On All Hallows' Eve, the two dressed to frighten

the elder in grey, and the younger in white

sheets from their beds with holes cut for their eyes

with worn pillowcase sacks, went into the night

 

From red door to white door, front porch to awning

the two young collectors took sweets for their stash,

and Hansel left wrappers behind on each doorstep

and Gretel forgot to keep track of the map.

 

They'd gone far beyond the neighborhood gates

with the moonlight alone to show them where to walk

when they came to the biggest, most cob-webby house

and candy-filled Hansel reached up: Knock. Knock. Knock.

 

The door opened slowly but loud with a creak-

and the two little ghosts both let out a shriek!

But then they laid eyes on the bounty before them-

A whole plate of full sized candy bars to eat!

 

And then, they looked up - and what did they see,

but a real life witch on All Hallows' Eve!

Hansel and Gretel were too shocked to move 

and the witch had to cackle and said "trick or treat!"

 

"My dears," she crooned, "I'll give you the whole plate

if you come to my kitchen and bake me a cake,"

Gretel thought that was weird but her brother was quick

to follow the witch and claim his bait.

 

They went to the kitchen where the witch lit a fire

then she said, "dear boy, check for me if it's hot!"

and Gretel grabbed her brother and ran for the door

but shaking the handle, she found it was locked!

 

She thought they were toast and she started to cry

but then she remembered a clever trick

adults always loved to think children were stupid-

the two could escape if she tricked the witch!

 

So Gretel said sweetly, "I'm sorry, old hag, 

my brother doesn't know how to get in the stove.

Could you show him how? Then we'll bake you a cake!"

And the witch was annoyed and she screamed and she groaned-

 

"Children these days! Can't open an oven," 

and she pulled on the handle and stepped in

and Gretel ran forward and pushed hard as she could

and slammed the oven door and the witch caught flame!

 

The children ran fearful she'd catch them at once

and they kicked down the door and ran into the night,

and once they were sure they had lost the old croak,

Hansel hugged Gretel for saving his life.

 

At night when the two were at home in their beds, 

and their now holey sheets were tucked in nice and tight,

Hansel smiled to himself and he pulled from his pockets

A huge full sized candy bar - and he took a big bite.