Thereupon a shrill voice called out from the room inside : `` Nibble , nibble , little mouse , Who 's nibbling my house ? '' The children answered : `` Tis Heaven 's own child , The tempest wild , '' and went on eating , without putting themselves about . Hansel , who thoroughly appreciated the roof , tore down a big bit of it , while Grettel pushed out a whole round window-pane , and sat down the better to enjoy it . Suddenly the door opened , and an ancient dame leaning on a staff hobbled out . Hansel and Grettel were so terrified that they let what they had in their hands fall . But the old woman shook her head and said : `` Oh , ho ! you dear children , who led you here ? Just come in and stay with me , no ill shall befall you . '' She took them both by the hand and let them into the house , and laid a most sumptuous dinner before them -- milk and sugared pancakes , with apples and nuts . After they had finished , two beautiful little white beds were prepared for them , and when Hansel and Grettel lay down in them they felt as if they had got into heaven . -LRB- 1 -RRB- He was a vulgar boy ! The old woman had appeared to be most friendly , but she was really an old witch who had waylaid the children , and had only built the little bread house in order to lure them in . When anyone came into her power she killed , cooked , and ate him , and held a regular feast-day for the occasion . Now witches have red eyes , and can not see far , but , like beasts , they have a keen sense of smell , and know when human beings pass by . When Hansel and Grettel fell into her hands she laughed maliciously , and said jeeringly : `` I 've got them now ; they sha 'n' t escape me . '' Early in the morning , before the children were awake , she rose up , and when she saw them both sleeping so peacefully , with their round rosy cheeks , she muttered to herself : `` That 'll be a dainty bite . '' Then she seized Hansel with her bony hand and carried him into a little stable , and barred the door on him ; he might scream as much as he liked , it did him no good . Then she went to Grettel , shook her till she awoke , and cried : `` Get up , you lazy-bones , fetch water and cook something for your brother . When he 's fat I 'll eat him up . '' Grettel began to cry bitterly , but it was of no use ; she had to do what the wicked witch bade her .
So the best food was cooked for poor Hansel , but XXXXX got nothing but crab-shells .
Grettel Hansel Tis escape fall ho lazy-bones morning pancakes window-pane