Black as Night: A Fairy Tale Retold (51 page)

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Authors: Regina Doman

BOOK: Black as Night: A Fairy Tale Retold
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8. The hunter led the girl into the darkness of the forest, but he could not bear to kill her. So he said, “Run away, child, and hide,” thinking the wild beasts would devour her.

9. Thinking Snow White was gone forever, the queen questioned her mirror again.

10. When the queen heard Snow White still lived, she bit her lip until the blood ran down.

11. 'Good things, pretty things for sale,' the old woman coaxed, and Snow White thought, 'Surely there is no harm in this old peddler woman.' And she bought the bright silk.

12. The little men cut the ribbon, and by and by the girl began to breathe again.

13. The little men warned the girl, 'The queen will surely learn you are still alive. Be on your guard and let no one in if we are not here with you.'

14. When the queen realized she had failed to do away with Snow White once more, her heart pounded in fear and anger.

15. And Snow White saw no harm in the old woman, and let her in. The old woman said, 'What a fright you are! Let me help you comb your hair properly—for once.'

16. Once again, the little men revived Snow White, and warned her again to be careful of the queen, who would surely return.

17. Again the queen looked in her mirror, and said, 'Who is the fairest in the land?' But it answered as before.

18. 'Snow White shall die!' cried the queen, 'even if it should cost me my life!'

19. Then the queen went into a secret room, and with her craft created a poisonous apple.

20. The apple was white and red, so enticing that whoever looked at it yearned for it.

21. Snow White longed for the apple, and soon she could not resist.

22. No sooner had Snow White eaten the apple then she fell down, still as death.

23. When the little men found Snow White lying as if dead, they called her name, combed her hair, washed her with water and wine, to no avail. She would not wake.

24. Snow White lay, still as death, and nothing could be done for her.

25. But she was still black as night and white as snow, and she lay in her bed, her cheeks as red as they had been in life, though she did not move or stir.

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