Chapter I: Preparation

A story of two sisters who lived with their mother in a little house in the woods. Their work and play. A bear came to the house and became their friend. A wicked dwarf did wrong and was punished. Talk of home in the woods, garden. Explain _widow_.

Narration.

THE HOME.

Once upon a time, in a little house in the woods, there lived a poor widow. The widow had a garden and in the garden were two beautiful rose bushes. On one of these bushes there grew lovely red roses; on the other the roses were as white as snow.

The widow had two daughters, who were both so sweet that she named them after the roses. One of the daughters she called Snow-white and the other Rose-red.

The children were both obedient and industrious, yet they were not quite alike. Snow-white was quiet and gentle and fond of staying in the house with her mother. Rose-red enjoyed running about the fields in search of flowers and butterflies.

Snow-white and Rose-red helped their mother to keep the little house clean and neat. They made the fire in the morning. They filled the kettle with water from the spring and hung it over the fire. It was a very bright little kettle, for it was made of copper and was polished till it shone like gold.

After breakfast the sisters worked cheerfully together. Each one had her share of the work. When that was done they learned their lessons and did their sewing and knitting. In all this their mother was their kind teacher and helper.

Suggestions.

The sisters’ work. Homes mentioned in other stories. Fire-place mentioned in other stories. Garden. Copper kettle.

Comparison with home in “Mother Frost.” Talk of love and helpfulness in the home.

II.

Preparation.

Talk of play and playmates in the woods.

Narration.

HOW SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED PLAYED.

Snow-white and Rose-red often played in the woods together. They ran about and played hide and seek among the trees. They waded in the little river. When they were tired of running about and sat down to rest, they made wreaths of flowers or leaves which they wore upon their heads.

Not one of the animals was afraid of them. The hares ate cabbage leaves out of their hands. The deer ate grass by their side. The squirrels knew the sisters well and came to eat the nuts they brought for them. The birds, too, loved them and went on building their nests or feeding their young ones. At the same time the birds sang their sweetest songs for Rose-red and Snow-white.

Suggestions.

The hare, the deer, the squirrel,--appearance, habits, home, use to man. Compare, for size and strength, with other animals known to the children.