Snow-White and Rose-Red

There was a poor widow who had two daughters, one named Snow-White and the other named Rose-Red.

Both were very beautiful and kind-hearted.

The only difference was that Snow-White was quieter and gentler, while Rose-Red was more lively and energetic.

Despite their poverty, the three of them lived happily because they loved each other dearly.

One day, Snow-White and Rose-Red got lost in the forest.

After spending a fearful night in the woods, they woke up at dawn to find a handsome young man standing before them.

He appeared very kind, and upon seeing them wake, he left.

Only then did they realize they had slept right on the edge of a cliff. One more step, and they would have fallen.

When they returned home, their mother, who had been worried all night, was greatly relieved to see her daughters back.

The sisters told their mother about how they almost fell off the cliff and their encounter with the young man.

Their mother said he must have been an angel watching over them.

Winter arrived, and one snowy evening, the three of them sat comfortably by the fire, chatting while warming themselves.

Suddenly, they heard a knock at the door.

The mother said, “It must be a traveler in need of help in this heavy snow. Go and open the door.”

So, Rose-Red ran to open the door.

When she did, she screamed in fear. Standing before her wasn’t a person, but a bear!

Both the mother and Snow-White trembled with fear.

The bear then spoke, “Don’t be afraid, I won’t hurt you. It’s snowing heavily outside, and I’m freezing. I knocked to see if you would let me in to warm up.”

The mother said, “Poor bear, come over to the fireplace, but be careful not to let your fur catch fire.”

The bear obediently went over and lay down by the fire.

Seeing the snow covering the bear’s thick fur, Snow-White and Rose-Red fetched a broom to brush the snow off him.

After a while, they became familiar with the bear. They tugged at its fur, sat on its back, or rolled it around like a ball.

The bear played gently with them.

Every night thereafter, the bear would come, and they happily spent the entire winter together.

When spring arrived, the bear bid farewell to the mother and her daughters, saying, “I must go to guard my treasure, as the evil dwarf will soon awaken from his winter slumber and try to steal it.”

One day, Snow-White and Rose-Red were on their way to town to buy some things when they witnessed a startling scene: an eagle swooped down from the sky and grabbed a dwarf.

The two sisters, disregarding the danger, managed to rescue the dwarf from the eagle’s clutches.

However, instead of thanking them, the dwarf glared at them and said, “You fools, you’ve torn my clothes!”

He then slung a bag full of jewels over his back and left.

After that, the sisters encountered the dwarf several more times, and each time he was in trouble. Despite his ingratitude, the sisters always helped him without hesitation.

Strangely, the dwarf was always carrying a sack full of gold and jewels.

One day, they realized that the gold and jewels were stolen.

Snow-White said, “There is a bear who is our good friend. He told us that a dwarf stole his treasure. It seems that you are the thief.”

The dwarf snarled, “Now that you know, I won’t let you get away with it!”

He drew a knife, ready to harm Snow-White and Rose-Red, but suddenly he felt a hard slap from behind. The dwarf fell to the ground.

When the sisters turned around, they saw that it was their old friend, the bear.

 At that moment, the bear shed his fur, revealing a handsome young man—the very same one they had met by the cliff.

Snow-White and Rose-Red were astonished.

The young man explained, “I was once a prince. The dwarf cursed me and turned me into a bear to steal my treasure. I had been waiting for a chance to defeat him. Only by his death could the curse be lifted. When I saw him about to harm you, I was filled with strength and courage, and I finally defeated him, saving you and breaking the curse.”

Later, Snow-White married the prince, and Rose-Red married his brother. They lived happily together with their mother for the rest of their lives.