Previous Contests - Hansel and Gretel Retold

[nelodra]

Entry 1

She sat on the rickety wooden chair and glanced around the old shack one more time. One room partitioned off into 3 areas by empty flour sacks that were hung over frayed ropes. In one section lay the children’s threadbare pallets. This section was closer to the wooden stove which was used for cooking and heating the shack. In the other section lay the equally threadbare pallet that she shared with her husband. The last part was what they called the main room. One rickety chair and three wooden crates surrounding an old wooden table with a wobbly leg. An empty barrel used as a counter sat under the only window and was used to store their four wooden bowls.

Wooden bowls that stayed empty more and more often every day… For the past three months her husband struggled to sell the wood he chopped early every morning! No one had money right now! The woodcrafter did not need wood because no one was buying his furniture. The villagers chopped their own firewood, they did not need her husband’s wood. No money. No food. She looked towards her children as they lay on their pallets trying to sleep through their hunger.

The sight of their slim bodies, huddled together tore at her heart, unable to control herself she laid her head on her arms and began to sob. The woodcutter came in at that exact moment and quickly reached his wife’s side. He kneeled next to her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders to comfort her. “What is it my dear?” He asked her anxiously. “I’m pregnant!” she replied sobbing, “How are we going to feed five when we can barely feed the four of us?!” The woodcutter continued to hold his wife as she wept, he could not answer her question when he wondered the same thing himself.

The distressed couple did not realize that their children had woken up from their nap and had heard everything. The siblings stayed still each with their own thoughts. Gretel fell asleep after a while but her brother Hansel continued to think about what he had just heard. His stomach growled and he squeezed his eyes at the sudden sharp pain of emptiness in the pit of his stomach. His little sister was almost skin and bones and now a new baby… He was the oldest he had to do something about this he could not allow his little sister or the baby on the way to suffer like he was suffering.

He remembered a group of boys down in the village talking about a witch that lived in the forest. No one knew for sure where but the story went that she could grant wishes and made people rich. They also said that those who had asked had to serve the witch for a whole year -- a small prize to pay to help his family. Hansel realized that it was a farfetched idea but he figured he would give it a chance! He had nothing to loose and maybe just maybe he would have a lot to win…that was his last thought as he finally fell asleep.

Hansel woke up early the next morning. His father had already left and his mother was still asleep. He moved quietly to avoid waking his sister. He softly made his way outside and began picking small rocks. He filled both of his pant’s pockets with the rocks and with one last glance at the shack he turned and purposely walked towards the forest and towards his last hope.

Dim light was coming in through the only window in the shack. She could feel the light start to warm her cheek and lightly pierce through her eyelids. Then the emptiness filled her…the emptiness in her stomach. She refused to open her eyes hoping to go back to sleep and for a little while escape the constant hunger that was starting to consume them all. She heard a sound it was very soft but she knew she had heard it. She cracked her eyes open a little and caught a glimpse of her brother as he left their little section of the shack. A few seconds later he let himself out very quietly.

Gretel got up just as quietly and walked towards the window. She looked out and saw Hansel filling his pockets with rocks, why would he be doing that she wondered. Suddenly, he straightened up and turned towards the shack, she moved away from the window so he would not catch her snooping. She barely heard the crunching sound of rocks under his feet as he moved away. She glanced out the window again and saw where he was headed, she knew exactly were he was headed and why! She glanced quickly towards were her mother was sleeping, when she saw no movement she made her way to the door and left the shack just as quietly as Hansel had left. She ran quickly to the woods following the direction that Hansel had taken.

Gretel was tired but kept going, she had been walking for almost half a day. She feared stopping and maybe missing her brother’s tracks. She had noticed the trail of rocks he was leaving behind as he made his way to through the woods. She was grateful for his precaution otherwise she would have been lost a long time ago trying to catch up with him! She stopped for a second to catch her breath and pat the sweat off her forehead. “Please Lord, let me catch up to him before it’s too late!” she whispered softly as she began her walk again.

Hansel was exhausted, he was breathing hard from the exertion of walking half running for hours! He was going on instinct now, all he knew is that the witch’s hut was near the center of the forest. Had he missed it in his rush to get there, he wondered nervously! He was desperate and afraid. He had never been alone like this much less in the middle of the woods, but his need to help his family overrode his fear! Maybe it was the fact that he was thinking about his family or his exhaustion, but he thought he heard a soft female voice, singing a sweet and peaceful melody! As he walked towards the sound, the woods became less dense and gave way to a beautiful scene!

The dark and mysterious forest embraced a small light wood structure. Delicate stained glass windows with the most marvelous designs adorned the small cabin! Smoke billowed from the chimney caring a delicious aroma! To the right and wrapping its’ way around the back of the cabin was a slow flowing creek. Multiple colorful flowers and plants aligned the front of the cabin, and to the left stood a small well. That’s were the glorious creature with the mesmerizing voice stood -- pulling the bucket filled with water out of the well as she sang, she turned and caught sight of Hansel.

“Hello my child, are you lost?” she asked with a smile on her face. Hansel was still in shock from the sight of such a glorious vision. Could this be the witch? Silver white hair flowing down her back… pale blue eyes surrounded by thick dark lashes underneath delicately arched eyebrows… soft creamy complexion and rosy pouty lips. “Are you the witch from the forest?” He stammered and promptly wished the earth would open up and swallow him. The lady’s smile brightened more if that was possible before she replied, “So you are looking for me, pray tell my dear boy how may I be of service?”

Gretel had almost reached the end of her stamina; she had lost track of how long she had been following Hansel’s trail of pebbles. Sweating profusely and breathing hard she headed to a big oak and sat on the grass resting her back on the rough trunk. She was trying to slow down her breathing when the sound of the loveliest voice singing the most beautiful melody she had ever heard caught her attention! Even though she was exhausted she stood up and walked towards the direction of that enchanting voice.

Gretel heard Hansel’s voice just before she actually saw him standing in front of a beautiful lady. She barely had time to register the surroundings before the question Hansel had asked hit her full force. “No! Hansel stop, don’t do this!” she screamed and ran to Hansel at the same time that the witch had asked her question. “Gretel what are you doing here?!” asked Hansel in surprise. “Don’t ask the witch for a wish Hansel! Remember what the villagers say if you do you will have to serve her for a whole year!” Gretel grabbed Hansel’s arm and tried to pull him back into the forest. “Gretel stop! I have to do this!” “So my dear boy you are here to ask for a wish. And just like all the others before you are you going to ask for riches?” the witch asked with a little sarcasm in her voice and a hard glint in her eyes. The witch was disgusted by what she thought would be another display of avarice from the common man.

“Hansel, please don’t…”Gretel was interrupted by Hansel’s tender whisper, “It has to be done!” Even though he was scared Hansel grasped his sister’s hand for support and turned to the witch. With tears in his eyes but in a firm tone he began, “Lady Witch my name is Hansel and this is my sister Gretel. I’m sorry to bother you but I do want to ask for a wish. There are a lot of good people in the small village were I live. My father is a strong man and a hard worker. My friend’s fathers are all hard workers, but there are no jobs. We used to get wealthy travelers passing through our village but for the past year the travelers have dwindled. I have watched my family and friends slowly get sick and thin because of lack of food. I see my father’s suffering and my mother’s anguish and I can’t take it anymore. I don’t want riches all I ask is for the luck of our village to change. I ask for the opportunity of the men in our village including my father to be able to make a living to take care of their families! They don’t need charity they are willing to work for what they earn! I will serve you as long as you want my Lady Witch if you would please grant me this wish!”

The witch was flabbergasted! In the thousands of years that she had been alive she had never heard something that unselfish and heartfelt! Tears overflowed her own eyes and she looked lovingly at the two poor and obviously malnourished children standing bravely in front of her. “My dear boy you have given more than you have asked, you have given me hope for humankind. Your wish is granted my dear! No more service is required from you, take your sister and go home and be happy!” Hansel was stunned by the witch’s reply but he was able to give a soft, “Thank-you my lady” before he turned and walked back from where he came still holding his sister’s hand.

When Hansel and Gretel returned home they found their father and mother laughing and hugging each other! “Children you are home, where have you been? Well, never mind you can tell us later, right now your father has some good news to tell you!” Hansel and Gretel looked at their mother’s happy face in disbelief they could not remember when was the last time they had seen her smile. Their father sat on one of the crates and pulled them near and gave them both a big hug before he told them his good news. “I just came back from the village. There was a caravan of rich carriages stopped at the ‘Jaunty Inn’! I went in there and found the common room filled with wealthy travelers! A couple of them mentioned that they were going to build country homes in the area and would need to employ many of the villagers! They will need builders, craftsmen, groundskeepers, cooks, and servants! We are going to be alright, we will soon have plenty of food to eat and warm clothes to wear! My children we are blessed!”

Hansel and Gretel jumped up and down from joy! The whole family started dancing and singing in happiness. Hansel and Gretel looked at each other and both whispered at the same time, “Thank-you Lady Witch!” and they lived happily ever after!

[nelodra]

Entry 2

“A school play?” Sasori asked, looking at the billboard hanging in the hall, near the lockers.
Naruto nodded, “It’s something the school does a few times every year.”
“Ah,” the redhead looked at the bright piece of paper which read ‘Hansel and Gretel’.
He then looked down at the letter he was holding, ‘Dear student, you’ve been selected to play in the school play, Hansel and Gretel, as the Wicked Witch.’
The letter continued with where the practice was going to be held and the time.
“Naruto-kun, how come I have a girl’s role?” he asked, looking at the blonde boy.
“Well, since there are no girls in this school, they choose boys to play those roles. I’m one of the black cats…” Naruto trailed off for a moment. “Anyway, they choose a couple of students who’ll have to play in the play, even if they can’t find a role for them. There is no script, the students have to make the story up themselves, so usually it ends up being rather different from the original fairytale. The students have one month to write the script, make the costumes and practice until the play.”
Sasori nodded, “Okay. I’ll see you later then.”
Naruto smiled happily, “Right. Later!”

When he walked in the room where they could practice, he was surprised yet slightly relieved to see a few familiar faces. Deidara, Kakuzu and Naruto, to be precise.
There were other boys he had seen before, but never spoken to, and a few he didn’t know.
A boy with silver hair was sitting near Deidara and grinning, “So, Deidara-chan, you gonna be Gretel? Really, they couldn’t have found a better person!”
The blonde was glaring at the silver-haired boy.
“…You wanna have children later in your life?” he asked darkly.
The other boy started laughing nervously while moving away from the blonde.
Then he spotted Sasori and pointed at him, “Well look, it’s the new student!”
Oh dear. Everyone was looking at him. He had never really liked much attention…
Naruto stood up form where he was sitting and walked towards him, “Sasori-san, I’m glad to see you made it in time.”
He nodded slightly, “Yes.” From the corner of his eyes he looked at Deidara.
The blonde was grinning and waved at him, “Hey Danna, you got a stupid role in this play too?”
Again he nodded, “Yes. I am the ‘wicked witch’.”
The silver-haired boy laughed again, “Well look, Deidara-chan! I think your girly-ness is contagious!”
Deidara looked as if he was about to jump up and really make sure the boy wouldn’t have any children in his life, when Kakuzu stood up and sighed, “Hidan.”
The silver-haired boy looked at him, “Yeah?”
“If you don’t shut up now I swear I will make you.”
Hidan gulped, “Shutting up now…”

Once everyone had calmed down a boy with brown hair stood up, “I think we should introduce ourselves. I’ll go first, if that’s alright.”
When no one disagreed the boy sighed, “Troublesome… We’re sitting in a circle, we’ll go round clockwise. I’m Nara Shikamaru and I feel like this is all too much work. Next.”
As Shikamaru sat down a boy with long black hair stood up, “Uchiha Itachi.” After that he sat down again.
Next Kakuzu stood up, “I’m Kakuzu, and the guy who’s saying dumb things all the time is Hidan. I’m introducing him because if he opens his mouth all that comes out is stupid.”
Hidan let out a small ‘hey’, but didn’t try to argue.
A boy with an round orange mask stood up, “Hi! I’m Tobi, Tobi is a good boy!”
Deidara groaned, “Not him… Please tell me he isn’t in the play…”
“Oh, Deidara-Senpai! Don’t you like Tobi? Tobi is a good boy,” Tobi said, sounding a bit sad.
Kakuzu sighed, “We know you’re a good boy, now shut up, sit down and let the next person talk. Your cheery voice is giving me a headache.”
Tobi sat down, “Yes Kakuzu-san! Tobi is a good-”
“We know. For the love of all things living, shut up.”
A boy with long, almost shining brown hair stood up, “I’m Hyuuga Neji, this -” he pointed at a boy with short black hair and rather big eyebrows, “- is Rock Lee. It is your destiny to accept the fact that I, Neji, am going to be the mother in this play and that Lee will be the father.”
He sat down, “Next.”
A boy who looked a lot like Itachi stood up and said, “Uchiha Sasuke. I have no interest in friends. The only thing I care about is to get revenge… That one man…” He coldly looked at Itachi, who sighed.
“Foolish little brother, how many times must I tell you that the goldfish was an accident?”
Sasuke accusingly pointed his finger at his older brother, “That might have been an accident, but Snowy the twelfth, the rabbit, wasn’t, and neither was Snowy the tenth!”
Kakuzu stood up again and shook his head, “Enough, you two. Sit down and let the next one introduce himself, time is money.”
“I’m Uzumaki Naruto.”
“Akasuna no Sasori.”
“Deidara, hm. For everyone’s information, I am not a girl in disguise.”
Hidan laughed, “Really? Could have fooled me! Maybe someone should check if you aren’t lying.”
“Maybe someone should shut you up so bad you won’t ever open your mouth again,” Deidara snarled.
“Next,” Kakuzu said, rubbing his temples.
A boy with short black hair and a smile on his face stood up, “Hello everyone, my name is Sai. I hope we can all be good friends.”
Some nodded in agreement, others muttered otherwise.
Lastly a boy with messy brown hair stood up. Sasori remembered him, he had to sit next to him in his English class.
“I’m Inuzuka Kiba, and I like dogs. I have one myself, his name is Akamaru and he’s the smartest and coolest-”
Kakuzu nodded, “Yes, right, right. Moving on. We have to make a script. Time is money, people, remember!”
They all sat down at a table. Kakuzu gave everyone a piece of paper and a pencil.
“Now, first things first. We need to get everyone a role,” he said.
Everyone agreed and soon they were all busy thinking, plotting and writing.

“See you all tomorrow,” Sai waved happily as he walked out the room.
It had already been a week since they started. The script was almost done and the costumes were ready.
All that was left was practice, practice and practice.
Sasori sighed, thankful that everything was still going smoothly. Even though Hidan was still pestering Deidara, and Sasuke and Itachi didn’t seem to like each other, nothing seriously bad had happened.
A punch in the face for Hidan wasn’t that bad, it didn’t even start bleeding.
“See ya tomorrow, Sasori-no-Danna.”
He stopped his thinking and looked up. Deidara was standing in the doorway, ready to leave.
“Yes, I think so.” The blonde grinned. Had he forgot something- ah, yes, he had. “And don’t call me that, you brat!”
Deidara chuckled, “Yeah, right, Danna.” Before Sasori could say something else he was gone.
He frowned to himself, put on his backpack and left the room.

Another week passed, and everything seemed to go according to plan, until…

“Where is the script!?” Kakuzu yelled angrily. “Who took it!?”
No one answered, shocked by how Kakuzu was yelling at them.
“C-calm down, Kakuzu,” Hidan said, “I don’t think anyone knows where it is…”
“Does it look like I care!? If it’s gone, it means that we lost time, and time is money!”
Tobi took a step forward and showed everyone a bunch of papers stapled together, “Tobi has a script… Tobi is a good boy.”
Kakuzu snatched it from Tobi’s hands and quickly read it. “What’s this piece of shit!?”
“Tobi doesn’t know, Tobi found it, Tobi is a good boy,” Tobi said, waving with his arms like a lunatic.
Everyone held their breaths.
Kakuzu shook his head an sighed, “Well, I guess this could do… We don’t have time to write a new one.”
He gave it to Hidan, who’s face paled while reading it. “The hell is this, Kakuzu?”
“A script. Now, everyone will get to read it, and then we’ll start practicing,” Kakuzu said.

After reading it everyone looked paler, except for the Uchiha siblings, who didn’t show emotions easily.
“I refuse,” Itachi said, first to speak after reading the new script.
“You don’t have a choice,” Kakuzu said. “None of you have one. I will decide who’ll get to play who, except for the ones who already have roles.”
“W-wait a moment, Kakuzu!” Hidan said. “Why don’t we all make decisions together? All who are in favor of Kakuzu choosing who will get which role, raise your hand.”
Neji, Deidara, Lee, Naruto, Kiba, Hidan, Shikamaru, Sasori and Tobi raised their hands.
“And those who are not in favor of Kakuzu choosing…”
The only ones who raised their hands were Itachi and Sasuke.
Hidan looked at Sai, who was smiling. “You haven’t raised your hand, why not?”
“I wanted to see which choice would get most votes, and then join that group.”
The silver-haired boy looked at him weirdly, “Strange kid.”
Sai smiled, “Thank you, intelligent one.”
“What the hell?” Hidan demanded, pointing his finger at him.
“Enough of that already,” Kakuzu said, frowning, “We’re going to practice now!”

“I don’t know what to think of this, Deidara-san,” Sasori said.
He was wearing a black dress and a pointy hat. It was supposed to make him look ‘evil’.
“Shut up, Danna, hm, you’re not the one wearing a pink princess dress.”
“Oh you brat, a dress is a dress,” the redhead said, shaking his head slightly.
Sai walked up to them and smiled, “You two must be very close, using nicknames. Are you two ‘in love’?”
Deidara grabbed the closest object he could find, which happened to be one of Sasori’s books, and threw at Sai, while yelling a few rather rude words at the boy.

“Oh it hurts me greatly, foolish little Aurora, that you don’t like my hair,” Itachi said, without any emotion.
“Would you shut up, Snow white, your whining is giving me a headache,” Sasuke said, gritting his teeth.
“How about you two kiss and make up?” Sai suggested, smiling.
Sasuke looked at him. “What did you just say,” he hissed.
“Why don’t you two kiss and make up,” Sai repeated, still smiling that awfully sweet smile of his.
Sasuke took a few steps forward, looked the other boy straight in the eye and kneed him in the groin.
He looked almost satisfied when Sai doubled over onto the ground.
Within seconds one of the other boys sat down next to Sai and asked him if he was okay, while Kakuzu walked over to Sasuke, shaking his head.
“Sasuke-kun, I understand that what Sai-kun said was out of line, but kicking him between the legs?”
“He deserved it,” Sasuke said, crossing his arms.

“And I quote, ‘Hansel then kissed her and she woke up’. What the hell? I’m a Jashinist, it’s against my religion to kiss someone before marriage!” Hidan shouted, pushing the script into Kakuzu’s hands.
“Like Itachi would say, I refuse! I’m not gonna do that, you go find someone else.”
Kakuzu sighed, “Right, and I supposed you expect me to see someone appear right in front of me?”
“Kakuzu-san, could you please tell Itachi-san that he has to do as the script says, yeah?” Deidara asked.
Hidan and Kakuzu looked at the blonde.
“What, hm?”

As you can read, dear reader, practice was rather eventful and not without a few small problems.
The weeks passed almost too fast, and before they actually knew it, it was the day of the play.

“Wow… There must be many, many people coming to see the play,” Naruto said as he put on his cat ears.
Sasori nodded in agreement. Even though they couldn’t see how many people there were, they could hear them talking to each other.
Deidara grinned, “At least none of my family will be there to see me in a dress, hm!”
“Be glad,” Sasuke said, “My family is here.”
The blonde shrugged, “Yeah, well, sucks to be you.”
“Ten more minutes until the start,” Kakuzu warned. “Is everyone almost done?”
“No, almost! I can’t get these heels to fit,” Sasuke said, trying to put on his heels.
“Maybe Deidara-chan can help you with those, I bet he knows how to wear them,” Hidan said.
The blonde glared at Hidan, “Even if I did know, I wouldn’t help him.”
Sasuke looked at him coldly, “I don’t need your help, I’m already done.”
“Everyone, get ready!”


“Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I’m Nara Shikamaru, the narrator. Troublesome… I hope everyone will enjoy the play as much as the actors will.”
The lights went out and when they were turned on again the stage had been turned into a small kitchen.

“Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there was a family,” Shikamaru said.
“There was a mother, a father and three children, Hansel, Gretel and… Stepsister. The father had lost his first wife and had remarried.”

Deidara, Hidan and Kakuzu were sitting at the kitchen table and Neji was cooking when Lee walked into the kitchen.
“My dear, dear youthful wife and my dear, dear youthful children! I have good news! We are officially rich!” he said, blowing a kiss towards Neji, who dodged it.
“That’s good news father,” Deidara said, “Now I’ll be able to buy more make-up using the money I steal from you at night.”
Hidan grinned, “Yeah, you really need more make-up, ‘cause you look horrible without it!”
“Let’s celebrate by going into the woods,” Kakuzu said.
“Even better, don’t you think, Gretel?”
Deidara glared at Hidan, “Yes, Hi-ansel. A very good idea.”
The lights went out again and Shikamaru continued speaking.

“That very evening they went into the woods, made a big campfire and sat around it, singing and celebrating. Gretel and Hansel were bored after a while, because father and mother only paid attention to Stepsister. They decided to wander around a bit.”

The lights went back on. The kitchen had changed into a forest.
“Oh Hansel, I am so glad we lost those old people,” Deidara said. “They were so boring,”
Hidan held up a piece of bread, “Yeah, right, how about we leave a trail of bread crumbs? Dad still owes me money.”
“You are such a genius,” Deidara said, sounding very sarcastic.
The silver-haired boy started throwing around chunks of bread, “I know!”

“Hansel might have been a genius, but his plan failed. A creature came and ate all the bread.”

Tobi came onto stage, crawling on all fours, collecting the chunks of bread.
“So much for you being a genius, yeah,” Deidara said, hitting Hidan in the face.
Hidan rubbed his cheek, “That wasn‘t in the script, Dei- Gretel-chan!”
“Well now it is, hm!”
“You know what, you little son of a- Ow!” Hidan was cut of by a piece of bread hitting his head.
He looked behind him and saw that it had been Kakuzu who had throw it.

Shikamaru coughed audibly and the lights went off again, “Anyway, they wandered around until they found a house made of candy. Hungry from all the walking, they started damaging the house by eating it. However, they hadn’t thought about the person who lived in the house.”

The lights went back on, revealing half a house. The house was two walls and some dark furniture.
Hidan was kicking one of the walls while Deidara was backing away from him.
Inside Sasori was sitting on a chair, petting Naruto, one of his black cats, who was laying at his feet.
The other cat, played by Kiba, was standing at the door, barking madly.
“Woof, witch-woman, someone is eating the house! Woof!”
Sasori stood up, walked around slowly, grabbed his broom and opened the door.
“You,” he pointed at Deidara.
“Are you eating my house?” the redhead asked, sounding bored.
Deidara shook his head, “No, no, no, he-” he pointed his finger at Hidan, “- is, and I’m not related to that idiot!”
Sasori turned his head slowly and looked at Hidan. “You. Are you eating my house?”
“Shit no! If it tastes the way it smells, I’ll be dead before it reaches my stomach,” Hidan said, kicking the wall again.
“Well what do you expect, I saved all that food for years,” Sasori said, calmly.
His eyes darkened, “And you are destroying my work of art. Now I’ll have to punish you.”
Sasori walked over to Hidan and started hitting him with his broom, “You brat, how dare you! Do you have any idea how many years it took me to save all that food? Do you!? I’ll tell you, forty-four long years!”
“Ow, ow! Ghee, old woman, stop hitting me!” Hidan cried, trying to get away from the broom.
Deidara shook his head, “No, hit him, hit him!”
“You’re right,” Sasori said, no longer hitting Hidan. “This punishment is way too soft.”
He stood on his toes and grabbed Hidan’s ear, “You’re coming with me.”
As he started dragging the silver-haired boy into the house he looked at Deidara, “And you too!”
“Me, yeah? I’m not even related to him, really! Why should I come too?” the blonde asked.
Sasori tilted his head a little, “Don’t you want to see him suffering?”
“Okay, I’m coming, yeah!”
They all went inside, where Kiba bit Hidan’s leg.
“Hey, shit-face, lemme go!” Hidan shouted at the ‘cat’.
Kiba let him go and spit in his face, “With pleasure, you taste like rotten eggs.”
“Oh, he’s rotten alright,” Deidara said, grinning.
Sasori walked towards a cage, pulling Hidan with him. “Stay,” he told the boy as he let go of him.
“Hey, don’t treat me like I’m some sort of dog,” Hidan said, and almost instantly Kiba was sitting in front of him.
The redhead shrugged and stood on his toes again, this time trying to open the lock of the cage.
After a few failed attempts Deidara walked over to him, “Is something wrong?”
Sasori turned around and looked him in the eyes.
“I can’t reach the lock. You open it.”
The blonde unlocked the cage and Sasori pulled Hidan’s ear again, who was currently have a staring contest with Kiba.
He pushed the silver-haired boy into the cage and closed the door. Again he stood on his toes and tried to lock the cage, but again it didn’t work.
“You do it,” he said, pointing at Deidara. The blonde shrugged and locked the cage.
“What are you going to do with him?” he asked Sasori.
The redhead shrugged, “Eat him.”
“Cool.”
The audience booed, making Deidara turn around and look at them. “What? You want me to start crying?”
When sounds of approval came from the audience he sighed, “Right…”
He fell to his knees and grabbed the bottom of Sasori’s black dress.
“Oh boohoo, please, don’t do that to him, I care soo-hoo much about him!”
Sasori rolled his eyes, “No.”
Deidara got up from the ground and glared at the audience, “Happy now?”

“Gretel was actually enjoying her time with the Wicked Witch, as she later found out her name was. They played board games most of the time, and ignored Hansel. Thankfully one of the cats fed him by spitting food through the bars of the cage door.”

A yell came from the stage as Kiba threw food into the cage.

“Everything went well, until one day the Wicked Witch decided to clean out Hansel’s cage.”

Sasori stood up from the chair he was sitting on, “We should clean out what’s-his-name’s cage. It’s starting to smell.”
Deidara nodded in agreement.
“Have you two forgotten my name?” Hidan asked.
“No, we just like calling you everything but your name, hm.”
Deidara unlocked the cage and Sasori made sure Kiba would watch over Hidan.
But they didn’t notice that Hidan had poked Kiba in the eyes until he had picked Sasori up.
“Bwahahaha,” he laughed, evilly, “Now is the time for my revenge!”
And without any more words he shoved Sasori into the oven and put a dog collar around Deidara’s neck.
“Dear sister, I’m going to sell you to some barbarians!”
Deidara stared at him.
“What?” Hidan asked, a bit disturbed.
“I forgot my text,” the blonde said simply.
Hidan blinked twice, “Oh, you were supposed to say something like ‘Oh no, what ever have I done to make you hate me so much’, but that’s something artists or others pansies say.”
Deidara kicked him against the shin, “Oh no, you just killed the witch and called me an effeminate guy!”

Shikamaru coughed again, “And then a fairy came, hit Hansel on the head making him loose consciousness and brought the witch back to life.”

Tobi came onto stage again, this time wearing a fairy outfit. He hit Hidan on the head with his pink staff, threw around some pink roses and opened the oven door.
Sasori crawled out and frowned, “I hate pink.”

“Umh, yes, the Wicked Witch hates pink. She chased the fairy away with her broom. When she came back inside the house Gretel had put the collar on Hansel and was jumping up and down happily.”

Deidara looked horrified, “You’ve gotta be kidding me…”
Sasori shrugged , grabbed his broom and started chasing Tobi away.
When he came back into the house Deidara was indeed jumping up and down, but not happily.
“Oh joy of joys, we won a trip around the world,” he stated, sounding everything but joyful.
The lights went off again.

“They started packing their things, ready to leave behind everything for who-knows how long. They left the cats behind to take care of the house. After a few days of traveling they arrived at the first of many big cities they’d visit during their traveling. When they heard there was a princess asleep in the castle, who couldn’t be woken up, and because her prince refused to kiss her, seeing that he was actually in love with himself, Hansel- huh? There’s something scribbled here in some horrible handwriting, a moment please, ladies and gentlemen…”
Shikamaru resumed talking after a moment, “I’m sorry for the mistake, Gretel, not Hansel, proposed to visit the castle, because she really wanted to see the princess. And so they ended up in the princesses’ bedroom, where she was peacefully sleeping, oblivious of the world around her.”

The lights went back on. The stage had been changed into a rather pink bedroom. Sasori, Deidara and Hidan were standing next to the bed, looking at Sasuke, who was sleeping in it.
“…umh,” the blonde muttered.
Hidan elbowed him, “What are you waiting for, say your text already!”
“Problem here, I forgot it again, yeah…”
“What are you, blonde or something!?”
For that remark Hidan got hit on the head with a pillow, “Shut up!”
He started laughing, “What, trying to hurt me with a pillow, Deida- I mean, Gretel-chan? Oh boohoo, it hurts sooo much!”
Sasori hit Hidan with his broom, “You’re supposed to say ‘What a beautiful princess’, remember?”
Deidara nodded, “Right… Oh, what a beautiful princess! It’s a shame she’s asleep, yeah. I wonder why she isn’t waking up.”
The silver-haired boy snickered, “Why don’t you kiss her and see what happens?”
Sasuke’s eyebrow twitched.
“What!? No way, no way am I kissing that bastard,” Deidara stated, crossing his arms. “It’s not in the script.”
Shikamaru shook his head, “It is. Troublesome… Just kiss him on the cheek or something…”
The blonde muttered a few profanities and leaned down to kiss Sasuke’s cheek.
Everything would have gone right if Hidan hadn’t decided to push Deidara’s head down onto Sasuke’s, making their lips lock.
There was a moment of silence before they quickly moved away from each other.
Sasuke sat up and started coughing madly. Deidara wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Gross,” he muttered.
Sasuke nodded, “That was the most horrible thing that ever happened to me in my life besides that one man!”
Hidan shook his head, “That was absolutely awesome, two guys acting like girls, kissing!”
They both looked at the silver-haired boy.
“Oh Hidan,” Deidara began, his voice sickeningly sweet.
“You wanna know how we think about this?” Sasuke finished.
They walked towards Hidan, who was backing away, until he tripped over Sasori’s broom.
“Oh shit,” he said, looking at Deidara and Sasuke, who were closing in on him rapidly.
The lights got turned off.

“Ow-ow-ow! Hey, can’t we talk about thi- That’s not supposed to bend that way! Shit, Kakuzu, help me!”
“No. We don’t have time for that. Finish beating him up and continue the play.”
“Kakuzu, you bastard, I’ll make you pay for this! Ow!”

When the lights were turned back on Hidan was no longer on stage.
“Thank you for waking me up,” Sasuke said, not sounding very grateful. “My name is Aurora and I-”
He got cut of by Itachi and Sai, who walked onto stage.
“Hello foolish little Aurora,” Itachi said, flipping his hair. Sai waved smilingly.
Sasuke tried to kick Itachi, but tripped over his heels and fell to the ground.
“Snow white, you…” he hissed, glaring at the older Uchiha.
“What-ever have I done for you to hate me so much, foolish little Aurora?” he asked. “Is it that my hair is prettier than yours?”
Sasuke stood up and shook his head, “No, I hate it.”
“Oh it hurts me greatly, foolish little Aurora, that you don’t like my hair,” Itachi said, emotionless.
“Would you shut up, Snow white, your whining is giving me a headache,” Sasuke said, glaring.
Sai smiled and stepped in-between the two, “Oh, so many violent words, can’t we solve this peacefully?”
“No,” the Uchiha brothers said simultaneously.
Sasuke glared at Itachi, pointed at him with his finger and said, “I declare a magical-girl-battle!”
“I accept,” Itachi answered, flipping his hair again.
Tobi ran onto the stage, threw some more roses around while Itachi and Sasuke slipped out of their dresses, revealing that they were wearing mini-tops and skirts underneath, Itachi in yellow-red-blue, Sasuke in pink.
When they were done Tobi quickly ran off of the stage again.
“Magical-eye-attack!” Sasuke yelled, staring at Itachi with murderous intent in his eyes.
“Foolish little Aurora, your attack lacks hatred. Magical-eye-of-doom-attack.”
Sasuke fell to his knees, “No, not the magical-eye-of-doom-attack! I have no power left to fight you…”
Sai skipped over to him, “Want me to kiss it better?”
The younger Uchiha punched him in the face, “No.”
Deidara wrinkled his nose, “No power left my ass.”
“Shut up,” Sasuke yelled at the blonde, “I’m only saying what’s in the script!”

“Eh… After Aurora lost to Snow white they…” Shikamaru stopped reading.
“There’s something scribbled here again, I apologize ladies and gentlemen.”
He resumed reading, “They decided to have a tea party.”
The lights went out, but not before Sasuke shot a glare at Shikamaru.
“Many, many people were invited, and everyone came over to the party, because they were afraid of what would happen if they didn’t. Snow white and Aurora weren’t the most forgiving people.”

The lights went back on again. The stage had been changed into a ballroom.
Sasuke and Itachi were back into their dresses. Tobi was standing in the middle of the stage, with white bunny ears on his head.
“Tea-time,” he shouted, “Tobi-rabbit says tea-time!”
All the others actors came onto stage dressed in formal, even Hidan with some extra make-up on his face.

“The tea-party was a success, everyone had a great time and most importantly Hansel and Gretel saw their parents again.”

Deidara and Hidan stared at Neji and Lee, shocked in a not good way.
“Mom, dad!? What the heck are you two doing here?” the blonde asked.
“It is your destiny to come home with us,” Neji said. Lee nodded with a smile and gave them a thumbs up.

“And so they went back home, taking the Wicked Witch with them. Hansel married Snow white, Gretel married a talking mirror and the Wicked Witch remained single. And so everyone was happy, except for maybe Aurora. After the tea party the Wicked Witch hit her with her broom, so she fainted and has had a headache ever since, and without a prince to kiss it better Aurora locked herself up in her castle room. The End.”

The audience clapped their hands as the actors took their bows and walked of stage.

[nelodra]

Entry 3

Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl called Hansel and Gretel, their parents were so poor that in a time of famine they abandoned their two kids to the forest, where they would surely get lost and die.

“Hey” said Gretel “That’s not how it happened at all”.

Narrator “Ooops, sorry, let me start again”

Hansel and Gretel’s parents were so poor they had to work very hard to make ends meet, they were skinny and overworked while their two kids were fat and addicted to sugar, pastries and cupcakes, but how can that be if those foods were meant for the rich? Well, both kids were so beloved by their parents that they deprived themselves of great food and life’s pretious commodities for the sake of their kids, but they didn’t realize that they were spoiling them rotten, they were so addicted to sugar that, while they were in town, they stole money from blind people and those beggars that were so elderly that couldn’t chase after them, and Gretel would distract citicens with her cuteness while Hansel pickpocketed them to have more money to gorge themselves in sweets. They were both mean and conniving kids, until their parents heard what they did and decided to stop their mischief for good.

They planned on sending them to a super strict school, where they would most surely never get candy until christmas, which was pretty bad trust me, so, at night, before their parents got up, Hansel stole all of their food and Gretel took all of their money and jewelry and they decided to run away, well that was the plan but Gretel got lost in the woods chasing after a white rabbit with a clock, oh no I mean a squirrel, yeah, a squirrel, so Hansel went after her.

Narrator “Awww he loves his sister”

Hansel “Nope, she took the money, where would I go without the money?”

So he chased after her until both kids were completely lost, Hansel was supposed to leave a crump trail to guide him back to his house, but the cupcakes were delitious, and so the other food, and the children *kind of forgot* about the crumbs little detail. In less than a week they were starving, they were so fat they couldn’t catch any animals and since they had no idea which were the good plants and the bad plants they chew upon rancid food leftovers until they saw, a house all made of candy.

Hansel: “Oh glory, this is delitious, I could eat this house all day!!!”

Gretel: “Hansel, that’s not candy, that’s wood, and you are creeping me out.”

Hansel: “That’s candy I tell you, if you close your eyes a bit and try to imagine that is kind of a hard candy with sort of a woody taste to it and some splinters and dirt then its candy, period, so come up and eat.”

Old lady: “Oh I have visits, are you hungry kids?”

Hansel and Gretel: “What makes you think that?”

Old lady: “Well, the both of you bitting my door kind of gave me a clue, come on in, I will make you both a delitious dinner.”

Hansel, whispering to Gretel: “Be careful sis, she wants to eat us, she said she would make us into a delitious dinner.”

Gretel: “Are you deaf, she didn’t said that at all!!!”

Hansel: “Well, this house looks quite empty and she must be very poor, there must be no food on her home so she invited us in to eat us”

Gretel: “When they invent the happy pills, you are definitely going into medication”

Hansel: “No, really, look how this bones on the floor barely resemble human bones.”

Gretel: “Actually those are chicken or bird bones.”

Hansel: “You are ruining the ambience, besides, there is a book here that says “How to cook little children”

Gretel: “Just asking, since when did you learn to read?”

Hansel: “I don’t need to know how to read to know what the book says, she is a lonely old lady in the woods, she lives in a house made of candy and she has a book, what old lady who is poor and alone has books? She is definitely a witch.”

Gretel: “The house made of candy? Wood I say, wood, stop chewing the furniture!!! And for your information women of all ages enjoy a good book from time to time.”

Hansel: “Not in the middle ages.”

Gretel: “You have a point there, she must definitely be a witch trying to eat us, so what must we do?”

Long story short, they devised a plan, tricked her into cooking for them and pushed her into the oven.

Gretel: “Hansel, she had food and what little food she had she was using it to make us dinner, are you happy now?”

Hansel, tasting old woman in the woman: “Actually yes, have you tasted this?”

Gretel: “Ewww I’m sure hungry but not so desperate as.....oh it smells really nice, pass the salt, maybe with some of the herbs over there it can improve the taste.”

And so both children had the opportunity to taste the other white meat and both of them learned a valuable lesson, poor old women living alone in the woods are awfully gullible and you can trick them, mug them and kill them without anyone barely noticing, if they catch you the argument of “oh she was a witch trying to eat us” will always work.

Gretel: “So we took her food, money and jewels and I just disposed of the body, by the way that lady was more tasty than her skinny legs looked like. Anyway are we going home now?.”

Hansel: “So we are sent to that school, are you crazy? I have a better plan.”

So both kids dedicated themselves to prey on poor old ladies making themselves appear as “lost kids”, they became rich from all the loot they stole, well, actually, if they only saved their money or at least if they administered it, but no, they spent it all on candy, until this story ends with their latest victim, they knocked on the door of another poor lady’s house when a gruff old lady’s voice said:

“Little red riding hood, is that you?”

Gretel: “Yes grandma is me, open up and bring your money, jewels and valuables with you while you are at it.”

Old Lady: “Ok dear, come in, I will have the stuff you asked for ready in a minute.”

The “old lady” was surprised that instead of little red it was 2 chubby children, and Hansel and Gretel were surprised too since the old lady looked quite “different”

Hansel and Gretel: “Wow Lady, what big teeth you have....”

[nelodra]

Entry 4

Once upon a time there was a small apartment in a sea of houses. Poverty was all around. In the middle of the world of drugs dealers, prostitution and crime, lived a single mother with her two daughters, Gretchen, who was ten and Nina, who was thirteen. Although the father of the girls was gone a long time ago, it was a loving and caring family.
The mother had a part-time job in a factory and with the low income she earned, she paid the bills and provided in the needs of her children.
The furniture in the house was old, there was no meat in the fridge and the computer was outdated. The children didn't have much toys and it was not more then an old teddy and a ragged doll. But the children weren't unhappy. They knew their mother loved them very much and she gave the children everything they needed.
Everything else was luxury and belonged in times of X-mas and their birthday. The other children in the neighbourhood had more toys, but they could always knock on the door of the family, when they were hungry.
"When there is a sandwich for three, then there is a sandwich for more…" the mother always said.

"Candy has a new computer game…" the little Gretchen complained.
"Wow, that is beautiful," her mother answered. "You want that too, don't you?"
Hopeful the girl looked up at her mother and nodded.
"How much does that game cost?" mother asked.
"Well, it is under 50 dollar, only 49,95…" Gretchen answered.
"That is a lot of money. If I buy something that much, I can't buy food anymore and then you are hungry, is that what you want?"
Gretchen bit her lip. "No, I don't want to be hungry. We can wait until the game is old and on sale… We can buy it then…"
Mother smiled. She was proud of her two children. They weren't rich, but they learned the value of money.

Nina, the oldest daughter was really something else. The word stubborn could be invented by her and her teacher hated her, did everything she did and it never was good enough. The girl was smart enough, but her stubbornness was in the way. She learned what she wanted and never made her homework, ordered by her teacher. Instead she was studying the things she was interested in, and was good in everything she took in her hands.
"She could do it, when she wants, but the family is very poor and that stands in the way of her education… It is a single mother…" the teacher told the others in a teachers meeting.
"When I talk to the mother, she is very unconcerned… She really believes her daughter will get there with that attitude problem and I believe her mother is the worst influence."

The headmaster of the school gave the teacher a card of Social Services. Already the next day he made the phone call. Some time later a Social Worker came to visit the house of the family. Henny Heks smiled very friendly and looked around. She saw the old furniture, the outdated computer and the fridge, that had hardly anything in it. She saw the old books on the shelves and the skinny cat running around in the house. She saw the old, patched up clothes of the mother and her children.
She didn't see the affective relation between the mother and her daughters, she didn't read the titles of the books, which were study books and literature, she didn't see the fresh vegetables and fruit in the corner of the kitchen, and she didn't see the tall collection of educative software or the connection on the internet. She just saw what she wanted to see and before anyone knew what happened, Henny Heks took the children away.

She put the children in a home and there was all sorts of the latest computer games, more toys then they ever had seen before and so much food, that they couldn't it all op. There was meat with every meal. there was meat ath the sandwiches, and there was meat in the hot meal. To the mother she said the children were all right, had lots of toys, and a good home with good food.
But after awhile the girls knew the computer games, read the children books and the food was still food. They missed the hugs and kisses and affection from their mother, they missed their bedtime stories and most of all they missed the simple lessons of life.

At first the mother was devestated. She cried all night and day, but then she knew that crying wouldn't help. She had to do something. She fought the Social Worker, but she was way too powerful. Even with the help of all her friends, she still was too powerful.
Her best freind, the good May Fay, showed here that fighting wasn't the right way. " Let your Love, Caring and Kindness do the job for you..."
The mother had soo much love in her, even when she couldn't share it with her children, she shared it with the people around her. And although it took a long time, the power of love is stronger then enything else.
At first Henny Heks was sent away. Duddly Dude took over from her, but he wasn't that bad. The children showed everyone that their mother had the best influence on them and finally the only thing could be done was that the girls returned home. They still were poor, but now they learned their lesson. Nothing had more value then love and they lived happily ever after...

[nelodra]

Entry 5
Lara sat on the top bunk, her head almost touching the ceiling, as she leaned over the open book her blue eyes wide and passing over the words eagerly as she lost herself in the imaginary world of 'Hansel & Gretel.' The pages rustled as she slowly turned to the next one, completely lost in her own imaginary world of gingerbread houses and witches in the woods.

Larry sat underneath her on the bottom bunk listening to her gasps of surprise and chuckling to himself as he continued to kick up onto the mattress above him, trying to irritate his sister. A foot dangled over the edge of the top bunk and he considered stealing her shoe just to annoy her and distract her from her book. His hand was almost at the heel when his mother tramped up the stairs.

"Right guys, come on, get your things together; we are dropping you off at your auntie's." Larry jumped off of his bed at once, and banged his head on the frame of the wooden bed which finally woke Lara to her surroundings as she let out a loud giggle at the sight of Larry jumping about the room grasping his head in pain. "You too, Lara, come on." Lara slid the book under her pillow and clambered down the ladder, missing the last step in her eagerness to get out of the house.

"Ha ha, Larry your such an idiot." Larry stuck his tongue out at her in retaliation as she hid behind her mother and scurried off down the stairs.

"Right is everyone ready?" The children's father asked as they all traipsed down the stairs into the lounge. "Lara, you don't have a book..." Lara giggled and scratched her chin.

"That's OK, Auntie Caroline tells good stories... even better than the ones in books!" Her father looked down at her proudly - she was a bookworm, always had been, but she was smart too and he knew she would go far in her chosen career one day.

"OK then, let's go." They all filed out of the door, the children's father last so he could lock the house behind them.

The air was cold and crisp, but the family just wrapped their coats tighter around themselves and continued to walk on.

"Ooh, we should leave a trail; so we can find our way back!" Lara exclaimed excitedly. Larry just stared at her as she ran about picking up bits of broken brick that were laying around.

"Lara, we don't need to find our way back. We have mother and father." The expression on his face was one of great exasperation.

"Oh come on, Larry. It's just a bit of fun! We can pretend we are Hansel & Gretel! You can be Hansel, since you're a boy. And I'll be Gretel. Oh please, we can have an adventure." She opened her eyes wide and pouted pleadingly.

"Oh, alright. I'll play, but only until we get to Auntie Caroline's"

The air was cold and crisp and the wind blew through the tall trees that surrounded the path on either side, whipping Gretel's hair into her face and eyes. She and Hansel knew of their mothers plans to ditch them when they were far enough into the woods and had packed their pockets full of bits of a broken boulder which lay a few miles back. The trail now glistened brightly as the reddening sun illuminated the path.

"Don't forget Lara, that I am only playing until we get to Auntie Caroline's"
"For Goodness sake, Larry! My name is Gretel and yours is Hansel. Please play properly!"
"But you just called me Larry. This is confusing."
"No it's not, we're playing pretend! So you pretend that your name is Hansel and my name is Gretel. How hard is that?" Hansel continued to grumble as they trod deeper into the darkening woods.

A short while later and they stopped walking, Lara sat down and leaned back against the soft bark of a tree, while Larry watched her his eyes beady. Their parents bent down and began to gather dry bracken to start a fire and sure enough when they stepped back a fire was roaring as the leaves and dry wood crackled and slowly turned to ash, the smoke trails curling up over the trees and into the starry sky.

"We are just going to get some more firewood." Their mother stated, "You wait here, we won't be long."

"Hansel?" Gretel whispered. "Hansel?" Hansel didn't answer and Gretel began to get frustrated. "LARRY!"

"What?" Larry asked looking at her worriedly.

"You're not playing properly! We are supposed to go to sleep now and when we wake up we will be left all alone because mother and father abandoned us in the woods! Go on, sleep!"

"Lara, they went in the supermarket to get Auntie Caroline a bunch of flowers!"

"THEY WENT TO GET FIREWOOD, NOW GO TO SLEEP! AND MY NAME IS GRETEL!" Gretel's nostrils flared as she closed her eyes and leaned back against the soft tree bark once more.

"Lara, that's disgusting! You're leaning against a bin!" Lara just gave him a sharp look and he surrendered; quickly curling up into a ball on the hard pavement. "Sorry Gretel." he muttered.

Gretel opened her eyes to discover the moonlight shining down on them through the trees branches. The soft grass tickled her face and she lifted her head and shook Hansel.

"Mother and father aren't back yet. The fire has gone out... I think they left us here." Hansel rolled over and opened his eyes, which were blurred as his eyes adjusted to the light.

"Luckily we laid the path of broken boulder pieces then." he said brightly. "I might have been worried if I had closed my eyes for longer than five seconds." Larry murmured. Gretel's eyes wandered down the way they had come.

"But look! They aren't there anymore, the squirrels must have come and taken them away thinking they were nuts!"

"Either that or the road-sweeper came." Larry grumbled quietly.

"What?" Lara's eyes narrowed.

"So where do we go now?" Hansel asked his eyes reflecting the pool of moonlight.

"Why we follow this woodland trail, of course!" Gretel exclaimed, and she began to tread along the dirt path that the other woodland creatures had made.

"I think we should wait here until mother and father come and get us..."

"They aren't going to come and get us Hansel! They left us here and they are never coming back! I'm going this way... you can stay here and get lost - or eaten by wild animals... I don't care!" Gretel continued to walk the path until all Hansel could see was a speck in the distance. He then unfolded his arms, his scowl faded and he stood up and quickly ran after her, following the path she had set. He finally caught up and, when he did so he grabbed her wrist and pulled her round to face him; her face split into a wide grin.

"I knew you would follow me!" She exclaimed happily, giving him a quick hug. "Do you see what I see?" Further into the distance a single smoke trail was floating up into the sky and, underneath was a quaint little cottage.

"What is that doing in the middle of the woods?" Hansel asked as he spied the warm light that spilled through the windows onto the dark grass outside.

As they edged slowly closer, more of the cottage became visible to them and they came to realise that it wasn't just a cottage; it was in actual fact a sweetie cottage it had chocolate, cake, mints, big sugar coated buttons as big as your head. It was delightfully delicious. Hansel and Gretel ran about excitedly, ripping chunks out of the little cottage and gorging themselves on the tasty treats. But their excitement was not to last for much longer, the front door of the cottage opened ominously as a large pool of orange light came spilling out into the garden, with the white chocolate picket fence and sticky, sugary flowers. A figure coated in black emerged from the orange light, standing there silhouetted in the well lit door frame. Hansel and Gretel looked at one another worriedly.

"Larry, Lara. What are you two doing? Where are your parents?" Auntie Caroline looked around, her sister and brother-in-law were nowhere to be seen. "What have you been up to?"

"We have been playing Hansel and Gretel." Lara chirped. "Mother and father abandoned us in the woods, so we followed the trail and found your gingerbread house." Larry sighed heavily as he shook his head, looking at his sister exasperatedly.
"Well I'm not playing any more. I said I would play until we got to Auntie Caroline's and here we are... no more games." He folded his arms defiantly and sniffed. "Ooh, Auntie, what's for dinner?" Auntie Caroline and Larry and Lara all stepped into the orange kitchen.
"well, I have made you some chocolate brownies, but after eating the gingerbread house... I don't suppose you're very hungry are you?" Larry jumped to the dining table and began to stuff as many chocolate brownies as he could into his mouth. "That's right, eat them all up. That's what I made them for." Auntie Caroline grinned and looked back once at Larry before leaving the room.

"Hansel! Stop eating those, can't you see that she is a witch? She's trying to fatten you up so she can eat you!" Larry rolled his eyes.

"Lara, I told you I'm not playing anymore!"

"Hansel I'm not playing. She is seriously going to eat you!" Gretel seemed to have given up trying to persuade Hansel that her name was Gretel and she just watched him anxiously as he cleared the whole plate of brownies. When she heard the witch coming back into the kitchen she was at a loss for what to do, she knew that she was going to be forced to be the witches' slave; that was one thing she desperately didn't want.

"Lara, could you lay the table... I have a new batch of brownies just ready to come out. Do you want to help me get them?"

"No I don't" Gretel exclaimed. "There is no way you are pushing me into that oven! No way that I am going to start cleaning your house! No way!"

"What are you talking about Gretel? I'm just showing you children some hospitality..." The witch stepped forward a look of concern on her face.

"I know you are going to eat Hansel, but he won't believe me! Go on, eat him. EAT HIM!"

Auntie Caroline looked back at Larry confusedly, who just stared with a blank expression on his face at Lara whose face was now as red as a beetroot and whose hair was now standing on end as if full of electricity.

"Lara, I'm not going to eat your brother. Come now, I've just called your mother and father, they are on their way. I can't believe you just left the supermarket without telling them! It's a wonder you weren't taken!" Auntie Caroline waggled her finger at Lara angrily.

"EAT HIM!" Gretel had now balled her hands into fists and she was grinding her teeth as she tried to suppress her growing rage. "I know you are going to anyway, and he won't believe me! Go on, EAT HIM!" The witch shook her head and smiled a toothless smile...

"I do not want to eat anyone."

"If you won't eat him... then I WILL!"

Lara ran forward a fire burning deep inside her eyes as she grabbed her brothers arm and began to gnaw on it like a dog gnaws on a bone. Two huge chunks of her brothers arm were now in between Lara's teeth as she chewed and swallowed hard, the blood only adding to the flavour. Larry tried to pull his arm away, but she only bit down harder; reaching his bone. He yelled in pain, tears streaming from his eyes. The blood dribbled down his face as Lara dug her nails into his flesh, peeling it off and putting more into her mouth. Auntie Caroline had her arms wrapped around Lara's waist trying to pull her away from her brother, but Lara just wriggled free and began to chew desperately on her brothers neck.

"LARA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO YOUR BROTHER?" Her mother screamed from the doorway...

Lara opened her eyes and looked at the fan spinning round and around above her head, she was lying on a leather couch, her hands resting on her stomach... her chest rising higher as she took each breath. The doctor sat behind his desk watching her,

"And that, Doctor, is how I came to be here... how I came to have Gretel inside my head, how I am still sometimes Gretel. So you see, I can never leave this hospital. She will always be there, making me want to eat my brother... she is still always here. I feel her biding her time, waiting for the perfect time to strike, kill... eat!"

The doctor cleared his throat, eyeing the fully grown woman that Lara had become, his silver moustache tickled his nose as he tried to think of an escape.

"Yes well, I think we have made some distinct progress today... you can, er... go back to your leisurely activities." Lara sat up, the leather couch squeaking underneath her, as it unstuck from her bare skin.

"I still sometimes taste him... did you know?" The doctor eyed her worriedly. Lara cocked her head to one side and watched him squirming. "I feel the flesh between my teeth as the blood seeps onto my taste-buds. And do you know what else? Sometimes... sometimes I just want... more." A wicked grin made it's way onto Lara's face, and she seemed to glow with a black hue... her eyes flashed red and she leaped forward sinking her teeth into the doctors flesh.

At least one good thing came of Larry and Lara, Hansel and Gretel...

Larry/Hansel was forewarned of Auntie Caroline/The witches' intentions.

[nelodra]

Entry 6

I don't really want to do this. Gretel said as she continued to pack her stuff in the car.
We have to, Hansel reply. You should be happy we will be there just for a week. No big deal, time flies away and in two weeks you won't remember you were there.
I can't stand that woman; she is to blame for what dad did to us. He left us, without hesitation he gave us away like if we were two puppies, don't you remember? She asked angrily.
At least we were able to stay together. Just let it go Gretel that grudge you hold for dad, is not good. He had his own reasons.
That's shit, what reasons did he have? A new wife?

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Gretel sat back and turned on the radio and sighed. Is going to be a long drive, I wish we would never get there. She said between her teeth.
Hansel heard what she said … Be careful what you wish for, it might actually come true.
They drove in silence, there was nothing to say. They were not exited at all. And the only reason they were making this trip was because their aunt Greta had begged them to. Your Dad is really sick; he wants to see you both.
Gretel had made a big deal of it; she didn't want to see him, not now, not after all these years not after all the tears she had cried. "He left us, he didn't give a *THOU SHALT NOT CURSE!* for us, what does he want now, forgiveness? I will never forgive him; he can go to hell for all I care.
Hansel knew she didn't mean any of the words she'd said, he knew she cries at night and prays for him to get better. But he also knew there was no point in arguing with her.
She was a very stubborn young woman, and more to her dislike she had the same character as her father, probably that's why she couldn't forgive him.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

She keeps playing with the radio, searching for a song she likes. He keeps driving staring ahead, ever since the year started he knew this summer would be different. He knew something was about to happen, he didn't know if it was going to be good or bad, he just knew it would change their lives. He had a feeling, a knot in his chest but he also had the butterflies of excitement flying around his stomach and head.
He was particularly not happy or sad about his father. Of course he wanted him to get better. They haven't talk for almost 15 years; he was a complete stranger for both Gretel and himself.
Unlike Gretel, Hansel held no grudges against his father or his wife, he was actually grateful to them, it was because of them that he had the life he has now. And he was happy with it, he was about to graduate from college and he had a beautiful girlfriend by his side.
Gretel in the other hand had a great resentment for his father and she certainly hated his wife. She couldn't understand why a father would abandon his own children for a woman. A woman he had met for a couple moths.
I have to pee Gretel said…
The next rest area is 30 miles away, can't you hold it?
No, I can't I have to pee NOW. She said urgently.
Alright, alright, no reason to yell. I will stop.
He pulled over to his right and stopped the car.
They had been driving for hours, he also needed to move his legs, he was getting tired.
The sun was already resting over the horizon, those hills seemed to go on forever and the sun seemed to be saying goodbye. They stood outside the car in awe of the view. The sunset with all its colors and forms suggested the existence of a magical world; the mountains on the foreground were beautiful, full of contrast, popping from the surface of the earth, they rise to greater heights as if trying to touch the infinite sky.
The sound of nothing was something they have never experienced before, the stillness and tranquility was beyond comprehension and it was indeed the Sound of Nothing, the strongest sounds of all, they could hear their own thoughts without talking, they could hear their blood running down their veins, every single move, every whisper, every breath, they could hear it all.
They stood there captured by whim, in a trancelike state for what seemed a second, it had been actually fifteen minutes, the sun was completely gone and the majestic mountains had become a dark shadow that stained the horizon, inspiring nothing but fear, and the sound of nothing became a howling cry, an echoing cry so loud and empty spreading terror and despair to the four corners of the night.. The sound was louder than thunder, and under the cover of darkness they witnessed the emergence of a creature born of hell, a living nightmare. With a size that dwarfed the mountains into small hills, it had darkened wings and grisly jaws, and eyes that resembled a lake of fire.
The earth trembled and a burning wind lashed their bodies as the winged creature descended from the sky.
Standing in front of them was a Human- Like- Bird with blackened wings, piercing eyes as fire and a bare body of rotten flesh, if the Devil existed, that monster had to be its perfect portrait. Not even daring to breath, they stood frozen and stared in horror as the creature came closer.
And when the Creature was close enough to smell their fear, it uttered a ferocious roar and opening its wings it jumped back in to the sky. And just as it came, it was gone in a blink of an eye.
Terrified, they got back into the car, she was crying and he was certainly as scared as she was.
They looked at each other and without saying a word they hugged for a long moment.
Tell me I was dreaming, she finally whispered. And as he held her closer he said, if you were dreaming, I was in that nightmare too.
Gretel began to sob bitterly, Hansel too felt scared, but he knew he had to protect and comfort his sister, just like he always did.
In a week, we will be laughing about this "thing", we could even be on TV talking about what happened. We will be famous; he said as he tried to laugh, but the laugh didn't come out, he was too terrified to be joking around.
That thing was evil; didn't you see its eyes? The way it looked at us, the way it breathed our smelled, he wants to remember who we are, and he will haunt us down.
Come on Gretel, you have been watching too much TV. If it wanted to kills us, it would have done it already, we were there in front of it, and we couldn't even move there was nowhere to run.
You don't understand, it would have been so easy, that's why it didn't kill us. Its eyes were laughing at us, it was enjoying our fear. It will kill us. I'm frightened, I want to go home.
Everything is going to be ok; I'm here to look after you. Hansel said trying to comfort his sister, but the truth was that he too shivered as he remembered what had just happened.
Holding to each other's hands they slept all the way through the night, when they finally woke up the rays of the sun where bathing their faces.
And as they looked at each other, they had the same thought, everything was a nightmare, they were tired, hungry and thirsty, it was probably just a nightmare. It had to be, there was no chance that a creature like that existed in this world.
They continued their journey, 30 miles to get to the closer Rest Area, in there; they would fill up the tank, eat something, and then continue north across StrangeTown till they reach Blue Water Village. If everything went as planned, they would arrive to their destination in a day or so.
And drove they did for 20, 30, 40, 50 miles and the Rest Area was nowhere to be seen, there was nothing around but an empty road, no one in front, no one behind, from left to right it was a dead road. There were no houses or buildings in sight, everything was trees and hills.
All of a sudden a grayish truck came out of nowhere; it was heading right at them.
"What the hell is he doing?"
"Move out of his way, let him pass". Gretel said
Hansel move to the left but the truck followed him, he moved back the right and the trucked went after him, finally the trucked pushed them off the road.
He was about to get off the car when she pulled him back, "sit down, stop it, that man is crazy, just let him go", Hansel did as Gretel said, he pulled over to the right and let the man drive away.
What the hell is going on in here, last night that thing, and then this? This town is crazy!
You should be happy, it just means we are near somewhere; I'm so hungry, and thirsty.
I know… stop complaining, you are just annoying me.
For the hundredth time he asked if they were on the right direction. And for the hundredth time she looked at the map. We are.
Then where the hell is the stupid Rest Area? We have driven more than 60 miles and there is none.
They continued to drove in silence, they both were irritated and tired, they knew that if the complains and questions continued, they would end up fighting and a fight right now was something they couldn't allow. They should focus their attention into something else; find a gas station, a rest area or a place where they could spend the night. After what had happened the night before, they didn't want to be on the road once the sun was settled.
Suddenly the car stopped, "the gas talk is empty", he said.
What do you mean is empty?
No more gas, we are stocked on this road, we need to get out and walk, unless you want to stay and wait for someone to pass by.
That will never happen, we have been driving for two days and we haven't seen a single car. Just that maniac in the truck.
Well then get your bag, and let's go.
Where is your phone?
It should be in my backpack.
Let's call 911.
Why didn't I think about that before?
Because you are stupid, get the phone and call.
He reached for his backpack and got the cell phone.
The battery is dead.
What? You have to be kidding me! Why would you bring a phone when the battery is dead? Why didn't you charge it? *THOU SHALT NOT CURSE!* it.
And where the hell is your phone?
I don't have it!
Superb! Such a great idea to leave it at home, you are smart Sis!
Shut up, if you were not bugging me all the time, I would have remembered to put in my bag.
Whatever, get your stuff and let's start walking.
We don't even know where to go!
There is just one road, it's not like we have any options!
*THOU SHALT NOT CURSE!* it!
They walked for two hours and finally found a little village, no trace of its inhabitants, there was a strange feeling on the air, almost tangible, it sent shivers down their spine. Maybe we should go back to the car, I don't like this place. She said. I have a bad sensation on the stomach.
I'm not going back, we have been walking for hours, and we better find a place to stay tonight.
There is no one in here.
Then we shouldn't have trouble finding a place to sleep, we have this whole village for the two of us.
You are insane. This village isn't empty for nothing. Something really bad happened in here, I can sense it.
Don't tell me you are psychic now.
I'm serious Hansel, I want to go back. Why don't you ever listen to me? Let's go back.
I'm not stopping you. I'm going this way, if you don't want to follow me, it's up to you.
And as they got deeper into the village the burning sensation she had on her stomach just grew up bigger and deeper, she was nervous, scared, the sound of nothing was present again and as they walked they could hear every step, ever breathe. She was lost in her own mind, trying to figure out what had happened in the village.
Gretel, are you listening to me?
I'm sorry, I was… I don't know… what?
Look, there is a cabin with the lights on. Let's go there.
It smells like sweets.
I think we are in time for dinner. Hopefully they will invite us in, I'm hungry.
They knocked on the door three times; a small old lady came to answer. Her hair was completely gray and her face creased with lines, large dark circles around her eyes and a hunch in her back.
Oh my, my my my, so glad to see new faces around here. Come on in, I just finished baking some sweets. I bet my babies wouldn't mind sharing them with you. Come in, you two look awfully tired and so hungry.
They smiled at the sweet old lady and accepted her invitation.
A little cabin full of cats more than 20 in one tiny room. There was an awful smell of humidity; the smell of cat littler was musty, powerful and overwhelming. She felt like throwing up, she had never seen so many cats in one tiny room. The feeling of being watch and the strong smell of ammonia and nicotine were soon reaching her empty burning stomach, the sensation on her throat grew bigger, how long would she be able to contain the necessity to run away and throw up.
These are my babies, the old lady said, I don't remember all the names, I'm getting old and my memory is not as good as it used to be. She laughed.
They just smiled, didn't know what to say.
What brought you to this place? It's not very often that we get to see someone new around here.
We were heading to Blue Water Village. Our car broke. Do you know where we can get a mechanic?
Oh my, well, you won't find anyone else in this village I'm the only one left here.
What do you mean?
Everyone else is gone, they left.
Why?
They said this village was cursed.
Cursed?
Yes, my dear…
Why didn't you leave?
I grew up here; I'll die here.
What kind of cursed?
It's a long story. Few days after the eclipse last year, a young man showed up, he was bathed in blood, his flesh was falling off in shreds, he had marks all over what was left of his body, he was dehydrated and could barely stand, somehow he made to the entrance of the village, some children found him and went to get a doctor, once he woke up, he started talking about a creature, he said, the creature had killed his wife and his three children, of course nobody believed him, we all thought he was insane, but after that night, every 33 days someone disappeared and never came back, and the few that came back barely survived , all they talked about the creature. Everyone got scared and decided to leave. They said this village was the first door to hell. The rumor spread quickly and soon all the travelers stopped coming this way.
Is that true?
I don't know my beauty, I don't know, that's what they said.
What are we going to do Hansel?
You can stay here; if you wish, there is a young man who comes by every Tuesday to see if I need something, I will ask him to give you ride.
We will really appreciate that.
You must be tired, eat these sweets and take a shower, you can sleep in the room in the back, it used to be my daughter's room, hasn't been used in a while.
Thank you Ma'am.
Oh you are welcome, it's a pleasure.
I'm sorry; you didn't tell us your name.
There is no need for you to know, you will soon forget.
Sleep well my children. Sleep well. And with that she walked away.
It stinks in here, and what's with all the cats?
Stop complaining Gretel you should be grateful that she let us stayed.
The room was tiny and dark, the only light was coming from the moon outside. As she opened the curtains to allow the light in, she noticed something outside.
Hansel, come here. Hurry up. She said urgently
I'm tired, what do you want?
Come here dumass.
He reluctantly got off the bed and walked towards her, what?
Isn't that the truck from this morning?
He rubbed his eyes and cleaned the window with his hand. I don't think so.
Are sure?
How would I know, it's dark outside, let's go to sleep.
They went to sleep and in the middle of the night, she awoke to the feeling of something liking her face, thank goodness it was just a kitty. There were some noises coming from outside, once again she got up and walked to the window, she saw the old lady, carrying some bags onto the truck, the bags looked heavy, but the old woman was able to handled them as if they were nothing. Strange for an old woman to be outside this late and doing all the hard work.
She decided to go outside, and joined the old lady.
Excuse, ma'am, do you need help? She asked.
And the woman, turned around immediately. Her eyes were different from before, and the hunch in her back was also gone.
Gretel stood there frozen, that same feeling from the day she saw that creature came to her, she wanted to scream, ask for help, but the words wouldn't come out, she wanted to run away but her legs wouldn't respond, there was nothing she could do, those eyes, she was sure those eyes were the creature's eyes. The fear she felt, the burning sensation, the old lady was enjoying it all. As she came closer to Gretel and caress her face, she said, "you should be sleeping my dear, tomorrow would be a hard day" and she walked away, Gretel felt to her knees and sobbed, what the hell was that? Was she imagining things?
Next morning the old lady was nowhere to be seen, Gretel told Hansel what had happened, and they both decided to see what was inside the bags on the truck.
As soon as they opened the first bag, the dreadful and overpowering smell of putrefaction and rotten flesh spread thru the air. She fell to her knees and cried at the sight of what was inside that bag, he wants to do the same, but his survival instincts tell him there is no time for that, they have to get away as soon as they can.
Listen to me Gretel, look at me, I promise everything will be ok, but we need to run away immediately, I don't know if the old lady did this, but we need to leave now.
They went back to the cabin and collected the little stuff they had, they were ready to leave when the front door opened, the old lady standing in front of them, a wicked smiled on her face.
The air became thick and the room got incredible cold and then the howling cry, a roar so loud that reverberated into an earthquake knocking them to the ground. And they watched as the old lady transformed into a Human- Like- Bird with blackened wings, piercing eyes as fire and a bare body of rotten flesh.
Too bad, looks like you are not going anywhere after all... Well… why don't you beg for your life, I might have mercy and let one of you alive. Who should I eat first? The girl or the guy? Let's see, let's smell your fear. So week and foolish, I can even bear watching you cry.
The creature said.

He stood up. Now, hurry run away, I will distract it. Get away now. It's not like he could have done anything, but he still headed forwards the creature by himself.
And with one arm it pushed him away to the end of the other room… You are really annoying, I hate people like you. Trying to be a hero when you can even defend yourself, I will eat her first in front of you, let see what you do to save her. Impotence is a sin.
The creature reached to grab Gretel but Hansel threw the candle that was in the other room. The candle fell on the floor starting a fire and in less than a second the whole cabin was on flames, he stood up and searched for his sister. Somehow they made it out of the cabin and they ran away as far and fast as they could.
They turned around to see the village being consumed by fire and they thought everything was over but then the Creature came walking throughout the flames.
How would you like to see what death is like?

The end.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Hansel, Gretel, wake up, you are going to be late, you were supposed to be in the Airport 20 minutes ago.

[nelodra]

The participants were:

Entry 1 - Zayury
Entry 2 - Lizzy
Entry 3 - Pablo
Entry 4 - Gracia
Entry 5 - Sam
Entry 6 - Sandra

The Winner was Sam.
Zayury came second.

[Sam King Of Arrania]

So when do we get a new writing contest?
I want to retell another fairytale!
Please, please, please?
I could obviously just write one but I would like to see what other people come up with too...

[Chardonnay]

Well, let's get this set up first..and then some prizes in the pool!!!

[nelodra]

Retelling fairytales is fun, innit?

I think we should do a new contest soon, maybe when Sandra is back from her holiday and all our Regulars have found their way over here.