Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep within a dense forest, there lived a brother and sister named Hansel and Gretel. Their father was a woodcutter, and their mother had passed away when they were very young. Life was difficult for the family, as times were hard and food was scarce.

One day, unable to bear the burden of feeding her children, the stepmother devised a plan to abandon them in the forest. Desperate and heartbroken, Hansel overheard their plan and cleverly gathered white pebbles during the night, which he scattered along the path leading home. The next morning, the family set out into the woods. Guided by the sparkling stones, Hansel led his sister back to safety.

However, the stepmother tried again, this time using bread crumbs instead of pebbles. Unfortunately, the birds feasted on the crumbs, leaving the children lost and alone in the vast wilderness. As they wandered aimlessly, they stumbled upon a peculiar house made entirely of sweets. The house belonged to an old witch who lured them inside with promises of food and comfort.

Unbeknownst to Hansel and Gretel, the witch had sinister intentions. She locked Hansel in a cage to fatten him up for consumption while forcing Gretel to perform household chores. Gretel, quick-witted and brave, managed to outsmart the witch. One day, when the witch instructed Gretel to check the oven, Gretel pushed her into the flames, killing her instantly.

With the witch defeated, the children gathered all the treasure from her house and returned home to their father. Overjoyed to see his children again, the family lived happily ever after, free from hunger and danger.

This timeless tale of "Hansel and Gretel" teaches valuable lessons about resilience, resourcefulness, and the triumph of good over evil. It remains a beloved story that has been retold and adapted countless times, captivating audiences across generations.