dwelt hard by a great forest with their poor, woodcutter father and their surly, jealous stepmother. The elder and wiser of the sisters was named Hannah; tall and willowy with a luscious main of auburn curls and apricot-shaded skin that was as fair and flawless as porcelain. Her younger and more impetuous sibling was named Gretel; diminutive and curvaceous with a head of raven black locks and rose-stained lips that were as sweet and seductive as wine. Hannah and Gretel lived a lowly existence of chores and poverty and were endlessly persecuted by their odious stepmother. Their father had little to bite or break and once when a great dearth fell on the land he could no longer even procure daily bread. He thought this over at night and tossed about in his bed with anxiety. He groaned and