The Story of Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and gretel find their way back to the father's house. The mother is referred to as a wife, a woman, a mother and a stepmother throughout the whole story according to the intonate. Not that all stepmothers are wicked, of course, but when it comes to fairy tales, you've got to admit there is somewhat of an ongoing associated with them, isn't there? But the father was overjoyed when he saw his children once more, for he had not wanted to leave them alone.