Hansel and Gretel's Sweet Adventure

In a cozy little cottage, with a garden full of sun, lived a brother, Hansel, and a sister, Gretel, who loved to play and run. Hansel was brave, and Gretel was smart, and they were best friends right from the start.

One sunny morning, while playing near the wood, a sparkly bird with rainbow wings appeared, just where they stood. "Let's follow it!" cried Hansel, with a happy, joyful sound. Gretel clapped her hands, "What a fun game we have found!"

They followed the bird, skipping left and right, deeper in the forest, with all their might. But soon the little bird flew far away from sight, and the big, bright sun began to say goodnight. They looked around and realized, with a little sigh, they didn't know the way home, no matter how they'd try.

Just then, a yummy smell of vanilla filled the air. They followed their noses, a curious little pair. And what they saw was magical, a wonderful surprise! A house of cookies and candy appeared before their eyes!

The chocolate door creaked open, and a lady, sweet and kind, with rosy cheeks and a big smile, was what they came to find. "Hello, little ones!" she chirped. "I'm the Candy Lady. Do you like my house? Come inside, it's not the least bit shady!"

Inside was a dream world, a sweet and tasty place! With gingerbread chairs and marshmallow pillows all over the space. The Candy Lady gave them yummy cakes to eat and played fun games that were such a treat.

Though Hansel and Gretel had lots of fun that day, they started to miss their parents, who were far away. "We should go home now," Gretel said, polite and sweet. The Candy Lady winked, "Oh, the door is stuck, what a feat! Just stay the night, my dears, and in the morning light, I'll help you find your way home, everything will be all right."

But Gretel had an idea, so clever and so bright! She remembered shiny pebbles, gathered in the light. She whispered her smart plan to Hansel, soft and low. He smiled and nodded, "Yes! That's the way to go!"

Hansel ran to the Candy Lady, with a twinkle in his eye. "We heard of a magic 'Giggle-Bush' that grows beneath the sky! Its branches drip with jelly, a truly wondrous thing! It makes the best cakes ever, or so the birdies sing!"

The Candy Lady loved the thought! With a basket in her hand, she hurried off to find the bush somewhere in the land. As soon as she was gone, Gretel dropped the pebbles, one by one, making a shiny path that glittered in the sun.

The morning sunbeams made the pebbles glow and gleam. Following the shiny path was like a happy dream. Soon they heard a sound they knew, a welcome, loving call: "Hansel! Gretel!" It was their parents, standing strong and tall!

They ran toward the voices, as fast as they could go, and found their mom and dad, who had been worried so. They hugged each other tightly, happy to be found. And Hansel and Gretel learned that day, on safe and solid ground, that when you stick together and use your clever mind, there's no problem you can't solve, and happiness you'll find.