Hansel and Grethel

The immortal fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm owes a lot of its popularity to its darker tones. After all, it tells a story about parents who are willing to leave their children in the woods, so they can improve their own chances to survive in times of hunger.

Pauli Ebner pictured the story as follows:

Hansel heard the talk between the parents. They plan to go to the woods and leave them there. Grethel is desparate, but Hansel has a plan.

Hansel picked a lot of white stones to mark the way from their home into the woods. He intends to return by the trail of the stones.

Hansel's plan is a success. Pebbles are thrown all the way and when the night comes, kids don't have any trouble coming back. The path, marked by the white stones is clearly visible.

They were forced to spend the night under a tree. Fortunately, none of the beasts in the forest attacked them. So they strayed through the wood, tired and hungry, until they came to the strange hut. The hut in the wood was made of gingerbread and other sweets. Hansel and Grethel immediately started eating the parts of the hut.  

Yet at home, they are not welcomed at all. Their stepmother is furious when she finds out the kids with their hungry stomachs are back again. The next day they must go to the woods again. This time even deeper.

Unfortunately, Hansel didn't have a chance to pick any stones. He tried to mark the road with bread crumbs but the birds ate them all.

Kids were lost in the woods.

Soon, an old woman came out and invited them in. They didn't know she was a man-eating witch who lured kids into her magical home to eat them.