Her forest friends the birds and the rabbits and deer came to see her every day to keep her company, so she was never lonely.
The dwarfs were afraid to leave Snow White alone every day. They were sure that the Queen was a witch and would try to kill her. So they told her never to talk to any stranger or buy anything from one.
Snow White promised to keep the door locked till they returned. They warned her every morning before they left.
6
In the palace, the Queen had been very pleased to see the bleeding heart that the guard had shown her. How happy she was! She was now the most beautiful woman in the world! She quickly went to her magic mirror and asked:
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall,
Who is the fairest one of all?
To her great horror, the mirror replied:
O Queen, you are fair,
But Snow White is the fairest one of all.
She was furious. The guard had tricked her! She went down to the palace cellars to think. She needed a good plan. She decided that she would have to kill Snow White herself. She could no longer trust anybody. However, she would have to find Snow White first.
The Queen decided to poison Snow White. First she made a magic potion that would turn her, the Queen, into an ugly old pedlar woman. Then she took a red, juicy apple. She dipped half of it into a bowl of poison. She put the poisoned apple back into the basket, right on top.
Then she waved her magic wand over it and hissed, One bite of this and Snow White will fall into a deathlike sleep! She will wake up only if a prince falls in love with her and kisses her. But that will never happen, I am sure. The dwarfs will think she is dead and will bury her. Then I will remain the most beautiful woman in the world!
7
Dressed as an old pedlar woman, the Queen carried the basket of fresh apples and set off for the forest. Her clothes were tattered and torn. After a long walk, she found the cottage.
That morning, the dwarfs had again warned Snow White, You must not open the door to anyone till we return. Your stepmother is a witch. We are sure of that. She will disguise herself and will try to find you. When she does, she will kill you. So be careful.
Please dont worry about me. Ill be a good girl and will do exactly as you say, replied Snow White.
She kissed each dwarf on the forehead and bid him goodbye. Bashful was standing in a corner. He liked it when Snow White kissed him, but he felt very shy. She pulled him out of the corner and planted a kiss on his forehead, too. Grumpy was trying to go out very quickly, so that she would not see him scowling as he went.
Oh Grumpy, you cant go without bidding me goodbye!
Grumpy was ready to rush out, but Snow White stopped him and planted a big kiss on his forehead. Grumpy forgot to scowl and smiled instead. Snow White clapped her hands.
Why Grumpy, you are smiling! How nice you look!
Grumpy hastily wiped the smile off his face and rushed off.
8
While Snow White was bidding farewell to the dwarfs, the Queen was hiding behind a tree. She watched the dwarfs leave with their sacks, picks and shovels. When they were out of sight, she went to the window and looked in. She could hear Snow White singing as she worked. She had become really beautiful. The Queen felt very jealous.
She knocked at the window. Snow White peeped out.
She knocked at the window. Snow White peeped out.
What do you want? she asked, without opening the window.
Oh, I dont want anything. I picked these fresh, juicy apples this morning. I was passing by and when I saw you through the window, I wanted to give one to you because you are so beautiful.
But I dont want any! Please forgive me.
Please dont refuse a poor pedlar woman. Also, it is very cold out here. Let me in to warm myself just for a little while. What harm can I do?
Snow White felt sorry for her. She looked at her torn and tattered clothes. The old woman looked very poor. What harm can such a woman do to me? she thought. So she opened the door and invited her into the cottage. She pulled a comfortable chair before the fireplace and helped her to sit down.
9
The old pedlar woman warmed her hands in front of the fire.
Thank you, my dear!
Snow White looked at the basket of apples and exclaimed, What lovely apples you have there!
They are delicious, dear. You must take this one. It is the juiciest one.
Oh no, I cannot!
Why?
Then Snow White told her about the warning that the dwarfs had given her.
You see, she said, they are afraid that the cruel Queen will try to kill me.
The old woman cackled and said, That is all rubbish! How can the Queen come here? You would recognise her, wouldnt you?
But shes a witch! She can change herself and then I will not recognise her.
Say what you will, but Im certainly not the Queen. Me, an old pedlar woman, a Queen! exclaimed the woman, and cackled loud and long. Look, child, Ill take a bite from this apple, the juiciest one. If nothing happens to me, you can surely eat the rest. You have been so kind to me. I will not harm you.
So Snow White watched the pedlar woman take a bite of the apple and eat it up. She watched and waited. The woman smiled a toothless smile and said, See, dear, no harm has come to me, so now you can eat the rest of the apple. Its really sweet and juicy.