Early in the morning before the children were awake, the witch grabbed Hansel and locked him in a closet. Then she shook Gretel awake, and cried, "Get up, lazy thing, and help me get the oven ready.
I'm going to bake your brother into gingerbread!"
Gretel wept at the witch's words, but she had no choice but to do as the old woman commanded.
Once a fire had been lit beneath the oven, the witch pushed poor Gretel toward the oven.
"Creep inside," said the witch, "and see if the oven is hot enough."
