A poor woodcutter lives with his wife and children in a small cottage. They have little food to eat and are often hungry. One day, the woodcutter's wife sends their youngest child into the forest to fetch a basket of strawberries. The child wanders deeper into the forest than intended and comes across a hut made entirely of bread. The child knocks on the door, and an old woman answers. She invites the child inside and offers them food and drink. The child eats until they are full, but then realizes they must return home. The old woman gives the child a small loaf of bread to take back to their family. When the child returns home, they find that the hut in the forest has been transformed into a large castle made entirely of bread. The woodcutter's wife and children are all eating from the castle walls. The child is welcomed back with open arms, and the family lives happily ever after.
By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature