Crunch! The dry dusty Autumn leaves crumbled under the children’s feet. Tall trees loomed above them in the deep, dark, dangerous forest. The trunks of the trees were twisted and gnarled and the leaves were so thick it cast a heavy gloom on to the forest floor even though blue skies were above. Not that the children could see it. 

Hansel and Gretel were walking with heavy hearts. They were lost but no one was looking for them. Their parents had shut the door on them. They were still children but the oldest of many hungrier and needier mouths to feed. 

Gretel took her brother’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Hansel wiped a streaky tear from his sister ’s face. Their hearts were comforted knowing they still had each other.  The children had never gone to school but they knew many things about the forest they had grown in. They trusted it more than the cold and unwelcoming town that always treated them like beggars when they went in to trade for food. 

The children had a basic pack with one blanket to share, a sharp knife for preparing food, the smallest iron cooking pot their family could spare, a flint stone to strike a fire and a bottle of water. They decided to follow the stream in the direction away from the town, deeper and darker into the forest. The sun began to set so the children decided to rest. 

Hansel and Gretel had managed to pick up a few mushrooms from the forest floor to make a thin soup which tasted more like dirty water. The children’s tummies grumbled but it was a feeling they were used to. It was their first night away from their cramped, dirty and run-down house and they had a strange feeling of excitement and fear. The night was filled with the soft rustle of animals footsteps and the eerie sound of crickets singing. A wolf howled from far away and the children shivered knowing the sound would not always be far. They needed a safe place to stay but that would be tomorrow’s journey.

A cold wet mist rose up from the damp earth covering the children’s faces with droplets of dew. Damp and sleepy the children got up and packed their few belongings. The stream was shallow beside them and held no fish yet. Hansel and Gretel decided on a plan. They would follow the stream to deeper waters where they could fish and maybe even make themselves a shelter.  Onwards they walked ignoring their rumbling tummies.

Sometimes there was a clear path next to the running water but at other times it was rocky and treacherous. They often had to wander a bit away from the stream to find a safe path but they made sure to listen to the flowing water to find their way back. It was on one detour that they came across a clearing in the forest. 

The ground was soft and spongy with damp mud but it soon turned into a vibrant green meadow filled with flowers. The children continued walking till they came across a neat cobblestone path that led to a tiny yet beautiful little cottage. 

Hansel began to walk up the path toward the cottage like he knew the people inside.  Gretel pulled him back with caution.  “ We don’t know who lives there” she hissed.  “ Gretel. We could ask them if they have any jobs for us to do in exchange for food. We have nothing. We have nothing to lose.” 

HANSEL & GRETEL A horror story retold by N. Esplago

Hansel’s stomach growled and Gretel felt her own aching body needing nourishment. She realised they may not make it to the big river if they did not eat soon. 

As they walked up the path they did not notice two dark eyes peering at them from the top window of the cute little cottage. They arrived at the front door and the most amazing smell hit their nostrils. They couldn’t help but take the deepest breath they could to take in more of it. The smell was mesmerizing and hypnotic. It reminded them of the village bakery they could never afford to buy treats from. The sweet smell was a delicious mix of cinnamon, chocolate chip cookies, buttery shortbread and even a faint hint of fairy floss.

Hansel lifted his hand to the shiny red door knocker and tapped it three times. He looked closer at it with confusion. Gretel was also perplexed and stared at the door closely. Beautiful patterns as intricate as lace covered the door that looked like.. No it couldn’t be…  “Ummm Gretel… I think the door knocker is made out of candy…” Hansel’s voice trailed off as his eyes took in the rest of the house.  “The door! It’s made of gingerbread, Hansel!” Gretel exclaimed. 

It was true. The door and the walls were made from gingerbread and shortbread panels glued together with white icing. The windows were made of clear toffee and colourful sweets decorated the edges. The whole house was covered in different types of sweets. Lollipops and marshmallows decorated the garden and the roof looked like it was made of chocolate bark. It was like a dream and the children took turns to pinch each other.  “Ow!” yelled Hansel “Ow!” yelled Gretel.  “ What is all this fuss about?” a voice called out as the door swung open.

Before the children stood a small and frail looking old woman. She had grey hair neatly swept up in a plain bun and wore a pink dress that was the colour of marshmallows- actually it was made of soft marshmallows! Thick glasses sat on the end of her nose and she squinted at the children standing before her.

“Ahhh children! Come in! Come in! You look starved. Here, I’ve just made a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies.” 

Hansel and Gretel stepped inside the gingerbread cottage. It was darker than they expected but still quite cosy. The old lady made the children sit down and offered them the plate of cookies.  Hansel reached out and grabbed three. Gretel wanted to do the same but she knew that was not polite and elbowed Hansel in the ribs.  “It’s okay dear, I can see you are very hungry.” the lady said sweetly.   Gretel’s mouth was watering and she could see that Hansel had already finished two cookies and was busy stuffing the third in his mouth. “I’m sorry for my brother’s lack of manners. Thank you for your kind hospitality.” Gretel said then took a bite of the cookie. Gretel felt the crumbly buttery goodness melt into her mouth. The chocolate chips were big and chunky. It was the most delicious thing she had eaten in her lifetime! 

“Here, have some more.” the old lady held up the tray. The children could not control themselves, they ate cookie after cookie after cookie until nothing but crumbs were left.  Gretel didn’t know what had taken hold of her and she felt quite embarrassed. Her stomach was the fullest it had been in maybe forever. Back at their old home they had never enough food to satisfy the smallest of them. 

“We are so sorry,” she gasped. “ We don’t even know your name! We came here wanting to know if you had any jobs to be done in exchange for a meal. We are willing to work now that we have eaten all your delicious cookies!”  “I’m sorry I ate all of your cookies,” Hansel added sheepishly.

“ Oh children I’m just happy you found me. I’m so lonely here on my own and could do with someone to help out around the house. And never mind about the cookies. I don’t eat them. I just love to bake and hope someone will drop by.” Hansel smiled but Gretel studied the old woman carefully. She noticed how thin and bony the woman was and even thought to herself how strange her eyes were. Like they were hungrily looking at them. But how could she be hungry with all these delicious treats around? Hansel explained their sad situation and the old lady looked happy.  “Ah that is perfect! You will stay with me forever! Call me Granny.”

Hansel clapped his hands with joy but Gretel wasn’t so sure.  “Right, the first thing we need to do is make sure you have enough to eat! You are both the skinniest children I have ever seen.” 

Granny baked and cooked up a feast. The children had never tasted such delicious food and their faces glowed with health for the first time. All they seemed to do was eat but Granny never ate with them. Instead she would watch them with a pleased smile on her face.  Granny never seemed to learn their names no matter how many times they told her. She would just call them Boy and Girl. She especially loved Hansel. He ate everything she gave him and was becoming round and plump. 

Gretel became uneasy and spoke to Hansel quietly one day.  “I don’t like it, something is not right.”  “Granny loves us! She doesn’t want us to leave. It would break her heart.” Hansel whined.  “Then how come she doesn’t call us by our names? How come we never see her eating? Why is she obsessed with feeding us?”  “I don’t know,” Hansel admitted. “I thought we could stay here forever. I don’t want to go back out to the forest alone.”  That night at dinner Hansel and Gretel were quiet and did not eat as much as usual despite Granny piling their plates high with food.  “What’s wrong Boy and Girl? Eat up!” Granny’s voice was sounding a little annoyed.

“My name is Hansel, not Boy,” said Hansel as he pushed his plate away from him.  This seemed to infuriate Granny.  “Eat it Boy, I spent all day cooking that for you!” screamed Granny. 

Gretel stood up and held on to Hansel.  “I’m sorry Granny, it seems we have overstayed our welcome. We will be leaving now.” Gretel was calm yet her heart was thumping in her chest. 

Granny began to laugh. It was a soft laugh at first then it turned into a harsh cackle.  “I’m sorry children but you cannot leave yet. I thought I could wait a little longer but I’m really quite hungry.” 

Gretel and Hansel backed away from the little table full of food and the little old lady sitting there calmly.

“Why don’t you eat something then?” Gretel called out. 

“Fine I will, and I will begin with that delicious plump brother of yours,” cackled Granny slowly rising up from her chair. 

Gretel pushed Hansel behind her and tried to turn the doorknob. It was locked. The children had not realised that every night Granny had locked them in with a key. 

Granny rushed towards them and with stronger than expected strength snatched up Hansel and pushed him into the kitchen. Gretel ran after her but was thrown back against the pantry.  Granny took out a large pot and heaved it on to the kitchen table. Inside she placed the sobbing Hansel who was now tightly bound with rope,  a handful of salt and some garlic and onions. 

“Girl, be a dear and wash up for me” Granny called out. During the time the children had spent there Gretel had helped in the kitchen bringing in wood for the fire, washing up and helping to bake. Granny had quite liked the help.  “No way!” Gretel replied but froze.  Standing there with a knife to her brother's throat was Granny.  “Help me now and your brother lives another night and you can say a proper goodbye to him in the morning. Refuse and you will never see him again.”  Gretel sobbed as she washed the dishes but was also frantically thinking of a plan to get her and Hansel to safety.

Gretel bent down to light the fire with the flint still pretending to sob. Gretel managed to get the fire roaring but closed the door of the oven and called out to Granny.  “The flint is not working either Granny!” 

“Give it to me!” Granny ordered and snatched it out of Gretel’s hand. 

As Granny bent down to open the oven Gretel took out the little pot her family had given her out of the pack. She rose it high above her head and whacked the back of Granny’s skull knocking her unconscious.  She rushed over to Hansel and cut his ropes with the kitchen knife. 

“Gretel!” Hansel shrieked. The children both looked at Granny as she began to stir. Hansel quickly jumped out of the pot.

When the sun rose that morning so did Granny. Gretel had remained by Hansel's side holding his hand.  “Light the fire Girl!” Granny ordered. 

Gretel got up to do as she was told. She fumbled with the box of matches Granny had thrown at her and began to cry.  “Granny I can’t light the fire. My tears have soaked the matches.” 

“Stupid girl!” Granny shrieked with rage and rushed at Gretel.  “No wait! I have a flint in my pack, I’ll go and get it” the girl rushed out of the kitchen to get her bag. She ran back in carrying the whole pack having hidden the knife in her boot. 

Hansel was still sobbing inside the pot as Granny piled up vegetables around him. She was beginning to add water now to make Hansel Soup.

Before the old lady could stand up straight the children rushed towards her. Gretel opened the door of the oven and Hansel gave the witch an almighty push. The children watched in horror as the witch’s marshmallow dress caught alight and she was engulfed in flames. 

Granny was gone and the children knew they could not stay in that house of horrors no matter how sweet it seemed on the outside. Gretel gathered as many supplies as she could so she and Hansel could begin a new life somewhere else. 

The children traveled through the rest of the forest without incident and came to a new town on the other side. They rented a small house with money they had found in a jar that Granny had kept under her bed. Hansel and Gretel began a small and successful business selling the treats that Granny had taught them how to make while they stayed with her. The chocolate chip cookies were soon the talk of the town and the children were never hungry again. 

Original story by The Brothers Grimm A horror story retold by N. Esplago