Snow White

Long ago, in a kingdom ringed by mountains, a princess was born during the winter snow. Her hair was dark as the forest, and her skin glowed softly in the pale light. She was named Snow White.

As Snow White grew, she became known for her cheerful spirit. She listened carefully when others spoke, remembered the names of the gardeners, and always thanked the people who cared for the castle. But her stepmother, the queen, cared above all else about being admired.

The queen owned an enchanted mirror. Each morning she asked, 'Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?' For years the mirror named the queen.

One morning, though, it answered, 'Snow White.' The queen's jealousy grew so strong that Snow White no longer felt safe in the palace. Snow White fled through the forest, past mossy stones and sparkling streams, until she came to a tiny cottage.

Inside stood seven little chairs, seven little beds, and a table set for seven. Everything was small, neat, and rather dusty. Snow White swept the floor and rested while she waited to meet the owners.

At sunset seven miners returned from working in the hills. They were surprised to see a visitor in their cottage. Snow White explained her trouble, and they invited her to stay.

She helped cook and tend the garden, while they showed her the paths through the woods. Before leaving for work each day, they reminded her to be careful with unexpected visitors. For a while, life was peaceful.

Snow White learned the miners' favourite songs and listened to their tales of glittering stones buried beneath the earth. The queen, however, asked her mirror the same question and learned that Snow White was still alive. Disguised as an old apple seller, the queen walked to the cottage carrying a beautiful red apple.

Snow White spoke to her through the doorway. The visitor looked harmless, and the fruit smelled sweet. Forgetting the miners' advice, Snow White accepted a slice.

The apple had been enchanted. After one bite, Snow White fell into a deep, mysterious sleep. The queen hurried away, certain that no one would ever challenge her pride again.

When the miners came home, they found Snow White lying still. They searched for a remedy, but nothing woke her. They placed her gently on a bed of flowers and stayed beside her, hoping that the spell would one day lift.

Some time later, a travelling prince who had heard of Snow White's kindness stopped at the cottage. As the miners carefully moved her resting place to the sunlight, a small piece of enchanted apple came free. Snow White coughed, opened her eyes, and sat up in wonder.

The miners cheered so loudly that birds flew out of the trees. The prince offered to help Snow White return to a safe home. With her friends beside her, she faced the queen's wrongdoing and chose a future beyond the palace's jealous walls.

Snow White never forgot the cottage or the seven friends who had cared for her. Whenever she returned to the mountains, she brought fresh bread, new books, and seeds for the garden. She had learned that beauty is not a prize to be won.

The loveliest things are kindness, courage, and friendship freely given.