The retelling of the short story builds on the idea that Ichabod Crane is not the warty old toad that the characters had imagined. Instead, it presents him as a young and attractive man, with descriptions emphasizing his appealing features—such as his dark hair, angelic face, dimpled smile, and striking green eyes. This portrayal challenges the original notion of Crane's appearance by suggesting that he is indeed attractive and charming, making a notable departure from the traditional depiction of him as an unattractive character.
So, the correct answer to how this retelling challenges the idea of Crane's appearance is: it suggests Crane was young and attractive.