Section09.pdf - MIT Media Laboratory

‘Beware of your step-mother: she is sure to find out
where you are. Sobe sure to let no one come in.’
For a long time the Queen, thinking that Snow
White was dead, believed herself to be the most beautiful
of all. Until one day she remarked to her Mirror:
‘Mirror, mirror on the wail,
Who is the fairest one of all?’—
for she adored flattery. But whatwas her furyand dismay
when the Magic Mirror, which could not lie, answered:
‘Lovely lady, mighty Queen,
You’d be the fairest one, I wren:
But Snow White lives by the mountain wall
With the seven dwarfs in their cottage small —
And she is the fairestone ofall!’
Then the Queen knew that she had been cheated by
the huntsman. But she was more determined than ever
to kill Snow White, and at lastshe set out for thedwarfs’
cottage disguised as an old pedlar woman.
Over the seven mountains she went until she came to
the dwarfs’ home, and knocked at the door, crying:
‘Pretty things to sell! Very cheap! Very cheap!’
Snow White looked out of the window, and when she
saw that it was only an old pedlar woman, she unlocked
the door and went out to look at the pretty things in her
basket. Very soon she chose some brightly coloured
stay-laces, and the old woman said:
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‘Gracious child, and you need them, too! Let me lace
your bodice properly for you just this once.’
Snow White was eager to learn, and stood ready. But
the pedlat laced so quickly and so tighily that Snow
Whiie could not breathe, and fell down as if dead.
‘Now I am the most beautiful one of all!’ cried the
Queen; and home she went across the seven mountains.
But when she stood before the Magic Mirror and
asked the usual question, it answered:
‘Over seven mountains where the seven dwarfs dwell
Lives Snow White far fairer than words can tell!’
For the dwarfs arrived home soon after the Queen had
left; and when they cut the new laces, Snow White
breathed again, and soon told her story.
‘The old pedlar woman must have been the wicked
Queen in disguise!’ they cried, ‘You must be more
careful still, and let no one in when we are not here.’
Snow White had good need of the warning. For not
many days later another old woman came over the seven
mountains and knocked at the cottage door. At first
Snow White would not open the door; but at last she
did, though she did not come out but stood there looking
at the pretty things in the old woman’s basket.
‘Buy a pretty comb for your hair! Very cheap! Very
cheap!’ cried the old woman. And Snow White bought
one. But the comb was poisoned; and as soon as it
touched her head, Snow White fell to the ground.