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Hansel and Gretel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a

little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the

wood-axe they believed that their father was near. It was not the

axe, however, but a branch which he had fastened to a withered

tree which the wind was blowing backwards and forwards. And as

they had been sitting such a long time, their eyes closed with

fatigue, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it

was already dark night. Gretel began to cry and said: 'How are we

to get out of the forest now?' But Hansel comforted her and said:

'Just wait a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will

soon find the way.' And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took

his little sister by the hand, and followed the pebbles which

shone like newly-coined silver pieces, and showed them the way.