Hänsel

Hänsel is a character from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Hänsel and Gretel". He is the young son of a poor woodcutter and his second wife. Faced with starvation, the woodcutter's wife convinces him to abandon Hänsel and his sister, Gretel, in the forest. Hänsel, however, is a clever boy. The first time they are abandoned, he leaves a trail of white pebbles to guide them back home. When the couple attempts to abandon them again, Hänsel tries to leave a trail of breadcrumbs, but the birds eat them, leaving the children lost. They eventually stumble upon a gingerbread house, which is a trap set by a wicked witch who eats children. Hänsel and Gretel, through their courage and quick thinking, manage to outsmart and defeat the witch, escaping with her treasure and returning to their father. Hänsel's character is often depicted as resourceful and brave, acting as a protector to his younger sister. The story of Hänsel and Gretel is one of the most well-known and enduring tales collected by the Brothers Grimm, exploring themes of poverty, abandonment, and the triumph of wit over evil.