At the break of dawn I set off into the forest. In places it was almost impassable and I had to fight my way through the undergrowth. The trees were so tall that I could not see the sky. I had no idea how far in or how long I had travelled when I came to a small clearing. It was only then that I could see the sun was already low on the horizon.

It was there that I decided to make my home. There was enough room to build a cottage and the soil seemed suitable for planting a garden. Here I could be self sufficient, away from humanity and their cruel taunts.

The first year was very hard. I had only a small axe and the rest of the tools I had to make by hand so that I could build my cottage, but slowly it went up, log by log. Mud was a good insulator for the cracks in the walls and the roof. It was hard work but when it was finished I was proud of my accomplishment.

It might not have looked the prettiest, but it was warm and dry and a refuge from the elements. In my eyes it had a certain charm, it was home.

During this hard year I had subsisted by trapping rabbits and by picking varies roots and berries. The few seeds that I had brought I planted and could now enjoy.

Life here in the forest was good. Now I had ample food for my needs and had even dug a cellar to store my excess. Any extra meat I dried and stored, this way it would keep forever.

I lived this way for a number of years. Forgotten was the cruel way I was treated in the village, here I had found peace and contentment. I thought that nothing could interfere with my life anymore.

One night I was sitting quietly in front of my fire when I heard strange noises outside. I had learned to ignore the noises of the forest but this was different. Next came a banging on the door. I had to see what it was. When I opened the door there stood two little children, a boy and a girl. I expected them to run away screaming but they just stood there with tears streaming down their faces.

“Please,” said the boy, “I am Hansel and my sister Gretel and I are lost. My father took us into the forest and just left us here. Please help us.”

What was I to do? Naturally I invited them in. what a mistake. I gave them food and water and even offered them my bed to sleep in for the night. They were so tired and worn out that I let them stay for a week to regain their strength.

I told them that when they were strong enough I would help them find their way home. On the eight day when I arose I found them gone. I searched the surrounding area but found no trace of them.