Feeling dismayed over being betrayed by another parent figure, they move on.Ī man and wife with seven sons then invite Hansel and Gretel to live with them. When she eventually tries to cook them, they trap her in the oven instead. First, they find refuge in a home with a baker woman who feeds them heartily.

Johannes, alive again, also brings the children back to life.Īs Hansel and Gretel ponder what their father did, they begin to fear he might do it again.

The grief-stricken king feels so indebted to Johannes that he kills his own children. It tells him Johannes may live again, but only if the king will kill his children and smear their blood on the statue. One day, the statue of Johannes speaks to the king. The king and queen go on to have twins named Hansel and Gretel. When the king and queen realize what Johannes has done on their behalf, they erect a statue of him in their room so they will never forget to be grateful to him. In doing so, however, Johannes makes a number of sacrifices that lead to his own demise. When a young king falls for a woman destined to bring him sorrow, the faithful servant helps the king get his queen. He “under-stands” them, meaning he supports them by bearing their pains and troubles. The narrator begins with the story of a servant named Johannes, who has been faithful to the royal family for many years. The narrator frequently adds his own quirky opinion, warning about the gruesome scenes that lie ahead and inserting ironic comments.

Using several revamped Grimms’ fairy tales, the author weaves a story about Hansel and Gretel and their quest to find their true home.

A tale dark and grimm book 2