Thanks Keith, and thanks for the comment on the ending! I was agonising over it for a while thinking 'is this clear? Will they know what's going on?' but a bit of ambiguity never hurts.
Thank you Liz! Haha, I love the crow, too. I was quite happy with the ending. I thought it was closure, and in a way, a happy ending. Still quite dark but hey ho. I'm in good company 🥰
Thank you! I did get a bit emotional with the description of the little baby, not going to lie. Still, a happy ending after what have been dark times for them.
I was spellbound reading this story. The original Hansel and Gretel is filled with Christian symbolism. Your story is also high symbolic, which works beautifully. I love the idea of transforming the witch's gingerbread house into a possible metaphor for heaven. (Where the sick father will be coming "soon.") Bravo!
Thanks Sandy. I had no idea that the original was laced with Christian symbolism but it makes sense completely! I thought I'd do a bittersweet ending for this one, and harden the older boy with suspicion after having lived such a tough life.
There are several references to a white dove which actually has both Christian and Judaic symbolism. It's a dove that brings a branch to Noah after the fload indicating that the waters are finally going down. Some churhes show a dove as a symbol of God's peace. I'm actually not a religious man, but I'm an educator and a reader. LOL.
I'm with Hansel. It's a trick!
Could well be. Happy New year, Richard!
I hope 2025 brings you even more success and satisfaction!
Nice take on a classic tale. I like the ambiguous ending.
Thanks Keith, and thanks for the comment on the ending! I was agonising over it for a while thinking 'is this clear? Will they know what's going on?' but a bit of ambiguity never hurts.
Lovely! And it’s a beautiful ending - as beautiful as fairy tale provides. I love the psychopomp crow.
Thank you Liz! Haha, I love the crow, too. I was quite happy with the ending. I thought it was closure, and in a way, a happy ending. Still quite dark but hey ho. I'm in good company 🥰
Hanna that was lovely! So bittersweet!! 🥺
Thank you! I did get a bit emotional with the description of the little baby, not going to lie. Still, a happy ending after what have been dark times for them.
I was spellbound reading this story. The original Hansel and Gretel is filled with Christian symbolism. Your story is also high symbolic, which works beautifully. I love the idea of transforming the witch's gingerbread house into a possible metaphor for heaven. (Where the sick father will be coming "soon.") Bravo!
Thanks Sandy. I had no idea that the original was laced with Christian symbolism but it makes sense completely! I thought I'd do a bittersweet ending for this one, and harden the older boy with suspicion after having lived such a tough life.
There are several references to a white dove which actually has both Christian and Judaic symbolism. It's a dove that brings a branch to Noah after the fload indicating that the waters are finally going down. Some churhes show a dove as a symbol of God's peace. I'm actually not a religious man, but I'm an educator and a reader. LOL.
Wonderful story, I felt like I was with them in the forest.
thanks so much, Nancy. I was hesitant to share this one with the fact of it being the first of the year 😄
It was a terrific start to the New Year, bravo! I love fairy tales!😊
I like your rewrite of the classic story.
Thanks Tracy! Happy New Year
You too Hanna!
Beautifully crafted from the original & tinged with sadness - fantastic