kiss each other! And as they had no longer any need to
fear her, they went into the witch's house; and in every corner there
stood chests full of pearls and jewels. "These are far better than
pebbles!" said Haensel, and thrust into his pockets whatever could be
got in; and Grethel said, "I, too, will take something home with me,"
and filled her pinafore full. "But now we will go away," said Haensel,
"that we may get out of the witch's forest."

When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great piece of
water. "We cannot get over," said Haensel, "I see no foot-plank, and
no bridge." "And no boat crosses either," answered Grethel, "but a
white duck is swimming there; if I ask her, she will help us over."
Then she cried--

"Little duck, little duck, dost thou see,
Haensel and Grethel are waiting for thee?
There's never a plank, or bridge in sight,
Take us across on thy back so white."

The duck came to them, and Haensel seated himself on its back, and
told his sister to sit by him. "No," replied Grethel, "that will be
too heavy for the little duck; she shall take us across, one after the
other." The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely
across and had walked for a short time, the forest seemed to be more
and more familiar to them, and at length they saw from afar their
father's house. Then they began to run, rushed into the parlor, and
threw themselves into their father's arms. The man had not known one
happy hour since he had left the children in the forest; the woman,
however, was dead. Grethel emptied her pinafore until pearls and
precious stones ran about the room, and Haensel threw one handful
after another out of his pocket to add to them. Then all anxiety was
at an end, and they lived together in perfect happiness. My tale is
done. There runs a mouse; whosoever catches it may make himself a big
fur cap out of it.

* * * * *

THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE

There was once on a time a Fisherman who lived with his wife in a
miserable hovel close by the sea, and every day he went out fishing.
And once as he was sitting with his rod, looking at the clear water,
his line suddenly went down, far down below, and when he drew it up
again he brought out a large Flounder. Then the Flounder said to
him, "Hark, you Fisherman, I pray you, let me live; I am no Flounder
really, but an enchanted prince. What good will it do you to kill me?
I should not be