Mary Maples Dodge

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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00261

Once upon a time in the beautiful, frost-covered land of Holland, there lived a poor but kind-hearted family called the Brinker family. The father, Raff Brinker, had once been a hardworking man, but an accident left him unable to work or even remember who he was. His loving wife, Dame Brinker, did her best to support their small family, including her two children, Hans and his younger sister, Gretel.

 Life was hard for the Brinkers. While other children played with shiny skates on the frozen canals, Hans and Gretel had to make do with crude wooden skates that Hans had carved himself. But even without fancy skates, they glided joyfully across the ice. Hans and Gretel were not just brave; they were also kind, humble, and full of hope.

One day, the people of the village began whispering about an exciting event — the grand skating race on the Great Canal. The prize? A pair of shiny, brand-new silver skates! Hans and Gretel's eyes lit up with wonder. They had never owned anything as fine as silver skates.

"If only we could enter," said Gretel, her voice full of longing. Hans nodded, deep in thought. "Perhaps we can, Gretel. If we work hard and prepare, maybe, just maybe, one of us could win."

Later when Hans saw his mother’s growing exhaustion, he decided he had to do something for his family. His father’s condition had left them poor, but Hans’s heart was rich with determination. After hearing of a famous doctor named Dr. Boekman, Hans made the bold choice to visit him. Dr. Boekman was a man of great learning but also great sorrow. Since losing his own son, he had grown cold and distant. Hans approached him with humility and courage, pleading for help.

“Please, sir,” Hans said, “my father’s life could be restored if someone as wise as you would only examine him.”

Dr. Boekman’s heart, though hardened, softened just a little at the sight of the boy’s courage. He agreed to see Raff Brinker, though he warned Hans not to hope too much.

Snow blanketed the village as Christmas drew near. The air smelled of roasted nuts and fresh bread, and the villagers bustled to prepare for the most wonderful day of the year. For Hans and Gretel, however, Christmas was more than just a time for feasts and fun. It was a chance for kindness and love to shine the brightest. Hans, knowing how much Gretel longed for new skates, decided to make a sacrifice. He took the little money he had saved from odd jobs and bought a pair of skates for Gretel. They weren’t silver, but they were sturdy, smooth, and much better than the old wooden ones. When he presented them to Gretel, her eyes filled with tears.

“Hans, they’re beautiful!” she gasped, hugging him tightly. “But what about you?”

 Hans smiled. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll still race. I’m fast on my old skates, and that’s all that matters.” The spirit of giving was alive in their little home, even if their table wasn’t filled with grand feasts. Their home was filled with warmth and love, which was their greatest treasure.

At last, the day of the grand skating race arrived. The ice glistened in the morning sun, and children from all over the village lined up to race. Hans and Gretel stood among them, hearts pounding with excitement. Their eyes stayed on the prize — the silver skates — gleaming like stars at the finish line.

Boys and girls crouched at the starting line, their breath visible in the cold air. The race official raised his arm, and with a loud shout, they were off! Like arrows from a bow, the children shot forward. Gretel’s new skates gave her speed she had never known before. She flew over the ice like a bird, her cheeks red with joy. Hans, with his old, homemade skates, had to work harder. His legs burned, but his will was unshaken.

 Gretel stayed at the front of the pack with the fastest skaters in the race. Hans’s heart swelled with pride as he saw his sister push herself beyond her limits. The crowd’s cheers grew louder with every lap. With one final burst of energy, Gretel surged forward, crossing the finish line first. The village erupted with cheers as the judge declared her the winner. She had won the silver skates!

Tears streamed down Gretel’s face as the skates were placed in her hands. She looked at Hans, her heart full of love. “These belong to you, Hans,” she said, holding them out to him. Hans shook his head, smiling through his exhaustion. “No, Gretel. You won them fair and square. They’re yours.”

After the race, Dr. Boekman arrived at the Brinker’s home, just as he had promised. He examined Raff Brinker with the precision of a master. Days later, he returned to perform a delicate operation that could restore Raff’s mind.

For days, the family waited, their hearts filled with hope and fear. On Christmas morning, as the first light of dawn touched the snowy rooftops, Raff Brinker’s eyes opened. He blinked slowly, his gaze clear for the first time in years.

“Dame,” he said, his voice stronger than it had been in a long time. “Is that you?”

Dame Brinker fell to her knees, weeping with joy. “Yes, Raff! It’s me. It’s me!”

 Hans and Gretel rushed to their father’s side, wrapping their arms around him. Their father’s memories had returned, and with them, his strength and wisdom. The Brinker family, once weighed down by sorrow, was now lifted by love, hope, and the kindness of those who had helped them. Dr. Boekman, too, was changed. Witnessing the joy of the Brinker family reminded him of the love he had once shared with his own son. His heart, once cold as winter’s frost, began to thaw.

The weeks after Christmas were filled with new beginnings for the Brinker family. Raff Brinker’s health improved every day, and soon he was able to work again. Dr. Boekman, touched by the Brinkers’ courage, helped them further by securing work for Raff and making sure Hans received an education. As for Hans, his courage, selflessness, and love for his family did not go unnoticed. His story spread through the village, and many saw him as a model of kindness and perseverance. Gretel cherished her silver skates, but she never forgot that her greatest treasure was the love of her family. Sometimes, she’d even let Hans borrow them, laughing as they raced side by side along the ice.

Original Source: Dodge, Mary Mapes. “Hans Brinker; Or, the Silver Skates.” Gutenberg.org, 2021, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/764/pg764-images.html#link2H_4_0020. Accessed 8 Sept. 2024.