Ганзель і Гретель

           Hardbyagreatforestdweltapoorwood-cutterwithhiswifeandhistwochildren. TheboywascalledHanselandthegirlGrethel. Hehadlittletobiteandtobreak,andoncewhengreatscarcityfellontheland,hecouldnolongerprocuredailybread. Nowwhenhethoughtoverthisbynightinhisbed,andtossedaboutinhisanxiety,hegroanedandsaidtohiswife, "Whatistobecomeofus?Howarewetofeedourpoorchildren,whenwenolongerhaveanythingevenforourselves?" "I’lltellyouwhat,husband,"answeredthewoman,"Earlyto-morrowmorningwewilltakethechildrenoutintotheforesttowhereitisthethickest,therewewilllightafireforthem,andgiveeachofthemonepieceofbreadmore,andthenwewillgotoourworkandleavethemalone.Theywillnotfindthewayhomeagain,andweshallberidofthem." "No,wife,"saidtheman,"Iwillnotdothat;howcanIbeartoleavemychildrenaloneintheforest?—thewildanimalswouldsooncomeandtearthemtopieces." "O,thoufool!"saidshe,"Thenwemustallfourdieofhunger,thoumayestaswellplanetheplanksforourcoffins,"andshelefthimnopeaceuntilheconsented. "ButIfeelverysorryforthepoorchildren,allthesame,"saidtheman. 

           Thetwochildrenhadalsonotbeenabletosleepforhunger,andhadheardwhattheirstep-motherhadsaidtotheirfather.Grethelweptbittertears,andsaidtoHansel, "Nowallisoverwithus." "Bequiet,Grethel,"saidHansel,"donotdistressthyself,Iwillsoonfindawaytohelpus."