🎧 Emma's Library Audiobook cover: Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

Classical Stories · No. 69 — A trail of crumbs, a house of candy, and children cleverer than the witch.

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About this audiobook

In a time of famine, Hansel and Gretel are left deep in the forest. Clever Hansel first drops white pebbles that shine in the moonlight and leads them home — but the second time he has only breadcrumbs, and the birds eat the trail. Truly lost, the children find a cottage built of gingerbread, cake, and spun sugar, and fall hungrily upon it — which is exactly the trap of the witch who lives there and lures children with sweets. She cages Hansel to fatten him; but Gretel keeps her wits, plays along, and when the witch bends to check the oven, Gretel's quick courage turns the witch's own trap against her. The children free themselves, find the witch's treasure, and follow a helpful duck back across the water to home.

Why it's worth a listen

Lost in a vast forest by a trail of breadcrumbs the birds ate, a brother and sister stumble on a cottage made of gingerbread and sugar — and the kind old woman who lives there is not kind at all. But this is a story where the children are the clever ones: Gretel's quick thinking saves them both. A classic told with just enough shiver and a whole lot of courage.

A question to keep

When the grown-ups can't save you, can two children save each other?

Based on the book by A tale from Germany, published by Emma's Library original retelling

Chapters

  1. The Shadow of the Great Forest
  2. A Trail of Moonlit Silver
  3. The Hungry Birds of the Wood
  4. The House Built of Sweetness
  5. The Cage and the Iron Door
  6. Across the Shining Water
  7. A Question to Keep