Flashback Friday - The True Story of Hansel and Gretel - Scene 4

Another week, another scene. If you missed the first three scenes, check out Scene 1, Scene 2, and Scene 3 here. If you're caught up, enjoy!

Scene 4

(Hansel and Gretel are deep in the woods.)

GRETEL

(Nervous.) Hansel! I think we’re too far away from home.

HANSEL

(Teasing.) Nonsense. I’ve been out here loads of times with Oskar and Kurt. We think we found something last time.

GRETEL

(Scared.) F-f-found something?

HANSEL

Yep. We would have looked further if it hadn’t been for that dog howling.

GRETEL

D-d-d-dog? Like Frau Koch’s one-eyed watch-dog?

HANSEL

(Trying to scare his sister.) The very same. Turns out that Oskar was telling the truth. I didn’t believe him and neither did Kurt so one day Oskar took us out to see if we could find her cottage. We made it until (stopping) right here. That’s when we heard the dog.

GRETEL

Was it the one-eyed dog?

HANSEL

(In a spooky voice.) Yes. Kurt saw it with his own eyes!

GRETEL

(Gasps.) No! We need to leave!

HANSEL

(In his normal voice.) Come on! It’s not a big deal. You said it wasn’t real. I guess we’ll find out together.

(They walk deeper into the woods until they see a cottage in a clearing.)

GRETEL

(Gasps.) That’s it! Frau Koch’s cottage!

HANSEL

(Surprised, dropping pretense.) It’s really here? (Curious now.) Come on! Let’s go knock on the door!

GRETEL

(Pulling on her brother’s arm.) No, Hansel. Remember Luther? He was never seen again. Remember what Oskar told us! (It suddenly becomes dark as a storm comes rolling in. They feel drops of rain falling.) Come on Hansel, it’s starting to rain. We need to get home before it gets worse.

HANSEL

(Looking at the cottage.) No one could live out here. I’m sure it’s empty. We can just wait in here until the rain passes.

GRETEL

What if Oskar is right? What if Frau Koch lives here?

HANSEL

(Annoyed.) Oh, please, Gretel. That’s just a story Oskar tells little kids to scare them. It’s not real. It never happened.

GRETEL

(Confused.) Then why did you bring me here into the woods if the story isn’t real?

HANSEL

(A little ashamed.) I thought it would be funny to spook you a little. I mean, you seemed so scared when Oskar told us that story. I saw it on your face. So I thought I could have some fun with it and it would be harmless. (Looking at the cottage.) I didn’t think there was actually a house here!

GRETEL

(Looking up at the sky as she feels more rain.) Hansel, we need to get somewhere safe. It’s starting to rain harder and I feel the wind getting strong now.

HANSEL

Let’s just go in here. No lights are on. (Pointing around the cottage.) Look, all the plants are overgrown. Obviously no one lives here anymore. We’ll just stay here and wait out the storm.

GRETEL

(Nervous.) But…

HANSEL

(Excitedly.) Let’s go.

(Gretel whimpers as they quietly walk up to the door. Hansel knocks and they wait in silence.)

GRETEL

(Whispering.) Oh. Maybe nobody is home.

(Just then the door creaks open. An old woman appears.)

FRAU KOCH

(Cackling.) Come in, my little pretties. It’s time to eat. Won’t you join me at the table?

GRETEL

(Scared.) I’m sorry, Frau, we didn’t know anyone lived here. We must be on our way.

FRAU KOCH

Nonsense, my sweet little girl, it has started to rain. (Sudden thunder is heard.) You must come in out of the rain or else you will get sick.

HANSEL

Come on, Gretel.

GRETEL

(To Hansel) Better sick than dead!

HANSEL

(Whispering.) Shh! She won’t do anything. 

(The house is turned to reveal a kitchen.)

FRAU KOCH

(Uses a board to block the door. Pointing to chairs.) Now, take a seat. I will start my preparations for my new dinner! (She rustles through the kitchen, adding various ingredients to a cauldron over a fire.) Yes, that’s right. This will be perfect. You have inspired this one, my sweets! This is exactly what is needed for a boy and girl. (Continues to fuss about the kitchen, preparing a stew.)

HANSEL

(Whispering, suddenly realizing this isn’t a joke.) Oh no, Gretel! I think you’re right! I think she is going to eat us!

GRETEL

Wait, you just told me that you were playing a prank on me. I’m not going to fall for that again. I know you and your friends think I’ll just believe anything, but not this time.

HANSEL

(Whispering.) Gretel! Keep your voice down! I’m serious this time! I’m not playing a prank. I really think that Oskar wasn’t just telling a story this time.

GRETEL

Really?

HANSEL

I swear.

GRETEL

(Whispering) So what do we do? We can’t just stay here.

HANSEL

What if we kicked down the door and ran?

GRETEL

I think she’d catch us before we got to the door. Besides that bar looks heavy and I don’t think we could lift it by ourselves. What if we tricked her and then pushed her into the fire? (Thunder claps louder.)

HANSEL

Seriously, Gretel, that’s worse than my idea! Where do you get ideas like that, from fairytales?

GRETEL

Well, we’ve got to think of something! We can’t just let her eat us!

FRAU KOCH

(Stopping what she is doing, she grabs a bucket of water and a bar of soap.) You must wash up, dearies. (Hands them the bucket and soap. Picks up a bowl of potatoes and another bucket of water.) While you wash, I will wash the potatoes. Everything must be clean for dinner. Then it will be time to warm you up. (Continues to wash the potatoes.)

GRETEL

(Really scared now, washing quickly) Hansel! Think of something! I’m too young to die! (Thunder.)

HANSEL

I don’t know! I can’t think of anything! (He looks around the room while lathering up.) What about that window over there? See it?

GRETEL

(Looking in the direction Hansel has indicated.) Yeah.

HANSEL

What if I threw this bucket of water on her? Then I could step on her foot, push her to the ground, and hold her. While I’m doing that, you can escape through the window.

GRETEL

What about you? I can’t go and just leave you here to die.

HANSEL

It’s my fault we’re here in the first place. I’m your older brother. It’s my job to protect you.

GRETEL

No! You must find a way to escape too. (She looks around and spots a broom next to the fireplace.) What if you took that broom and knocked her on the head? Then you could throw the table and chairs behind you as a barrier and escape through the same window.

HANSEL

(Thinking about it.) That might work, but it’ll have to happen fast. And she can’t be watching.

GRETEL

You’re right. We’ll need to wait until her back is turned. (Thunder.)

HANSEL

(Regretfully.) I’m sorry I tried to play a prank on you. It wasn’t very nice and I shouldn’t have done it.

GRETEL

I understand. I mean, you were just trying to be funny.

HANSEL

If we ever get out of here, I promise I’ll never do anything like that again. (Thunder.)

GRETEL

(Looking at Frau Koch who has just spilled the potatoes on the floor.) Wait, now’s the perfect chance! On the count of three?

HANSEL

Yes. On my count. One. Two….

FRAU KOCH

(Bringing the bowl of potatoes off of the floor and cleaning them again.) Do you children like cupcakes?

HANSEL

Thr… (Stops, confused) cupcakes?

FRAU KOCH

(Turns to the oven and pulls out a fresh batch of cupcakes) Yes, cupcakes. I love to make sweets. Gingerbread, cookies, cakes, and any other treat. Would you like one?

HANSEL

(Confused.) Why would you want to give us cupcakes?

FRAU KOCH

Because they are fresh out of the oven, dearie. Besides, you need to be fattened up. You are too skinny. Someone could snap you like a twig. (She returns to the kitchen to gather plates and cupcakes.)

HANSEL

(To Gretel.) Great. Now we won’t be able to escape. She’s going to stuff us so full of treats we won’t be able to walk. (Thunder.)

GRETEL

What happened to the plan?

HANSEL

(Looking at Frau Koch.) Well, now she’s watching us. We’re going to have to make a new plan.

GRETEL

What’s wrong with the old plan?

FRAU KOCH

(Placing plates and cupcakes on the table.) Come on now children. Eat. (Hansel and Gretel reluctantly walk over to the table.) Good children. Now, all these cupcakes must be eaten before I can finish making my stew. (She returns to stir the pot over the fire.)

HANSEL

(Whispering.) There have to be 20 cupcakes here! How are we going to eat them all? (Thunder.)

GRETEL

Well, we don’t want to eat them. The longer it takes, the longer we have to come up with a plan to get out of here.

HANSEL

(Stuffing a cupcake into his mouth.) We’ve got to think of something.

GRETEL

(Looks at him.) Hansel! What if the cupcakes are poisoned?

HANSEL

(Spitting out the cupcake.) I hadn’t thought of that. You might be right. Thanks.

GRETEL

Don’t mention it. (Thunder.)

HANSEL

(Looking around the room.) How can we get out of here? It looks like this is the only room in the house.

GRETEL

So we’re stuck in here with her?

HANSEL

Yeah, I guess we are. Our only chance is if her back is turned or if she falls asleep.

GRETEL

What are the chances of that?

HANSEL

I don’t know, but that’s all we’ve got.

GRETEL

So are we just going to wait here until she eats us?

FRAU KOCH

(Turning around to them.) What kind of meat do you like in your stew? (Hansel and Gretel look at each other.) I like fresh meat myself. (Thunder sounds from further away.)

GRETEL

Oh no! Here it comes!

FRAU KOCH

(Looking around the kitchen.) Now, where’s that meat that the butcher dropped off earlier today?

HANSEL

(Confused.) The butcher?

FRAU KOCH

Yes, the butcher. He’s an old friend of mine. Of course, not as old as me. But he helps me with all the meats that I need. Good meat doesn’t just come to your door every day.

GRETEL

(Stuttering.) What kind of meat was it?

FRAU KOCH

Beef. There have been quite a lot of cattle in the area lately. Beef is perfect for a stew.

HANSEL

(Still confused.) So you are making a beef stew?

FRAU KOCH

(Slightly confused.) Well, yes, as long as I find the beef.

HANSEL

Just a beef stew?

FRAU KOCH

Of course, I have carrots and potatoes and broth, but yes, just a beef stew.

GRETEL

Wait, you don’t want to turn us into a stew?

FRAU KOCH

(Confused.) Excuse me? No, of course not, dearie. Why on earth would I want a children’s stew? Who do you think I am – a witch?

HANSEL

You’re not going to eat us?

FRAU KOCH

(Stunned.) Of course not, my boy. Why would you think I would eat you two darling children?

GRETEL

(Shyly.) Because of Luther.

FRAU KOCH

(Still confused.) Luther?

HANSEL

You know, the boy who came into your house and was never seen again.

FRAU KOCH

Is that what they are saying in the village? (Laughs.) Rumors these days are crazier than ever. (She clears her throat.) Luther is my grandson.

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Grandson?

FRAU KOCH

Yes, he was living with me for a while so his parents could work and build a home for them in Munich. His father is a school teacher, you know.

GRETEL

So Luther didn’t disappear?

FRAU KOCH

Well, not in that way. He moved to Munich with his mother and father once the house was built. I took him there myself.

HANSEL

What about the one-eyed watch-dog?

FRAU KOCH

(Confused.) Dog? Well, I did have a dog a long time ago, but he died of old age. I don’t know how young folks like you could have heard of Manfred.

GRETEL

If you aren’t going to eat us….

FRAU KOCH

(Bewildered.) Why do you think I would eat you?

HANSEL

Why did you block the door?

FRAU KOCH

Oh, this? (Walking over to the door and pointing to the wood.) My house is getting old so when there is a storm, I need to bar the door shut to keep it close. If I didn’t, the storm would be inside the house!

GRETEL

So none of the story is true?

FRAU KOCH

(Utterly lost.) What story are you talking about, my dear?

HANSEL

(Sheepishly.) A friend of mine at school told us a story about an old woman who lived in the woods and ate little children.

FRAU KOCH

(Surprised.) Oh my! (To Gretel.) And you believe this?

GRETEL

(Nodding her head.) Yes, I did.

FRAU KOCH

(Laughing.) Oh my! Me, a witch?! And eating little children?! This is silly. I guess I need to get out more. (Sitting down. Lovingly.) Come here, my dear. (Gestures to Gretel. She goes and sits on her lap.) Now, some people tell stories. Fairytales, really. But that’s all they are. Stories. Most of them don’t have much truth to them. Usually, they’re just there to entertain you or scare you like this story apparently did. They aren’t real. You shouldn’t let them bother you so much.

GRETEL

You’re right. They’re just a bunch of fairytales.

FRAU KOCH

And they’re never completely true.

(There is a knock at the door.)

FRAU KOCH

(Gets up, unbars the door, and answers it.) Yes? Oh, hello, Holtzmann. I assume you’re looking for your children.

HOLTZMANN

(Enters the room.) Yes, the storm hit and they hadn’t come home so I needed to see if they had found a place that was dry. (Changing his glance from Frau Koch to Hansel and Gretel.) Hello, children.

HANSEL AND GRETEL

Father! (Run up and give him a hug.)

HOLTZMANN

I see you’ve met Frau Koch.

HANSEL

Do you know her, Father?

HOLTZMANN

Yes, I was friends with her son when I was a little boy. (To Frau Koch.) How is Peter by the way?

FRAU KOCH

Very good. He’s in Munich teaching school now.

HOLTZMANN

Excellent! Tell him hello for me.

FRAU KOCH

I will. (Taking a basket of cupcakes.) Take these home for your family and give my thanks to your wife for the sugar she lent me last week.

HOLTZMANN

(Accepting the basket) Of course. And thank you. These look delicious. (To the children) Speaking of your mother, she must be worried about us. I’ve been out looking for you for a while now. We should get home. The storm has passed. (To Frau Koch.) Thank you for protecting my children from the rain, Frau Koch.

FRAU KOCH

You’re welcome anytime. I love visitors!

GRETEL

Can we come another time, Father?

HOLTZMANN

Of course. Now say goodbye.

HANSEL AND GRETEL

(Waving to Frau Koch.) Auf wiedersehen!

(Hansel and Gretel follow their father back through the woods and to their home where their mother greets them with hugs.)