Hansel & Gretel

In bygone days, when facing ruin,
They did whatever needed doing.
It follows and it’s not a mystery,
A man agreed his kids were history.

His wife, his second, very heartless,
Persuaded him the kids were surplus.
‘We can’t afford to buy them food.
Let’s try to lose them in the wood?’

But noble Hansel heard her scheming,
And hatched a plan to thwart her dreaming,
Collected stones and strewed them shrewdly.
They both got home. Step-mum swore crudely.

She tried again. No stones to trail.
And Hansel thought, ‘Well bread won’t fail!’
A big mistake. He really blew it.
Birds ate the crumbs. He learnt to rue it.

So, lost and hungry on they strayed,
Until they reached a shady glade
A cottage there of cake so sweet.
They got stuck in. A major treat.

Then out there came this kind old Gran,
To say ‘Eat up all the food you can.
And then come in and be my guest.
You really need to take a rest’.

Before he knew it, he was trussed.
Into a cage was firmly thrust.
‘I’ll fatten you until you’re prime.
And then I’ll eat you. Perhaps with thyme?’

And Gretel swept and cleaned in pain,
Till Stockholm Syndrome took her brain.
When Granny cooked her brother dear,
She helped herself and gave a cheer.