Seven Dwarfs and the Magic Mirror
Nishant sharma
Once upon a midwinter's eve, as snowflakes danced gracefully from the heavens, a queen sat by her window, needle in hand, lost in reverie. A prick from the needle drew a drop of crimson blood, which fell upon the pristine snow. Gazing at the striking contrast, she whispered to the winds, "Grant me a daughter with skin as white as snow, hair as black as ebony, and lips as red as blood." The heavens heard her plea, and soon she bore a breathtaking princess, named Snowdrop.Years passed, and Snowdrop blossomed into a vision of unparalleled beauty, her radiance lighting up the seven seas. Tragedy struck when the king passed away, leaving the queen a widow. She remarried a noble king, becoming Snowdrop's stepmother. This new queen was lovely to behold, yet her heart harbored the venom of a serpent. In her chamber stood a magic mirror, omniscient and unyielding in truth. Daily, she would stand before it and chant, "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?"The mirror would reply, "You, O Queen, are the fairest." Her vanity basked in delight. But when Snowdrop turned sixteen, her beauty eclipsed the moon itself. The queen queried once more, and the mirror sighed, "Queen, you are fair, but Snowdrop is a thousand times fairer. Her skin gleams like fresh snow, her hair flows like midnight raven, her lips bloom like ruby roses."Envy scorched the queen's soul like wildfire. "This princess must vanish forever," she seethed. Summoning her loyal huntsman, she commanded, "Take Snowdrop to the forest, slay her, and bring back her heart as proof." Trembling, the huntsman led the innocent princess deep into the woods. But beholding her pure eyes, his resolve shattered. "Flee, dear one, into the shadows of the trees," he urged. "I'll offer the queen a deer's heart instead." Tearful with gratitude, Snowdrop vanished into the emerald depths.Wandering wearily, she stumbled upon a quaint cottage nestled among ancient oaks. The door stood ajar. Inside were seven tiny beds, seven wee chairs, and seven dainty plates—all in perfect miniature. Exhausted, she collapsed onto one bed and slept. At dusk, the seven dwarfs returned from their mine, sturdy little brothers with hearts of gold and secrets of magic. They marveled at the disarray, then gasped at the sleeping beauty. "What exquisite grace! Who is this angelic maiden?"Snowdrop awoke and poured out her tale. The dwarfs' compassion overflowed. "Stay with us," they implored. "We toil in the mines by day. Clean, cook, and above all, bar the door to strangers. The queen's malice will seek you out with poisoned gifts." Snowdrop nodded, and harmony filled the cottage. Evenings echoed with their joyful song: "Snowdrop, our queen so bright, your smile ignites the night!"The mirror betrayed all to the queen. Disguised as a peddler, she ventured forth the first time with a corset of silken lace. "Open the door, fair child, this is for you!" Snowdrop, forgetting caution, complied. The queen laced her tightly until breath fled, and Snowdrop crumpled. Cackling, the queen departed. That evening, the dwarfs returned in sorrow, their magic chants loosening the laces. Snowdrop revived, chided gently: "Heed us next time!"Undeterred, the queen struck again with a poisoned comb. "Let me style your raven locks," she cooed. Snowdrop fell once more. The dwarfs extracted the comb with enchanted precision, reviving her. On the third day, the queen's cunning peaked. She crafted an apple, one half innocent, the other laced with deadly venom. As a wrinkled crone, she cried, "An apple, sweet one! See, I bite first—safe as moonlight." Snowdrop crunched the poisoned side and collapsed, lifeless.The dwarfs wept rivers of grief. "True death this time," they mourned, crafting a crystal coffin atop a misty hill, where they kept eternal vigil. Seasons turned. One crisp morning, a prince on a hunt spied the gleaming casket. Moved by her ethereal beauty, he knelt, and in brushing it, dislodged the apple shard from her throat. Snowdrop's eyes fluttered open. Love bloomed instantly between them.Word of the royal wedding reached the court. The queen arrived, feigning joy. The dwarfs recognized her villainy. As punishment, they forged iron shoes, glowing red-hot in the forge. Forced to don them, she danced in agony until her wicked spirit fled. Snowdrop and the prince wed in splendor, the seven dwarfs honored guests in the palace forevermore.
Moral: Envy devours the envious; kindness and love triumph eternally.