Part 4: The Apple and Old woman

The next morning before they left for work, the Seven Dwarfs warned Snow White that she must not open the door to anyone.  After all, who knows what evil her Stepmother might do?  The Princess nodded, and the Dwarfs left the house.  The Princess prepared her first reading lesson. She also prepared a good hot meal for the Seven Dwarfs for when they returned home later that night.  And so the day passed.

Back at the castle, the Queen marched up to her Magic Mirror.  “Mirror, mirror on the wall,” she demanded.  “Who is the fairest of them all?”

“Snow White is the fairest of them all!” said the Magic Mirror.

“That is impossible!” screamed the Queen.  “The girl is no longer alive!”

“Snow White lives!” said the Magic Mirror.  An image on the mirror showed Snow White living in the cottage of the Seven Dwarfs.

Rage filled the Queen’s body.  She screamed, “Snow White will not get away with this!”

At the cottage of the Dwarfs the next afternoon, when the Seven Dwarfs were away at work, there was a knock on the door.

“Who is it?” said Snow White.  She remembered the warning of the Seven Dwarfs not to open the door to anyone.

“It’s only a poor old woman,” came a squeaky voice, “selling apples.” Yet in fact, it was the evil Queen disguised as an old woman.  “It’s raining outside, dearie,” said her voice through the door.  “Please let me in.”

“Poor thing,” thought Snow White, “having to go door to door selling apples in the rain.”  She opened the door.  “That’s odd,” she said, looking around, “no rain.”

“Just stopped,” said the old woman, who as you know was really the Queen in disguise. “Take a look at this big red apple.” She put the apple in front of Snow White’s face.  “Lovely, my dear, isn’t it?  For only a few coins, it is yours.”

“I would like very much to buy your apple,” said Snow White. “But I have no money.”

“That fine comb in your hair will make a good trade,” said the old woman.

“All right then!” said Snow White.  She gave her comb to the old woman, and took the apple in return.  Snow White took a big bite but alas! the fruit was poisoned.  At once, Snow White swooned to the ground where she fell into a very deep sleep.

“She is down!” shouted the Queen, pumping the air with her fists.

Just then the door flew open.  In marched the Seven Dwarfs, home from the day’s work.  Shocked indeed they were to find Snow White lying on the floor and what must be her Stepmother beside her, laughing with all her might!

(tobe continue….)