Week 13 Storytelling: The Cottage in the Woods

A man by the name of Hans and his wife, Gretchen, had just moved to Storybrook. They were staying at the local hotel, but were quickly trying to find a new home so they could get settled. Hans picked up the Storybook Gazette on his way home from work so they could begin browsing the listings.

Gretchen: How was your first day, honey?

Hans: It was great! I think we made a really good decision moving here. The people are so welcoming and Storybrook has that small town charm!

Gretchen: I also noticed how friendly the people were today. All we need now is a place to call home, and we'll be set!

Hans: I picked up the local newspaper to search for listings. Let's take a look.

They browsed for a minute or two. Then, they stumbled across a listing that caught both of their eyes.

Gretchen: Look! There's a small single family cottage just outside of town, and look at the price! That can't be right!

Hans: Hmm. That must be a misprint. There's no way a house with that much land could be that cheap. I'll give the real estate office a call in the morning.

The next morning Hans phoned the local real estate office and set up a viewing for that afternoon. He couldn't wait to surprise Gretchen!

Gretchen: Well, you're home early from work! Is everything alright?

Hans: Everything is great! I got off a little early so I could surprise you! I called the real estate office this morning and set up a viewing for the cottage in the woods. Now hurry and get your shoes on, we're going to be late!

......

Sandra: Hello there, my name is Sandra. I'm with Storybrook Realty! Are we ready to see this wonderful property?

Hans: Hello, I'm Hans and this is my wife, Gretchen, we can't wait to see the house!

Sandra: Great! Follow me! First things first, this isn't your typical cottage. As you're probably already noticing, the house is not made out of the usual materials. Why is this you ask? It's a very interesting story actually. A few years back, two young siblings got lost in the woods. They had been gone for weeks before they finally found their way back home. When they returned they had quite the story to tell. They claimed that they came across a house made of sweet breads and cakes, and windows of sugar. They said the house saved their lives, because they had gone days without food. It sounds absurd right? Well it just so happened they were telling the truth! They led the sheriff back here to this very spot and sure enough, the cottage they spoke of stands here to this day. It's been on the market ever since.

Hans: Is there a reason that no one has purchased the house? Is it.........haunted?

Sandra: Haunted? No, no, nothing of the sort. The reason no one has purchased it is because the children also claimed that a witch lived here when they stumbled upon the cabin. They said they were trapped here for weeks, until one day the younger sibling burnt the witch alive and freed her brother at last. Now, there is no proof that this is true or that witches are even real for that matter, but that's the rumor that has been going around for years.

Gretchen: Sandra, could we have a moment to discuss?

Sandra: Sure! Take all the time you need!

Gretchen: Honey, this house is perfect! It's super cheap and it's one of a kind! A house made of sweet breads and cakes? We'll become famous once we get the word out that we own this place!

Hans: You're right sweetheart. Sandra, we'll take it!

Sandra: Great! I'll have the paperwork drawn up and you two can move in immediately!

A few weeks had passed. Hans and Gretchen were slowly getting settled into their new home. After the first week Gretchen began noticing strange occurrences while she was home alone during the day. Doors began opening themselves, dishes started falling from the cabinets, and the most recent, the oven kept turning itself on. She decided that it was probably nothing and to keep it to herself.

One moonless night, Hans and Gretchen were suddenly awoken by a blood curdling scream. Hans immediately grabbed a bat and ran downstairs to see what was making the noise. When he got to the kitchen, he found the oven with flames bursting out of the cracks, and what seemed to be an old woman's face, screaming through the flames. He grabbed the water faucet from the kitchen sink and began to put the fire out, but it only made matters worse. The screams got louder and the flames more intense. He ran upstairs, grabbed Gretchen, and fled the cottage in the woods. They never returned, and never spoke a word of what happened in that house.

Author's Note: This week I read one of the Brothers Grimm units. This story is based off of Hansel and Grethel. In the original story, when Hansel and Grethel were lost in the woods they come across a cabin made of sweet breads, cakes and sugar. They were famished and began eating the house when the owner approached them. It was an old lady who tricked them into coming inside and then held them hostage so that she could fatten them up and eat them. She was a witch. One day Grethel tricked the witch into getting in the oven and burnt her alive. Grethel and her brother escaped and returned home. The story never mentions the house or the witch again, so I thought I would create a spin-off story that tells what happens to the cottage. Also, I thought I would incorporate the witch as well. Did Grethel actually kill the witch, or did she just think she did? Maybe she did kill the witch, but the ghost of the witch will haunt the cottage forever? You decide.

(illustration by Otto Ubbelohde)

Bibliography: Margaret Hunt's Household Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm (1884).