“THERE was once a poor widow who lived in a lonely cottage. In front of the cottage was a garden wherein stood two rose-trees, one of which bore white and the other red roses. She had two children who were like the two rose-trees, and one was called Snow-white and the other Rose-red. They were as good and happy, as busy and cheerful, as ever two children in the world were, only Snow-white was more quiet and gentle than Rose-red. Rose-red liked better to run about in the meadows and fields seeking flowers and catching butterflies; but Snow-white sat at home with her mother, and helped her with her house-work, or read to her when there was nothing to do.”
So begins the tale of Snow White and Rose Red, a story about being kind to all beings - animals, dwarfs, people, and even your little sister. The story, recorded by the brothers Grimm from an old German folktale, tells of two young sisters who encounter talking bears and grumpy dwarfs. It teaches us to be patient, to be kind even to those who are ungrateful, and to appreciate the efforts of others. Moreover, the story is beautifully written, and weaves a tale of enchantment, conjuring up images of small cottages, copper kettles, spinning wheels, and friendly woodland animals.
“They often ran about the forest alone and gathered red berries, and no beasts did them any harm, but came close to them trustfully. The little hare would eat a cabbage-leaf out of their hands, the roe grazed by their side, the stag leapt merrily by them, and the birds sat still upon the boughs, and sang whatever they knew.”
