It was already the next morning when Hansel and Gretel awoke, and they were more than just surprised by what they saw. At least six other children, four girls and two boys, were also in the room. Wait, was this still the same bedroom they had fallen asleep it? After a moment, they realized this was not the same room. It was much bigger, and had at least ten beds, room for two more kids, and had a massive dining table set in the middle of the room. It was also a very tall room with vaulted ceilings and windows that were very high up, not low enough to see out of, but there to give the room some natural lighting. But Hansel and Gretel took note of the other kids in the room. They were close to their own age and looked like they had just escaped the famine of the village too. The kids were already sat around the large dining table, digging in to a hearty breakfast. There were pancakes, dripping with syrup, several dozens of eggs prepared all sorts of ways, bacon, sausage, and ham, fresh from the pan, toast, and thick, fluffy biscuits dripping with butter. Hansel and Gretel found that their stomachs were already speaking for them. Only now did the other children notice them, so intent on eating the hearty meal. They gave a cheerful, but short greeting and went back to eating. “Wh-who are all of you?” Hansel asked.
The witch, who to the children still seemed like a dear, old woman, had entered and answered his question. “Oh, you’re not the first abandoned children I’ve taken in,” she said, “and it seems this famine is leaving more and more of you without homes. Not to worry. I have plenty, and you are all more than welcome to stay. I can’t stand the thought of sending you back into that harsh wilderness only to go back to a famine-riddled town. That’s no place for children.” She put on her most pitiful face as she punctuated that last sentence.
Hansel and Gretel looked at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation. Eventually, Hansel spoke up. “It would be wonderful to stay,” he said, “but it wouldn’t be too much trouble, would it?”
“Of course not,” she replied, “no trouble at all.”
“We would miss our father, though,” Gretel added, “but going home to more famine is probably not wise.”
“This is true,” the witch agreed, “and perhaps we may visit him some day, and bring some of our wonderful bounty to him. Now, dig in. Enjoy your first day here.”
Hansel and Gretel got up and properly made the acquaintance of the other inhabitants. There was William and Jacob, two identical twin brothers who hardly said more than “Have a seat” before stuffing their faces again. Cindy, the eldest of all the children was much more prudent and at least took the time to get to know Hansel and Gretel. She was a sweet girl who could at times be very maternal and protective. Martha was shy, but was at least curious about the new guests, and listened intently as they told their story. Ellie was a selfish sort, who was more concerned that there was not going to be enough food for her with two more mouths to feed. And Suzi hardly said a word. She seemed to be in some sort of eating trance.
All the children continued to eat, the food all so irresistible; too irresistible in fact. They had no idea just how long they had been eating, or that they had easily been helping themselves to fourth and fifth servings. They all attributed that to having had so little in their lives that they were just making up for lost time. However, they were reaching a stopping point, all too painfully stuffed to fit another bite in. The witch was only too kind to help them all up and back into bed, sometimes helping one rub their taut middles as she tucked them in.
That’s right, she thought, just eat and sleep for the first few weeks. The actual work, on her part would begin after they had had a few days to be lulled into a sense of security. For now, they would just be fat, dumb, and happy, just like all the others. She was already thinking about the one in the stalls out in the barn she was going to eat tonight. Oh yes, the witch had a rather effective piggy farm going. Once they reached a certain weight, she kept them in a pig sty in the barn until they were ready to eat. It would take several months to get this bunch to that point, but that was why she was so good at what she did. Timing was everything.
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