Reinterpretation by Sampurna Chatterjee, 6A

It was a fine, spring dawn,

When nature woke up and gave a yawn.

Beside the forest, there was a wretched little hut,

Nothing inside it but two children, their father and the wood that he cut.

Now the children’s names were Hansel and Gretel,

Who were pouring tea from their boiling kettle.

“Oh father! Can we come with you to the woods?” Hansel said.

“All right. Come on. But let’s take some bread.”

They helped their father cut the trees,

Amidst the soft and lovely breeze.

The twins just finished cutting one,

When they looked back and saw no one.

Their father wasn't there - he was gone!

They waited with beating hearts,

For with their father, they didn’t like to part.

How could their father leave them there,

And make them face a nightmare?

They slowly tried to go back to their shack,

But they went deeper instead of going back!

They sat down, exhausted, with tears in their eyes,

When they remembered - their stomachs empty - the bread and the spice.

They gobbled up one and continued to walk.

Making a trail with the other to leave a mark.

All of a sudden they saw a house,

Covered with sweets, treats and nibbling mouse!

They couldn’t believe their eyes.

A whole house made of chocolate, candies, sweet and spice!

Was this a house or something in disguise?

They went forward and started to eat,

And lick the walls filled with treat.

Suddenly, there was a noise,

They turned around to hear a voice.

“Starving children? Come in I implore!”

“If you love sweets, I have much more!”

 

They turned around and saw an old lady at the door.

They went in and saw a beautiful sight-

A dining table filled with food and a candlelight,

And as they sat down, they saw a raven in a cage,

Yelling at the lady to unlock it, in a rage.

They gobbled the food and were about to stand,

When the lady came back and took out a wand.

“Proscominus cantus kie!”

“Turn the kids to human pie!”

The wand fell on the floor.

In front of it, lay the hat of the lady who opened the door.

The disguised witch pointed the wand the wrong way,

And she herself was turned into pie that day!

The happy children ran to find the trail,

But they saw that their plan had failed.

There was just trees and soil and sand,

But no sign of crumbs on the forest land.

Was it a bird collecting food?

Or just the clouds in a bad mood?

So they were trapped; they could never go back,

To their lovely father in their small shack!

Just then they heard a noise,

“Follow me!” said a known hoarse voice.

The witch’s raven who was now free,

Was sitting on top of a large oak tree.

“I am now free from the witch’s control.

Because of my power it was me who she stole.

Trust me, I will not do any harm,

For I am free from the witch’s charm.”

“Through my magic, I can lead you back,

To your father in the tiny shack.”

The children followed him in glee,

Walking and walking through the trees.

Suddenly, they spotted their home - their shack!

Said the bird, “You gave me help and I gave it back.”

The children thanked him and waved goodbye,

And watched him, through the forest, fly.

Father shed a happy tear,

And next time they always stayed very near,

To avoid the trouble and fear.

 

About the Author: I am Sampurna Chatterjee from grade 6A. I love to read and write poems. I also love swimming and singing.