Story Telling: Snow-White and Rose-Red

Some may not know, but Snow-White actually had a beautiful twin sister. Don’t ask them if they’re identical though, because they are completely opposite. Snow-White was pale as can be with hair darker than the midnight sky. Her sister, named Rose-Red, was naturally tan with bright blonde hair. Her name is Rose-Red because of her cherry colored lips. Snow-White represented everything in the fall and winter, Rose-Red represented everything in the spring and summer.

Although the two girls were very different, they were inseparable. They lived with their mother, and the three of them welcomed everyone into their home with open arms. Every morning in the spring and summer, the mother would wake up to a fresh bouquet of flowers sitting on their kitchen table. Rose-Red would wake up early in the morning and go find the prettiest flowers in the forest next to their house. In the warmer months, the three ladies would clean, paint and restore their home. They helped neighbors with household chores and knew everyone in the town.

During the winter months, Snow-White would help her mother bring meals to the neighbors. They would bake and cook, and then share it with the entire town. At the end of the day, she would light a fire in the fireplace, and their mother would read the two girls a story. Normally they would read long chapter books that would end on a cliffhanger. Snow-White owned a lamb that stayed in the house during the winter months. Once the fire was going and the family was all inside, the lamb would cuddle up to Snow-White to listen to the story. Rose-Red owned a small bird who also stayed inside during the colder months.

On one particular night, the family was reading a story when someone loudly knocked on the door. The whole house rattled and boomed, so the girls were frightened. Rose-Red and Snow-White hid behind their mother, who called out, “Who is there?”

A voice shouted back, “Please let me in! I am freezing from this horrible winter. I won’t make it through the night out here!”

The mother quickly opened the door. When she opened it, she let out a small gasp. A seven-foot tall bear was standing in front of her. This bear was different than others though, he could speak.

“I swear I would not be bothering you if it wasn’t absolutely necessary. I am very nice and just trying to get out of the cold!”

The mother invited him in so fast that all of the snow fell off of his fur.

“Please,” the mother said, “sit by the fire to warm up.”

The bear agreed and the mother started reading her story out loud again. He stayed with them throughout the entire winter. Snow-White and the bear had grown especially close during this time. Soon enough, winter was over and the sun was shining again.  The bear and Snow-White were about to head out to go for a walk, but when the opened the door, all of the plants were back to green.

“Oh no. It is time for me to go,” explained the bear.

“Why? You can stay with us. We love having you here,” Snow-White countered back.

“You don’t understand. I must go. I’ll be back in the winter, I promise.”

Snow-White sadly watched as the bear walked away. She went back into the house and told her sister and mother what had happened. None of them knew why he had to leave, but they were excited for winter to come again so he could return.

One day, Snow-White and Rose-Red were walking to town to get something for their mother. “HELP!” they heard a loud scream in the distance. The girls both looked at each other, knowing they had to go help the person. When they found who was screaming, they saw their bear friend.

“Bear, what are you doing?” questioned Snow-White.

“Please look away, I will explain in a minute.” Bear answered.

The girls turned around and walked a few steps back. After a painful five minutes, a boy their age appeared. His voice sounded just like the bears. “Hi, sorry about that.”

The girls were confused.

“Do we know you?” asked Rose-Red.

The boy explained that his name actually was Bear, and that the man who was just screaming was an evil dwarf who had casted a spell on him. The only way the spell would be broken is if the dwarf was killed. The girls were shocked and cold towards Bear, but they soon learned about how rude the dwarf was. He had caused havoc all over the town, turning various people into animals in the forest.

Many years later, Snow-White and Bear married. Rose-Red was introduced to his brother, who she married. The mother watched as her daughters grew into wonderful mothers and wives, teaching everyone around them to treat everyone with kindness.

Image: Forest from Wikimedia Commons. 

Bibliography: Household Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm, link to online reading.