Snow White and Rose Red

A poor widow lives in a cottage with her two daughters, Snow White and Rose Red, named for the colors of the roses in her garden. The girls are devoted to each other and to their mother, living simply but contentedly. One winter evening, a large brown bear seeks shelter from the cold. The girls, showing kindness to the creature, allow him to warm himself by their fire. Each night, the bear returns, and the girls come to love him. Their mother, fearing danger, cautions them, but the bear proves gentle and loyal. When spring arrives, the bear reluctantly departs, explaining he must guard his treasure from a wicked dwarf. In the forest, the girls encounter the dwarf repeatedly: caught under a rock, trapped by his beard in a tree, and nearly drowning in a stream. Each time, the girls rescue him with patience and friendliness, though the dwarf remains ungrateful and rude. At last, they discover the dwarf has been guarding the bear's treasure. The girls strike the dwarf down in righteous anger. The bear, his curse broken, transforms into a handsome prince. He reveals a wicked sorcerer had enchanted him, and only the kindness of gentle maidens could break the spell. The prince marries Snow White, his brother marries Rose Red, and their mother lives with them in the prince's castle. The girls' friendliness—their willingness to show kindness even to those who were ungrateful—proved redemptive. Their warm hearts transformed both the bear and the forest.