Hansel and Gretel

During a famine, a woodcutter’s wife persuades him to abandon his children in the forest. Hansel overhears them and gathers white pebbles. When their father leaves them, the stones shine in the moonlight and guide Hansel and Grethel home.

The next time, the door is locked, so Hansel cannot collect pebbles. He drops breadcrumbs instead, but birds eat them. Lost and hungry, the children discover a house made of bread, cake and sugar. Its elderly owner welcomes them with food and beds.

She is a witch who eats children. She imprisons Hansel to fatten him and forces Grethel to work. Each morning, Hansel offers a bone through the bars instead of his finger. The witch’s poor eyesight prevents her from noticing the trick.

Eventually she decides to cook him anyway. When she orders Grethel to climb into the oven, Grethel pretends not to understand. The witch leans inside to demonstrate; Grethel pushes her in and shuts the door.

After freeing Hansel, Grethel helps gather the witch’s pearls and jewels. A duck carries them across a stretch of water, one child at a time. They find their father, who has been miserable since abandoning them. His wife has died. The children empty their treasure into the house, and the family’s hunger and hardship end.