COUNTRYSIDE, ENCHANTED FOREST — In a series of events that has left locals baffled, a freshly baked gingerbread man sparked a frantic chase across the countryside earlier today, narrowly escaping capture by several individuals and animals.

The incident began in the kitchen of an elderly couple who reside on the outskirts of the Enchanted Forest. According to Mrs. Baker, she had just finished baking the gingerbread man when, to her astonishment, the confectionary creation leaped from the tray and dashed out of the house. “I was just taking him out of the oven when he jumped up and started running,” said Mrs. Baker. “Before I could grab him, he was out the door shouting, ‘Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!’”

The runaway cookie quickly gained attention, attracting a growing crowd of pursuers. Witnesses confirmed that both Mr. Baker and their farm animals joined the pursuit. “He sped past me like a gust of wind,” said Mr. Baker. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

As the Gingerbread Man raced down the road, he taunted each of his would-be captors, including a cow, a horse, and a flock of geese. Eyewitnesses claim that despite their best efforts, none were able to match the gingerbread man’s impressive speed. “He just kept laughing and shouting, ‘You can’t catch me!’” said a local farmer, whose cow was among those left behind in the dust.

The chase escalated when a sly fox reportedly entered the scene. Authorities say the fox approached the gingerbread man in a calm and collected manner, offering assistance in crossing a nearby river. “It was the only way to continue his escape,” said the fox in a later statement. “I offered to help, and he hopped on my back.”

However, in a shocking twist, the fox is said to have outsmarted the gingerbread man mid-crossing. Sources indicate that, as the water grew deeper, the gingerbread man was forced to climb higher onto the fox’s back, eventually settling on his nose. At this point, the fox reportedly flipped his head, catching the gingerbread man in his mouth. “It happened so fast,” said an onlooker. “One moment he was shouting, the next — gone.”

Investigators have yet to confirm whether the gingerbread man was eaten or if he remains at large. The fox has not been charged with any wrongdoing at this time, claiming his actions were driven by hunger.

“We’re just glad the chase is over,” said a village official. “It caused quite a scene.”

Despite the dramatic conclusion, locals continue to debate whether the gingerbread man was truly alive or simply a case of overactive imaginations and a runaway pastry. The Bakers, however, say they’ve learned their lesson. “Next time,” said Mrs. Baker, “we’re sticking to simpler recipes.”