If she keeps far enough away from humans, perhaps she won't be forced to hurt them. Deep in the woods lives the old witch called Ugly One. All she wants is to forget-the she was once a loving mother and a healer, blessed and powerful within her magic circle, and not a witch, claimed by the devils. Then one day she hears the footsteps she dreads. Then real voices-children's voices. The Ugly One longs to take care of sturdy, sensible Gretel and her young brother Hansel. They are such good childr