Hansel and Gretyl

It was a dark stormy night in the town of Bevelle,
and in the smallest of hovels all was not well.
The family inside were at war with each other,
in the corner sat sobbing a sister and brother.
Their parents were fighting for there was no more food,
nor water to drink which further worsened the mood.
“We can’t afford to keep them, let alone ourselves!
We’re damning each other and the children to Hell!”
As the fists came raining down on the face of their mother,
the sister stopped crying and took the hand of her brother.
“Don’t worry dear Hansel, let us run away!
We’ll go into the forest and find our own place to stay,
we can leave a trail of breadcrumbs so we can find our way home…
…until then we are best to leave mum and dad alone.”
So the children left Bevelle, their breadcrumbs trailing behind
(though they didn’t notice the crows that picked at the rinds).
After three days of walking they were nearing collapse,
“A little further, dear Gretyl, I see a clearing at last!”
And sure enough, there it was, a field surrounded by trees,
and in the middle – a cottage! Made of chocolate and sweets!
The children smiled with delight and ran to the house,
stuffing gingerbread house bricks into their mouths.
“Let’s go inside!” said Hansel, “There may be more sweets!”
But what waited inside was not quite a liquorice treat…
For in the cottage lived Griselda, a twisted old witch,
who had built the little house to satiate her itch.
She was a wicked old woman who despised girls and boys -
so she lured them to her home with a crooked cottage of joys.
“Oh, children!” she squealed as they peeked through the door,
“Do come in and sit down, please feel free to eat more!”
So Hansel and Gretyl ate while Griselda cackled with glee,
“I’ll have two plump little kiddies to eat for my tea!”
Once their stomachs were filled with sickly delights
the witch ushered them to bed and turned off the light.
”Sleep tight, darling kiddies, and worry no more!
I’ll be here in the morning with sugar galore!”
But when morning came, poor little Gretyl discovered
that the true intention of the witch was soon to be uncovered.
Hansel was missing; his candy-floss mattress disturbed,
and from the kitchen came a scent of something boiling in herbs.
”What have you done with my brother?” Gretyl screamed through her tears
as Griselda tasted her cooking and confirmed the girl’s fears.
”I’m sorry my darling, but you really must see
that this gingerbread house isn’t quite enough for three!
Dear Hansel is the starter and then it will be your turn,
so do get yourself a plate before the stew starts to burn.”