fractured fairy tale: Snow White

fractured fairy tale: Snow White - Brie Klaesner and Olivia Moynihan (Timberland High School, Twelfth Grade)

Once upon a time, Snow White lived in a beautiful castle that overlooked the land. Her life was perfect… almost. The only thing standing in her way of perfection was her jealous stepmother, some may even call her evil. Her stepmother had always been envious of Snow White’s rare beauty, but Snow White paid no mind. 

One day, the Evil Queen felt so threatened by Snow White’s beauty, she set up a wicked plan to kill Snow White. The Evil Queen sent Snow White to the market to retrieve some juicy red apples. While on the journey, the carriage took a sudden halt and Snow White was thrown out of the carriage, leaving her helpless on the cold ground of the dark forest floor. 

“Wait! Come back!” Snow White shouted, but it was no use, the carriage was gone. Snow White looked at her surroundings, seeing nothing but dark woods for miles. Snow White decided that staying in one place would be no help, and she needed to roam the unknown forest. 

Whilst trekking through the woods, Snow White heard a low growl and a branch snap in the distance. 

“Oh my!” Snow White screamed at the unknown sound, her fear growing. After a while of scavidging the woods, Snow White came across a beam of light. The light led directly to a beautiful meadow covered with flowers, birds, and a small stream. In the middle of that meadow was a small cottage.

“Finally,” Snow White let out a sigh, “I am saved.” 

Snow White excitedly walked up to the cottage and placed three gentle knocks on the great oak door. 

“Hello? Is anyone there?” Snow White questioned. 

There was no reply, so Snow White took the silence as an invitation to enter the house. Upon entering, Snow White was met with a pig stine! 

“Dear heavens! This place is filthy! I must clean this mess,” Snow White exclaimed. Snow White got to work right away. She fetched a pale of warm water with soap suds and a mop. Snow White began to whistle a tune, attracting the animals outside. The birds flew through the open window and began picking up the sheets off the floor and hanging them on the clothes line. A fox dusted the furniture with its tail. And a bunny rabbit washed the dishes with its small paws. 

In no time, the house was practically sparkling and looked brand new. 

Snow White heard a noise outside and grew curious. “Is that the owner of the cottage?” Snow White wondered aloud. 

Snow White excitedly waited behind the door as the knob slowly turned. Seven little men walk through the front door, screaming in unison once seeing Snow White, “Who are you and what are you doing in our cottage?” 

“My most sincere apologies! How rude of me to intrude.” Snow White apologized. Before Snow White could explain any further, the seven dwarfs notice their squeaky clean cottage. 

They all gasped in unison, “Who ruined our cottage?” 

“Ruined,” Snow White questioned, “I was only trying to help.”

“Fix what? Our cottage was perfect before you added your touch,” one of the dwarfs snarked. 

“I meant no harm; I truly thought I was helping,” Snow White explained, “Please, let me make supper as an apology.” 

The seven dwarfs accepted Snow White’s offer. 

Snow White put together the finest meal she could. Snow White used fresh vegetables and herbs for her chicken roast. Once supper was prepared, the seven dwarfs and Snow White took a seat at the table. Over supper, the seven dwarfs and Snow White grew closer and began to get to know each other. 

“So, what led you to our cottage?” one of the dwarfs questioned. 

“Well, my stepmother knocked me off my carriage and left me for dead. As I was stumbling around the forest, the light drew me in, and I welcomed myself. I do need to find a way back home, but I do not know how I will do that,” Snow White explained to the seven dwarfs. 

The seven dwarfs all gave each other a look and decided they could help Snow White. “You could stay with us, we suppose. Under the condition that you continue to cook meals for us,” one of the dwarfs offered, speaking for the group. 

“Oh, I would love that! Thank you!” Snow White gleed. 

Over the next week, Snow White and the seven dwarfs grew very close over their time spent at the kitchen table. The dwarfs appreciated Snow White’s spectacular cooking and Snow White appreciated the dwarfs opening their home to her.

In a time of distress, Snow White baked an apple pie for the seven dwarfs to enjoy after supper. Snow White had picked the finest apples she could find and used the sweetest sugar in the cupboard. 

Once supper was over, Snow White fetched the apple pie as a surprise for the seven dwarfs. 

“Oh, this is lovely Snow White. Thank you!” all the seven dwarfs exclaimed. The seven dwarfs wasted no time cutting themselves a piece of pie and scarfing it down. “Wow, that was delicious!” Terry, one of the dwarfs, cheered. “I must wash up.” As Terry went to leap from the kitchen chair, he fell. Everyone gasped and made sure 

Terry was not harmed. As Snow White rushed over to Terry, he stood up, and he was no longer a dwarf. Terry was now a 6 '3 grown man. 

Snow White yelped in fear, “Wh… WHAT?” 

Snow White looked around in shock, but was not met with any surprised faces. “Why are none of you shocked,” Snow White demanded, “This is crazy!” All at once, all of the other dwarfs stood up and towered over Snow White. They had 

never been dwarfs, they had deceived her. Snow White could not bear the betrayal of their lies. Snow White had believed they were friends and that she could stay with them forever. Snow White knew she could no longer stay. 

“I must return home. You all lied to me and I cannot bear that hurt,” Snow White explained. 

The seven “dwarfs” watched as Snow White left them behind. They never meant to make her leave, they enjoyed her being there. The reason they had lied was because they thought Snow

White would be frightened if seven tall men entered the cottage. But it was too late, Snow White was gone.