It is sitting on the housetop, bidding me
good-by."
"Nonsense," said the woman, "it is not your dove; it is only the
rising sun shining upon the chimney."
Hansel did not answer, but he went on strewing his crumbs carefully
until the last morsel of bread was gone.
Deeper and deeper into the wood they went, where the children had
never been before. There a great fire was kindled, and the mother
said: "Stay here, children, whilst your father and I go to cut wood.
If you are tired you may sleep a while, and we will fetch you when it
is time to go home."
When dinner-time came, Gretel divided her piece of bread with Hansel,
because he had scattered all his share upon the road; and then they
went to sleep. The evening shadows fell, but still no one came to
fetch the poor children, and it was not until midnight that they
awakened.
Hansel put his arms round his sister and told her not to fear, for
when the moon rose they would easily be able to see the crumbs, and so
find their way home again.
So when the moon rose they set out upon their way; but alas! there
were no crumbs to be seen, for the little birds that lived in the
green wood were as hungry as the children, and had eaten them all up.
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