Listen or read along. “Hansel and Gretel” is a free
classic fairy tale for ages 4–6, narrated aloud in about 5 minutes.
The full text is below, and the Sleepfox app reads it to your child with a
calm voice, a dimming screen and a gentle sleep timer.
Once upon a time, two children lived in a little cottage at the edge of a forest.
Their names were Hansel and Gretel.
One morning, their father said they would all go for a walk together in the woods.
Hansel filled his pockets with smooth white pebbles from the garden.
They walked and walked between the tall, whispering trees.
Every few steps, Hansel dropped a pebble on the path behind them.
When the sun began to set, Father said he needed to go back alone for a little while.
"Wait here," he said softly. "I'll return soon."
Hansel and Gretel sat down on a mossy log.
The forest grew dim and quiet around them.
But Hansel smiled. "Don't worry," he whispered. "I left us a trail."
The white pebbles glowed like tiny moons in the twilight.
The children followed them all the way home, and Father was so happy to see them.
The next day, they went walking again.
This time Hansel had no pebbles, only a piece of bread in his pocket.
He broke off little crumbs and dropped them as they walked.
Again, Father had to leave them in the forest.
But when Hansel looked for the crumbs… they were gone.
The birds had eaten every one.
"We'll find our way," Gretel said bravely, taking her brother's hand.
They walked and walked through the quiet trees.
Just as the stars began to peek through the branches, they saw something magical.
A little cottage stood in a moonlit clearing.
Its walls seemed to sparkle.
As they came closer, they saw it was decorated all over with candy and cookies and frosting.
"How beautiful," Gretel whispered.
A kind old woman opened the door.
"Hello, little ones," she said softly. "You look tired. Come inside and rest."
She gave them warm milk and soft blankets.
Hansel and Gretel felt safe and sleepy.
In the morning, the old woman seemed different.
She asked Hansel to do too many chores.
She wanted Gretel to help with too much work.
But Gretel was clever.
She whispered a plan to her brother.
When the old woman looked away, the children tiptoed to the door.
"Thank you for your kindness," Gretel called back politely, "but we must go home now."
They ran into the forest, following the morning sun.
Soon they heard a familiar voice calling their names.
"Hansel! Gretel!"
It was their father, searching for them.
He scooped them both into the biggest, warmest hug.
"I've been looking everywhere," he said. "I'm so sorry. I'll never leave you again."
He carried them all the way home through the friendly forest.
That night, Hansel and Gretel lay in their own cozy beds.
The cottage was small but filled with love.
Father tucked the quilts around them gently.
"You were so brave," he whispered. "And so clever."
Outside, the wind sang a soft lullaby through the trees.
Inside, the children felt safe and warm and loved.
Gretel's eyes grew heavy.
Hansel yawned a sleepy yawn.
The stars twinkled through their window like the pebbles on the path…
Guiding them softly, softly into the sweetest dreams.
And they slept peacefully ever after.
Listen to it free in the app
Sleepfox narrates every story aloud, dims the screen, and fades out with a
gentle sleep timer. A brand-new story is added free every night.
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Pinocchio
The Ebony Horse