Hansel and Gretel were brother and sister. They lived with their father and stepmother. The family was very poor. There was not enough food for everyone. The stepmother had a terrible plan. She wanted to leave the children in the forest. Hansel heard her plan that night. He went outside and collected white pebbles. The next day, the family walked into the forest. Hansel dropped the pebbles along the path. The parents left the children alone. But Hansel and Gretel followed the pebbles home. The stepmother was very angry. She locked the door so Hansel could not get pebbles. The next morning, they went to the forest again. This time, Hansel dropped pieces of bread. The parents left them deep in the forest. But the birds ate all the bread crumbs. Hansel and Gretel were lost. They walked for three days. Then they saw a wonderful house. The house was made of candy and cake! The children started to eat the house. An old woman came out. She looked kind and invited them inside. But she was actually a witch! The witch locked Hansel in a cage. She wanted to eat him when he was fat. Gretel had to cook and clean for the witch. Every day, the witch checked if Hansel was fat. But Hansel showed her a thin bone instead of his finger. The witch could not see well. After four weeks, the witch was impatient. She decided to eat Hansel anyway. She told Gretel to check if the oven was hot. Gretel pretended she did not understand. The witch showed her how to check the oven. Gretel pushed the witch into the fire! The witch died in the flames. Gretel freed her brother from the cage. They found gold and jewels in the witch's house. They filled their pockets with treasure. They found their way home at last. Their stepmother had died. Their father was so happy to see them. With the treasure, they never went hungry again. They lived happily together.
Hansel and Gretel
English Story for Elementarys (A2)
This A2 English story is designed for elementarys learning English. It includes simple vocabulary and short sentences to help you improve your reading and listening skills. Click any word to see translations and hear pronunciation.
About this story
Two children are abandoned in a forest by their stepmother. They find a witch's candy house and are captured. Gretel tricks the witch and saves her brother. They return home with treasure and live happily with their father.
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