \"Fetch some water and cook something good for your brother. He is in the stable, and we are fattening him up to eat.\" Gretel cried, but she had to do what the witch said. The witch cooked the best food for Hansel, but Gretel only got to eat crab shells. Every morning, the witch crept to the stable. She called out, \"Hansel, stick out your finger so I can feel if you are getting fat.",
    "Hansel, however, held out a little bone to her. The old woman had very dim eyes and could not see it. She thought it was Hansel's finger. She was surprised that he was not getting fat. When four weeks had gone by, and Hansel was still thin, she got very impatient. She did not want to wait any longer.\n\n\"Come, Gretel,\" she cried to the girl. \"Wake up and bring some water. I will cook Hansel tomorrow, whether he is fat or not.\"\n\nAh, how the poor little sister cried when she had to fetch the water! Her tears ran down her cheeks. \"Dear God, please help us,\" she cried. \"If the wild animals in the forest had eaten us, at least we would have died together.",
    "Please be quiet,\" said the old woman. \"It will not help you at all.",
    "Early in the morning, Gretel had to go out and hang up the big pot with the water. She also had to light the fire. \"We will bake first,\" said the old woman. \"I have already heated the oven and made the dough.\" Then she pushed poor Gretel out toward the oven. Flames were already coming out of it. \"Crawl in,\" said the witch. \"See if the oven is hot enough for the bread.\" But Gretel knew what the witch wanted to do. She wanted to shut the door and bake Gretel inside. Gretel was scared, but she said, \"I do not know how I can get in.\" \"Silly goose,\" said the witch. \"The door is big enough. Just watch, I can get in myself.\" Then she crept up and stuck her head into the oven.",
    "Then Gretel gave the witch a big push. She sent her deep into the oven and shut the heavy iron door tight. The witch cried out, but Gretel ran away fast. The bad witch was gone, and she was never coming back. Gretel ran like the wind to Hansel. She opened his little cage and cried, \"Hansel, we are safe! The witch is dead!\"\n\nHansel was so happy. He jumped out like a little bird when the door opens. They hugged and kissed each other. They danced around and laughed with joy. Now they did not have to be scared anymore. They went into the witch's house. In every corner, there were big chests full of shiny pearls and pretty jewels. These were much better than the little stones.",
    "Hansel said, \"I will put these stones in my pockets.\" He took the shiny rocks and put them inside. Gretel said, \"I want to take something home, too.\" She filled her apron with the sweet crumbs. \"But now we must go,\" said Hansel. \"We need to get out of the witch's forest.",
    "After walking for two hours, they reached a wide stretch of water. \"We cannot cross,\" said Hansel. \"I do not see a plank or a bridge.\" \"There is no ferry,\" answered Gretel, \"but a white duck is swimming there. If I ask her, she will help us.\" Then she called out, \"Little duck, little duck, Hansel and Gretel are waiting for you. There is no plank or bridge in sight. Please take us across on your white back.\" The duck swam to them. Hansel sat on its back and told his sister to sit next to him. \"No,\" replied Gretel. \"That will be too heavy for the little duck. She should take us across, one at a time.",
    "The good little duck helped them swim safely to the other side. After they walked for a little while, the trees looked less scary and more like a friendly place. Then, they saw their father’s house in the distance. They ran as fast as they could and jumped into the room. They hugged their father tightly. He had been very sad since they left him in the woods. Their mother had passed away, but they were all together now. Gretel emptied her apron, and pearls and shiny stones rolled all over the floor. Hansel dropped more gems from his pocket to add to the pile. All their worries were gone, and they lived happily ever after. The story is finished now, and a little mouse is running across the page. If you catch it, you can make a warm, fuzzy hat out of it."
  ],
  "v3_model": "glm-4.7-flash:q4_K_M",
  "v3_flags": []
}