Stranica 123 [123]
HANSEL AND GRETHEL. QI
Oh what a grief for the poor little sister to have to fetch
water, and how the tears flowed down over her cheeks !
‘Dear God, pray help us!” cried she; “if we had been
devoured by wild beasts in the wood at least we should have
died together.”
“Spare me your lamentations,” said the old woman ; “ they
are of no avail.”
Early next morning Grethel had to get up, make the fire,
and fill the kettle.
‘‘ First we will do the baking,” said the old woman; "I
have heated the oven already, and kneaded the dough.”
She pushed poor Grethel towards the oven, out of which
the flames were already shining.
‘Creep in,” said the witch, "and see if it is properly hot,
so that the bread may be baked.”
And Grethel once in, she meant to shut the door upon her
and let her be baked, and then she would have eaten her.
But Grethel perceived her intention, and said,
‘“T don’t know how to do it: how shall I get in ?”
“Stupid goose,” said the old woman, “the opening is big
enough, do you see? I could get in myself!” and she stooped
down and put her head in the oven’s mouth. ‘Then Grethel
gave her a push, so that she went in farther, and she shut the
iron door upon her, and put up the bar. Oh how frightfully
she howled! but Grethel ran away, and left the wicked witch
to burn miserably. Grethel went straight to Hansel, opened
the stable-door, and cried,
“ Hansel, we are free! the old witch is dead!”
Then out flew Hansel like a bird from its cage as soon as
the door is opened. How rejoiced they both were ! how they
fell each on the other’s neck! and danced about, and kissed
each other! And as they had nothing more to fear they went
over all the old witch’s house, and in every corner there stood
chests of pearls and precious stones.
“This is something better than flint stones,” said Hansel, .
as he filled his pockets, and Grethel, thinking she also
would like to carry something home with her, filled her
apron full.
" Now, away we go,” said Hansel ;—“if we only can get
out of the witch's wood.”