The tale of Hansel and Gretel is well known
They fooled the witch with a chicken bone
They crisped her up on an open flame
And received only praise, and none of the blame
But look a little closer at these two
With innocent eyes of sparkling blue
They’d have you believe the fault was not theirs
That the gingerbread house caught them unawares
But what if I told you the house was brick?
That Hansel and Gretel played a trick?
That their parents didn’t leave them alone that day?
That they in fact… ran away?
That they saw the old lady, the withered crone
They knew that she was living alone
They knew that she was living alone
That they played on her sympathies, pretended to be kind
Then swooped in and robbed the woman blind?
Then swooped in and robbed the woman blind?
Oh yes – don’t believe all you read
Hansel and Gretel existed, that is certainly agreed
But unsuspecting victims? No, not those two
So be careful – next, they could target you!
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Each month, I receive a writing prompt as part of a link-up called Writers Reveal. This post was inspired by the prompt ‘a tale about siblings with a magical twist’ from Rhianna at A Parenting Life.
You can see what everyone else has done with the same prompt at:
You can see what everyone else has done with the same prompt at:
the Wolfe’s Den
Imagine! Create! Write!
How would you rewrite Hansel and Gretel if you had the chance?
Rhianna SG says
oh I love it! You are such a clever clogs!
Emily says
Thank you lovely, and thanks for the prompt! At first I had no idea what to do, but the Hansel and Gretel jumped out at me.
Denise Mooney says
Oh you have such a way with words Emily! I love it, and I’m tempted to join your blog prompts. I need to work on my poetry though!
Emily says
Thanks Denise! A ‘need to work on poetry’ is the perfect reason to join in – I’ll see what everyone thinks.
Claire Hewitt says
Great work, I loved this. Entertaining…and possibly true??
Emily says
Possibly – who knows what those Grimm brothers saw?
Me says
Love it – what a great twist you put on an old favourite.
Have the best day !
Me
Emily says
Thank you!
Jodi Gibson says
Your clever wit never ceases to amaze me Em x
Emily says
What a lovely thing to say! Blushing. x
Renee Wilson says
You really have a gift! I am in awe. This is awesome xx
Emily says
Thanks Renee!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
You sure are a wordsmith Em – that is just perfect! I do hope you have these somewhere to be published one day!!! Em – also visiting as part of #teamIBOT x
Emily says
I certainly do – right here! (Mental note: back up this blog.)
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset says
gosh you are so clever! I don’t know why I am always surprised by just how clever you are! Sorry lol! This is fantastic!
Emily says
I’m surprised by all these comments telling me I’m clever so don’t worry, I’m not at all offended! x
EssentiallyJess says
Oh that’s awesome! Best fairy tale ever. And I reckon probably far more likely than the other!
Emily says
Thanks Jess. Yeah, there was just something not quite right about H&G, wasn’t there?
Lauren Matheson says
You are so clever, i love it 🙂
Emily says
Thanks Lauren!
J.C. Wolfe says
Haha, love it! Hansel and Gretel with a dark yet hilarious twist. Very clever indeed! Well done!
Emily says
Thank you! Glad it’s hilarious – I just thought it was disturbing.
Kelly Exeter says
Ah love your poems Em. And love your take on Hansel and Gretel!!
Emily says
Thanks Kelly!
Sonia LifeLoveandHiccups says
That is awesome Em and it pretty much sums up the modern day fairy tales – the tabloids and media who often make the wrong person seem like the villain xx
Emily says
What an observation. You’ve just added much more depth to this poem than I intended. Brilliant – thank you!