Once Upon a Time

True North

In the forest, a man is hacking at a tree with an axe until he manages to topple it. Gretel and Hansel appear from behind another tree. “Ah! A fine specimen. The wood it provides will keep our family’s hearth warm this winter.” said their father.

“Can’t I have an axe?” Gretel questions

“Huh?”

“You did say you wanted me here so I could help.”

“That I did. So, here’s your task – take the cart, go fill it with kindling. The drier the better.”

“Okay.”

“And have your brother accompany you.”

“Okay.” Gretel picks up the end of the cart and goes to leave.

“Wait!” The Father removes the compass from around his neck and places it over Gretel’s head.

“Take this.”

“Your compass?”

“So you don’t get lost. A family always needs to be able to find one another.”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. Go. Be safe.” Hansel and Gretel take the cart and go deeper into the woods.

O.U.T

Hansel and Gretel are still collecting kindling for their father. Hansel has a slingshot and is shooting rocks into the forest.

“It’s getting late. We should go.” Gretel says. She takes his slingshot.

“Hey! Give it back. Come on, Gretel! Give it back.” Hansel yells.

“No, Hansel. We need to get back to Father.”

“Fine.”

“Follow me.” Gretel leads them to the area where their father was cutting down trees. However, there is no one there. “This is where we left him.”

“So why isn’t he here?”

“Father!”

“Father!” They hear a noise in the distance and start running in that direction.

“Father! Father! Father! ” They end up coming to a road that cuts through the woods. When they turn to head down it, they encounter several of the Evil Queen’s guards on horseback, as well as the Evil Queen’s carriage. Two of the guards drag Hansel and Gretel to the carriage. The Evil Queen steps out.

“What are you doing in my forest?”

O.U.T

Hansel, Gretel, and the Evil Queen are still on the road in the forest.

Please forgive us. We didn’t mean to bother you, we just… We just lost our father.” Gretel apoligizes.

“Two helpless children. Lost and alone. A family torn asunder. Such a sad and moving story. Guards – seize them!”

Gretel takes out Hansel’s slingshot. “Hansel, run!”

Hansel runs into the forest. Gretel flings a rock at the approaching guard, which disorientates him enough for her to get away. Gretel follows Hansel into the forest. The guard starts to chase after them, but the Evil Queen stops him. Hansel and Gretel are running up a hill, when the Evil Queen dissipates and appears in front of them. “Running from me is foolish.”

Hansel and Gretel attempt to get away, but the Evil Queen summons a group of vines to catch them. The vines wrap around them, leaving them immobilized on the ground. “Foolish, but also brave. And that bravery may just have saved you and your family’s lives.” The Evil Queen vanquishes the vines.