This is a nursery rhyme that comes from the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" It's recited in the story by the witch when the children are eating her gingerbread house.

Of course, this rhyme is quoted in December in Germany when people are making their gingerbread houses!

Knusper, knusper, knäuschen - German Children's Songs - Germany - Mama Lisa's World: Children's Songs and Rhymes from Around the World - Intro Image

Notes

Christina wrote, "This is the text of the story of Hansel and Gretel which seems to have inspired the creation of the gingerbread house (which is also called Hexenhaus)." 'Hexenhaus" means "witch house".

Game Instructions

This is a tickling game to play with little children: Slowly move your hand up the child's neck and chin, tickling while reciting the rhyme.

Comments

You can read more about the connection between Hansel and Gretel and Gingerbread Houses on Mama Lisa's World Blog.

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Translated by Mama Lisa. Thanks to Christina Weising for her commentary.

Illustration: Reading-Literature, Book 2 by Thomas Henry Briggs, Henry William Shryock (graphically edited by Mama Lisa).