Hansel and Gretel are abandoned in the dark forest by their poor parents, who no longer know how to feed their children. The first time, they find their way home again because Hansel has scattered pebbles; the second time, he only has breadcrumbs, which are picked up by the birds. Thus, the children get lost in the woods. They come across a gingerbread house and start nibbling on it out of hunger. An old woman then appears and kindly invites them in - but she is a wicked witch who wants to fatten the children up and then devour them. The two realize this in time and manage to push the witch into the fire. Loaded with rich treasures, they return home.