Snow White

Once there was a little princess whose skin was white as snow, whose lips were red as roses, and whose hair was black as ebony. She was called Snow White. Her beauty was quiet and gentle, for it lived not only in her face but also in her manner of speaking softly and helping where she could. Yet the queen, her stepmother, had a magic mirror and asked it each day who was fairest in the land. When the mirror named Snow White, envy entered the queen’s heart like a cold wind.

Snow White was forced to flee from the castle into the forest. Branches caught at her dress, shadows moved between the trees, and every cry of a bird startled her. At last, weary and frightened, she came upon a little house. Inside were seven small chairs, seven little bowls, and seven neat beds. She set the room in order as best she could, and then, overcome with tiredness, lay down and slept.

When the seven dwarfs returned from their work, they were astonished to find her. After hearing her story, they let her stay. Snow White kept the house, cooked simple meals, and cared for the flowers at the window, while the dwarfs warned her not to open the door to strangers.

But the queen would not let envy rest. In disguise she came with dangerous gifts, and at last with a shining poisoned apple. Snow White took one bite and fell into a deep sleep. The dwarfs mourned her and watched over her until, in time, a prince came by and she awoke.

Snow White saw then what no mirror could teach. The queen’s envy had made her lonely, but Snow White’s kindness had made a poor forest cottage into a home filled with care.