Real Story of Hansel and Grethel
Grethel thought she might have to protect her brother
From her psychotic father and her abusive grandmother
Where oh where had disappeared their lovely mother?
Who used to protect Grethel and Hansel, her brother?
She suggested they leave in the middle of the night.
They waited until well after midnight to take their flight.
Hansel picked up seashells, thinking they were pebbles, light.
Grethel let him have his fantasy, she felt quite right.
Your mother is gone, the wind told Grethel, but you must leave.
Your father and his mother have wickedness up their sleeve.
I will guide you to a place where you will be safe this eve.
But make haste please. Danger is here, and you had better believe.
They traveled for six nights, and slept in the woods during the days.
No one found them. For this Grethel and Hansel both gave praise.
For their home life was no place for an animal to live or to graze.
God took care of them, hiding them from their guardian’s abusive ways.
We need to camouflage you, an old crone said when they got to her.
She changed them into bears, giving them the prettiest eyes and fur.
They saw their relatives coming over the hill after this unique spell.
They chased them from that forest with their teeth bared as well.
You are safe now, the wind told them. Leaves twinkled their mirth.
Hansel and Gretel felt better now than since their birth.
They never found their mother, but they spent the rest of their time
Eating honey and berries, in woods that were safe and sublime.
Copyright © Caren Krutsinger | Year Posted 2022
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