Snow-White and Rose-Red - Fairy Tale by the Brothers Grimm

Reading time for children: 18 min

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.

Image: Oskar Herrfurth (1862-1934)

The two children were so fond of each another that they always held each other by the hand when they went out together, and when Snow-white said, „We will not leave each other,“ Rose-red answered, „Never so long as we live,“ and their mother would add, „What one has she must share with the other.“

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.

No mishap overtook them. If they had stayed too late in the forest, and night came on, they laid themselves down near one another upon the moss, and slept until morning came, and their mother knew this and had no distress on their account.

Once when they had spent the night in the wood and the dawn had roused them, they saw a beautiful child in a shining white dress sitting near their bed.

Image: Paul Hey (1867 – 1952)

He got up and looked quite kindly at them, but said nothing and went away into the forest. And when they looked round they found that they had been sleeping quite close to a precipice, and would certainly have fallen into it in the darkness if they had gone only a few paces further. And their mother told them that it must have been the angel who watches over good children.

Snow-white and Rose-red kept their mother’s little cottage so neat that it was a pleasure to look inside it. In the summer Rose-red took care of the house, and every morning laid a wreath of flowers by her mother’s bed before she awoke, in which was a rose from each tree. In the winter Snow-white lit the fire and hung the kettle on the wrekin. The kettle was of copper and shone like gold, so brightly was it polished. In the evening, when the snowflakes fell, the mother said, „Go, Snow-white, and bolt the door,“ and then they sat round the hearth, and the mother took her spectacles and read aloud out of a large book, and the two girls listened as they sat and span. And close by them lay a lamb upon the floor, and behind them upon a perch sat a white dove with its head hidden beneath its wings.

One evening, as they were thus sitting comfortably together, some one knocked at the door as if he wished to be let in. The mother said, „Quick, Rose-red, open the door, it must be a traveller who is seeking shelter.“ Rose-red went and pushed back the bolt, thinking that it was a poor man, but it was not. It was a bear that stretched his broad, black head within the door.

Rose-red screamed and sprang back, the lamb bleated, the dove fluttered, and Snow-white hid herself behind her mother’s bed. But the bear began to speak and said, „Do not be afraid, I will do you no harm! I am half-frozen, and only want to warm myself a little beside you.“

„Poor bear,“ said the mother, „lie down by the fire, only take care that you do not burn your coat.“ Then she cried, „Snow-white, Rose-red, come out, the bear will do you no harm, he means well.“

Image: Oskar Herrfurth (1862-1934)

So they both came out, and by-and-by the lamb and dove came nearer, and were not afraid of him. The bear said, „Here, children, knock the snow out of my coat a little;“ so they brought the broom and swept the bear’s hide clean; and he stretched himself by the fire and growled contentedly and comfortably. It was not long before they grew quite at home, and played tricks with their clumsy guest. They tugged his hair with their hands, put their feet upon his back and rolled him about, or they took a hazel-switch and beat him, and when he growled they laughed. But the bear took it all in good part, only when they were too rough he called out, „Leave me alive, children,

„Snowy-white, Rosy-red,
Will you beat your lover dead?“
When it was bed-time, and the others went to bed, the mother said to the bear, „You can lie there by the hearth, and then you will be safe from the cold and the bad weather.“ As soon as day dawned the two children let him out, and he trotted across the snow into the forest.
Henceforth the bear came every evening at the same time, laid himself down by the hearth, and let the children amuse themselves with him as much as they liked; and they got so used to him that the doors were never fastened until their black friend had arrived.

When spring had come and all outside was green, the bear said one morning to Snow-white, „Now I must go away, and cannot come back for the whole summer.“ – „Where are you going, then, dear bear?“ asked Snow-white. „I must go into the forest and guard my treasures from the wicked dwarfs. In the winter, when the earth is frozen hard, they are obliged to stay below and cannot work their way through; but now, when the sun has thawed and warmed the earth, they break through it, and come out to pry and steal; and what once gets into their hands, and in their caves, does not easily see daylight again.“

Snow-white was quite sorry for his going away, and as she unbolted the door for him, and the bear was hurrying out, he caught against the bolt and a piece of his hairy coat was torn off, and it seemed to Snow-white as if she had seen gold shining through it, but she was not sure about it. The bear ran away quickly, and was soon out of sight behind the trees.

A short time afterwards the mother sent her children into the forest to get fire-wood. There they found a big tree which lay felled on the ground, and close by the trunk something was jumping backwards and forwards in the grass, but they could not make out what it was. When they came nearer they saw a dwarf with an old withered face and a snow-white beard a yard long. The end of the beard was caught in a crevice of the tree, and the little fellow was jumping backwards and forwards like a dog tied to a rope, and did not know what to do.

He glared at the girls with his fiery red eyes and cried, „Why do you stand there? Can you not come here and help me?“ – „What are you about there, little man?“ asked Rose-red. „You stupid, prying goose!“ answered the dwarf; „I was going to split the tree to get a little wood for cooking. The little bit of food that one of us wants gets burnt up directly with thick logs. We do not swallow so much as you coarse, greedy folk.

Image: Oskar Herrfurth (1862-1934)

I had just driven the wedge safely in, and everything was going as I wished; but the wretched wood was too smooth and suddenly sprang asunder, and the tree closed so quickly that I could not pull out my beautiful white beard. So now it is tight in and I cannot get away, and the silly, sleek, milk-faced things laugh! Ugh! how odious you are!“

The children tried very hard, but they could not pull the beard out, it was caught too fast. „I will run and fetch some one,“ said Rose-red. „You senseless goose!“ snarled the dwarf; why should you fetch some one? You are already two too many for me; can you not think of something better?“ – „Don’t be impatient,“ said Snow-white, „I will help you,“ and she pulled her scissors out of her pocket, and cut off the end of the beard.

As soon as the dwarf felt himself free he laid hold of a bag which lay amongst the roots of the tree, and which was full of gold, and lifted it up, grumbling to himself, „Uncouth people, to cut off a piece of my fine beard. Bad luck to you!“ and then he swung the bag upon his back, and went off without even once looking at the children.

Some time after that Snow-white and Rose-red went to catch a dish of fish. As they came near the brook they saw something like a large grasshopper jumping towards the water, as if it were going to leap in. They ran to it and found it was the dwarf. „Where are you going?“ said Rose-red; „you surely don’t want to go into the water?“ – „I am not such a fool!“ cried the dwarf; don’t you see that the accursed fish wants to pull me in?“ The little man had been sitting there fishing, and unluckily the wind had twisted his beard with the fishing-line; just then a big fish bit, and the feeble creature had not strength to pull it out. The fish kept the upper hand and pulled the dwarf towards him. He held on to all the reeds and rushes, but it was of little good, he was forced to follow the movements of the fish, and was in urgent danger of being dragged into the water.

The girls came just in time. They held him fast and tried to free his beard from the line, but all in vain, beard and line were entangled fast together. Nothing was left but to bring out the scissors and cut the beard, whereby a small part of it was lost. When the dwarf saw that he screamed out, „Is that civil, you toad-stool, to disfigure one’s face? Was it not enough to clip off the end of my beard? Now you have cut off the best part of it. I cannot let myself be seen by my people. I wish you had been made to run the soles off your shoes!“ Then he took out a sack of pearls which lay in the rushes, and without saying a word more he dragged it away and disappeared behind a stone.

It happened that soon afterwards the mother sent the two children to the town to buy needles and thread, and laces and ribbons. The road led them across a heath upon which huge pieces of rock lay strewn here and there. Now they noticed a large bird hovering in the air, flying slowly round and round above them. It sank lower and lower, and at last settled near a rock not far off. Directly afterwards they heard a loud, piteous cry. They ran up and saw with horror that the eagle had seized their old acquaintance the dwarf, and was going to carry him off.

The children, full of pity, at once took tight hold of the little man, and pulled against the eagle so long that at last he let his booty go. As soon as the dwarf had recovered from his first fright he cried with his shrill voice, „Could you not have done it more carefully! You dragged at my brown coat so that it is all torn and full of holes, you helpless clumsy creatures!“ Then he took up a sack full of precious stones, and slipped away again under the rock into his hole. The girls, who by this time were used to his thanklessness, went on their way and did their business in the town.

As they crossed the heath again on their way home they surprised the dwarf, who had emptied out his bag of precious stones in a clean spot, and had not thought that anyone would come there so late. The evening sun shone upon the brilliant stones. They glittered and sparkled with all colors so beautifully that the children stood still and looked at them. „Why do you stand gaping there?“ cried the dwarf, and his ashen-gray face became copper-red with rage.

Image: Oskar Herrfurth (1862-1934)

He was going on with his bad words when a loud growling was heard, and a black bear came trotting towards them out of the forest. The dwarf sprang up in a fright, but he could not get to his cave, for the bear was already close. Then in the dread of his heart he cried, „Dear Mr. Bear, spare me, I will give you all my treasures; look, the beautiful jewels lying there! Grant me my life. What do you want with such a slender little fellow as I? you would not feel me between your teeth. Come, take these two wicked girls, they are tender morsels for you, fat as young quails. For mercy’s sake eat them!“ The bear took no heed of his words, but gave the wicked creature a single blow with his paw, and he did not move again.

The girls had run away, but the bear called to them, „Snow-white and Rose-red, do not be afraid; wait, I will come with you.“ Then they knew his voice and waited, and when he came up to them suddenly his bearskin fell off, and he stood there, a handsome man, clothed all in gold. „I am a King’s son,“ he said, „and I was bewitched by that wicked dwarf, who had stolen my treasures. I have had to run about the forest as a savage bear until I was freed by his death. Now he has got his well-deserved punishment.“

Snow-white was married to him, and Rose-red to his brother, and they divided between them the great treasure which the dwarf had gathered together in his cave. The old mother lived peacefully and happily with her children for many years. She took the two rose-trees with her, and they stood before her window, and every year bore the most beautiful roses, white and red.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ (also known as „Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot“ in German) is a fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm in their famous anthology „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales.“ The story, first published in the 1812 edition of their collection, tells the tale of two kind-hearted sisters, Snow-White and Rose-Red, who live in a small cottage in the woods with their mother.

Unlike „Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,“ this story features two protagonists and a different plot. The sisters are named after the colors of the rose bushes that grow outside their cottage. Snow-White is gentle and quiet, while Rose-Red is lively and spirited. The sisters share a strong bond and often play together in the woods.

One winter evening, a bear knocks on their door seeking shelter from the cold. The girls and their mother allow the bear to stay, and the bear becomes a friend to the family. Snow-White and Rose-Red play with the bear throughout the winter months, and when spring arrives, the bear leaves, promising to return.

Later, the sisters encounter a wicked dwarf who constantly finds himself in dangerous situations. Each time, the girls save him, but the ungrateful dwarf scolds them. In their final encounter with the dwarf, the bear appears and kills the dwarf, breaking a curse that had transformed the bear into its current form. The bear turns into a prince, who had been cursed by the dwarf long ago. Snow-White marries the prince, and Rose-Red marries the prince’s brother, and they all live happily ever after.

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ is believed to have roots in European folklore, and the Brothers Grimm collected the story from various oral and written sources. The tale is rich in themes such as kindness, familial love, gratitude, and the consequences of one’s actions. Over the years, it has been retold and adapted in various forms, enchanting generations of readers and listeners.

Interpretations to fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ is a fairy tale with various themes and interpretations. Here are some key perspectives:

Kindness and compassion: One of the central themes in the story is the importance of kindness and compassion. Snow-White and Rose-Red’s willingness to help both the bear and the dwarf, despite their appearances, demonstrates the power of kindness in shaping relationships and outcomes.

Familial love: The story emphasizes the strong bond between Snow-White and Rose-Red, as well as their mother. Their love for one another and their ability to work together to overcome challenges showcases the importance of family ties and support.

Inner beauty and appearances: The tale challenges the idea of judging others based on their outward appearances. The bear, though initially intimidating, turns out to be a gentle and loyal friend. Conversely, the dwarf, though small and seemingly helpless, is revealed to be wicked and ungrateful.

Consequences of one’s actions: The story also highlights the consequences of one’s actions. The dwarf’s wickedness and ungratefulness ultimately lead to his demise, while the kindness and compassion of Snow-White and Rose-Red are rewarded with happiness and love.

The transformative power of love: The love and kindness shown by Snow-White and Rose-Red not only transform their lives but also have a profound impact on the bear, who is ultimately freed from his curse. This theme reinforces the power of love to heal and transform lives.

The balance of opposites: Snow-White and Rose-Red, though different in temperament, complement each other and create a sense of harmony. This balance of opposites can be seen as a metaphor for the importance of finding balance in one’s life and relationships.

In summary, „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ offers multiple interpretations and themes, making it a rich and engaging fairy tale. The story explores the importance of kindness, familial love, inner beauty, consequences of actions, the transformative power of love, and the balance of opposites, offering valuable lessons for readers of all ages.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ has inspired numerous adaptations over the years, capturing the imagination of readers and audiences through various forms of media. Here are some specific examples:

Literature: The story has been retold and adapted in numerous anthologies, children’s books, and fairy tale collections. These adaptations often feature modern language, illustrations, or variations in the plot to make the story more appealing to contemporary readers.

Animation: „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ has been adapted into animated films and television episodes. For example, it was featured as an episode in the animated series „Grimm’s Fairy Tale Classics“ (1987-1989) and in the 1991 German animated film „Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot“ by filmmaker Lotte Reiniger.

Theater: The fairy tale has been adapted into stage plays and musicals, often as part of larger productions featuring multiple Grimm fairy tales. For example, „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ was included in the stage production „Grimm!“ by the Youth Music Theater UK in 2016.

Audiobooks: Audiobook adaptations of „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ can be found as standalone recordings or as part of larger Grimm fairy tale collections. These adaptations bring the story to life through voice acting and can be found on platforms like Audible or other audiobook services.

Art: The story has inspired various forms of visual art, including illustrations, paintings, and sculptures. These artistic interpretations often depict scenes from the story or portray the characters in imaginative ways.

Educational materials: „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ has been included in educational materials such as lesson plans, study guides, and teaching resources focused on fairy tales and folklore. These materials often explore the themes, motifs, and interpretations of the story, helping students understand its cultural and historical significance.

These adaptations and retellings of „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ showcase the story’s enduring appeal and the timeless themes of kindness, love, and the importance of looking beyond appearances.

Adaptions of the fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“

The fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ by the Brothers Grimm has been adapted in various forms of media, including:

Literature: The story has been adapted into numerous children’s books and novels, including „The Sisters Grimm“ series by Michael Buckley and „Snow & Rose“ by Emily Winfield Martin.

Television and Film: The tale has been adapted into several television and film productions, such as the 1955 West German film „Schneeweißchen und Rosenrot,“ and the 2005 TV movie „Snow White: The Fairest of Them All,“ which starred Kristin Kreuk and Miranda Richardson.

Theater: The story has been adapted into stage productions, including a musical version titled „Snow-White and Rose-Red: The Musical“ by Stephen Murray.

Art: The story has been a source of inspiration for many artists, including Arthur Rackham, who illustrated the tale in his own style.

Video games: The story has been adapted into several video games, including the hidden object game „Dark Parables: Rise of the Snow Queen“ and the indie game „Bear With Me.“

Overall, the tale of „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ has inspired many adaptations across various forms of media, demonstrating its enduring appeal and popularity.

Summary of the plot

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ is a Brothers Grimm fairy tale about two kind-hearted sisters who live with their mother in a small cottage in the woods. Snow-White is gentle and quiet, while Rose-Red is lively and spirited. The sisters share a strong bond and often play together in the woods.

One winter evening, a bear knocks on their door seeking shelter from the cold. The girls and their mother let the bear stay, and he becomes a friend to the family. Snow-White and Rose-Red play with the bear throughout the winter months, and when spring arrives, the bear leaves, promising to return.

Later, the sisters encounter a wicked dwarf who constantly finds himself in dangerous situations. Each time, the girls save him, but the ungrateful dwarf scolds them. In their final encounter with the dwarf, the bear appears and kills the dwarf, breaking a curse that had transformed the bear into its current form. The bear turns into a prince, who had been cursed by the dwarf long ago. Snow-White marries the prince, and Rose-Red marries the prince’s brother, and they all live happily ever after.

The story highlights themes of kindness, familial love, gratitude, and the consequences of one’s actions, showcasing the importance of looking beyond appearances and the transformative power of love and compassion.

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Backgrounds to fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ is a German fairy tale, collected and published by the Brothers Grimm in the 19th century. The story first appeared in the first edition of their famous collection, „Grimms‘ Fairy Tales“ (or „Kinder- und Hausmärchen“), published in 1812. The tale is not to be confused with the more popular „Snow White“ story, which is a different fairy tale also collected by the Brothers Grimm.

The story of „Snow-White and Rose-Red“ revolves around two sisters, Snow-White and Rose-Red, who live with their widowed mother in a small cottage near a forest. The girls are kind and compassionate, and they have a close bond with each other and their mother. One day, during a harsh winter, they befriend a bear who seeks shelter in their home. The bear becomes a regular visitor, and the girls grow fond of him.

Later on, the sisters encounter a wicked dwarf who repeatedly finds himself in trouble. Despite his ungrateful and rude behavior, the girls help him out of various predicaments, such as his beard being stuck in a tree or being caught by an eagle. Eventually, the bear saves the girls from the dwarf when the latter threatens them. It is then revealed that the bear is actually a prince who had been cursed by the dwarf, and with the dwarf’s death, the curse is lifted.

The prince marries Snow-White, while his brother marries Rose-Red, and they all live happily ever after. The story has been interpreted in various ways and has been adapted into numerous forms, including plays, films, and television productions.

The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, were German academics, linguists, and cultural researchers who collected and published hundreds of folktales, legends, and fairy tales in the 19th century. Their work has had a significant influence on Western storytelling and continues to be popular and widely studied today.

Interpretations to fairy tale „Snow-White and Rose-Red“

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ by the Brothers Grimm is a rich fairy tale with multiple interpretations. Here are some common interpretations of the story:

The contrast between two sisters: The story presents two sisters with different personalities, Snow-White being gentle and introverted, and Rose-Red being outgoing and extroverted. This contrast highlights the importance of accepting and embracing differences in people, as both sisters are kind, compassionate, and play a crucial role in the narrative.

Kindness and compassion: The sisters‘ actions throughout the story demonstrate the importance of kindness and compassion. They help the dwarf despite his ungrateful attitude, and they befriend the bear without fear or prejudice. Their kindness eventually leads to the bear’s transformation and a happy ending.

The danger of greed and selfishness: The dwarf in the story represents greed and selfishness. His obsession with his treasures and lack of gratitude towards those who help him ultimately leads to his downfall. This can be interpreted as a cautionary message about the dangers of being self-centered and materialistic.

Transformation and reward: The bear’s transformation at the end of the story serves as a symbol of the power of love and kindness to transform lives. The bear, who was originally a prince cursed by the wicked dwarf, is freed from the curse through his friendship with the sisters. The sisters‘ kindness is rewarded with love and prosperity, emphasizing the idea that good deeds will be rewarded in the end.

The importance of family: Throughout the story, the close bond between the sisters and their mother is highlighted. Their love and support for each other create a strong foundation for their actions and ultimately lead them to a happy ending. This emphasizes the importance of family ties and the power of love and unity.

The balance between nature and domesticity: Snow-White and Rose-Red’s experiences in the forest and their interactions with both the bear and the dwarf reflect the balance between nature and domesticity. The sisters are able to navigate the natural world while maintaining their household responsibilities, suggesting that a healthy balance between the two is essential for a fulfilling life.

Summary of the plot

„Snow-White and Rose-Red“ is a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm about two sisters, Snow-White and Rose-Red, who live with their mother, a poor widow, in a cottage with a garden of two rose-trees. Snow-White is quiet and gentle, while Rose-Red is more adventurous. The sisters are inseparable and share everything with each other.

They often play in the forest, where animals trust them and no harm comes to them. One day, they encounter a bear who seeks shelter in their cottage. They soon become friends with the bear, who visits them every night during the winter. When spring arrives, the bear must leave to guard his treasures from wicked dwarfs.

The sisters later meet a dwarf with his beard caught in a tree. They cut off a small part of his beard to free him, but the ungrateful dwarf leaves angrily. They encounter the dwarf again, this time with his beard caught in a fishing line. They save him again by cutting off another part of his beard, but he remains ungrateful. The third time they come across the dwarf, an eagle is carrying him off. The sisters save him once more, but he continues to be unappreciative.

Later, they find the dwarf counting his precious stones when a black bear approaches. The frightened dwarf offers the bear his treasures and the sisters in exchange for his life, but the bear kills the dwarf with a single blow. The bear then reveals himself to be a prince who was under the dwarf’s spell, and he marries Snow-White, while his brother marries Rose-Red. The sisters‘ mother moves into the castle with them, and they all live happily ever after.

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