pocket as it
would hold; while Grethel thought, "I will take some home too," and
filled her apron full.

"We must be off now," said Hansel, "and get out of this enchanted
forest;" but when they had walked for two hours they came to a large
piece of water.

"We cannot get over," said Hansel; "I can see no bridge at all." "And
there is no boat either," said Grethel, "but there swims a white duck,
I will ask her to help us over;" and she sang,

"Little Duck, good little Duck,
Grethel and Hansel, together we stand;
There is neither stile nor bridge,
Take us on your back to land."

So the Duck came to them, and Hansel sat himself on, and bade his
sister sit beside him. "No," replied Grethel, "that will be too much
for the Duck, she shall take us over one at a time." This the good
little bird did, and when both were happily arrived on the other side,
and had gone a little way, they came to a well-known wood, which they
knew the better every step they went, and at last they perceived their
father's house. Then they began to run, and rushing into the house,
they fell upon their father's neck. He had not had one happy hour
since he had left the children in the forest; and his wife was dead.
Grethel shook her apron, and the pearls and precious stones rolled out
upon the floor, and Hansel threw down one handful after the other
out of his pocket. Then all their sorrows were ended, and they lived
together in great happiness.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED

A poor widow once lived in a little cottage. In front of the cottage
was a garden, in which were growing two rose trees; one of these bore
white roses, and the other red.

She had two children, who resembled the rose trees. One was called
Snow-White, and the other Rose-Red; and they were as religious and
loving, busy and untiring, as any two children ever were.

Snow-White was more gentle, and quieter than her sister, who liked
better skipping about the fields, seeking flowers, and catching summer
birds; while Snow-White stayed at home with her mother, either helping
her in her work, or, when that was done, reading aloud.

The two children had the greatest affection the one for the other.
They were always seen hand in hand; and should Snow-White say to her
sister, "We will never separate," the other would reply, "Not while
we live," the mother adding, "That which one has, let her always share
with the other