Hansel and Grethel · page 21 2101And there is no boat, either," said Grethel; "but there swims a white duck, and I will ask her to help us over."102And she sang:103"Little Duck, good little Duck, Grethel and Hansel, here we stand; There is neither stile nor bridge, Take us on your back to land."104So the duck came to them, and Hansel sat himself on, and bade his sister sit behind him. "105No," answered Grethel, "that will be too much for the duck; she shall take us over one at a time."106This the good little bird did, and when both were happily arrived on the other side, and had gone a little way, they came to a well-known wood, which they knew the better every step they went, and at last they perceived their father's house.107Then they began to run, and, bursting into the house, they fell into their father's arms.108He had not had one happy hour since he had left the children in the forest; and his wife was dead.109Grethel shook her apron, and the pearls and precious stones rolled out upon the floor, and Hansel threw down one handful after the other out of his pocket.110Then all their sorrows were ended, and they lived together in great happiness.111My tale is done.112There runs a mouse; whoever catches her may make a great, great cap out of her fur.1 2← previousThe Little Brother and Sisternext →Oh, If I Could But Shiver!↑ back to Grimm's Fairy StoriesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg11027/8/page/2/