“Hansel, what is it that you think you’re up to?” she shouted.
Again, Gretel quickly cameup with a way to distract their mother:
“Mother! Mother! A wild forest fairy just flew into your hair!”
Panicked, Hansel and Gretel’s mother began to shake and squirm; she disheveled her hair and screeched with fear.
This gave Hansel time to catch up.
“You children will be the death of me. Hurry along NOW,” their mother grumbled.
They travelled for a few more miles until they came to a very small clearing – even smaller than the previous.
“I am going to find a good place to chop wood. Both of you, STAY PUT! I will come back for you shortly,” she commanded and declared. So the children waited, and waited, AND waited, but their mother never returned for them.
