Snow White and Rose Red – A German Folk Tale about Kindness and a Magical Prince

Brief Description:

Snow White and Rose Red is a German folk tale about two sisters whose kindness and care help an enchanted bear return to his true nature. Their friendship and sincerity defeat evil.

In a small village, there lived two sisters named Snow White and Rose Red. They lived with their mother in a small, cozy house on the edge of the forest. Snow White was calm, gentle, and loved to take care of flowers, while Rose Red was brave, energetic, and loved walking through the forest. Despite their different personalities, the sisters were very close and always helped each other.

One cold winter evening, a guest knocked at their door. When Rose Red opened the door, she saw a large bear standing there. His thick fur was covered in snow. The girls' mother was frightened, but the bear said: — Don’t be afraid of me. I am frozen and very tired. Please let me warm up by your fire.

The sisters and their mother let the bear in, warmed him, and gave him something to eat. From that day on, the bear often came to visit them in the evenings. He sat by the fireplace, while Snow White and Rose Red played with him. The sisters grew fond of the bear, and he became their friend. When spring came, the bear said: — I must leave. My treasure in the forest is in danger, and I must protect it.

As he was leaving, he added: — Remember, if you are in trouble, call me, and I will surely come to help.

One day, while walking in the forest, the sisters met a dwarf. He was stuck in the bushes, and his long beard was tangled. The dwarf grumbled angrily and did not ask for help, but the sisters decided to help him. They carefully freed his beard, and he only mumbled something unhappily and walked away. A few days later, they met the dwarf again, who was now in another predicament: his beard was caught by a fish at the riverbank. Once again, the sisters helped him, though he didn’t thank them.

The third time they encountered the same dwarf in the forest, where he was trying to protect a bag of treasures from the bear. The dwarf was shouting desperately, but when the sisters saw the bear, they felt that he had come to protect them. The bear frightened the dwarf, who ran away in terror, leaving behind his treasure. Then something incredible happened — the bear began to transform. His fur disappeared, and before the girls stood a handsome prince.

The prince told them that he had been cursed by the dwarf, and only kind and sincere people could help break the spell. He thanked Snow White and Rose Red for their kindness and care. Soon, the prince married one of the sisters, and the other stayed with their mother, continuing to live in their cozy home. From that day on, they all lived happily and never knew poverty or sorrow again.

The Moral of the Story:

The tale teaches that kindness, sincerity, and the willingness to help others are always rewarded. Even in difficult situations, it’s important to remain caring and compassionate.

Questions for Children:

1. Why did the sisters help the bear and the dwarf?
2. How was the bear enchanted?
3. What lesson does this story teach us?