Snow - Kathy

 My three phrases:

Writing on the wall

Dealing out the Deck

Diamond Miners

Ugh, it’s like Groundhog Day again!” thought Snow, waking at the crack of dawn to start her day.  She got busy scrambling eggs, pouring orange juice, and setting the table.  Then she rang the breakfast bell, and just like that seven little men marched down the stairs, each one nodding and greeting Snow with a “Good Morning, Snow!” They all took a seat at the long wooden table, said grace, and then dug in.  Every day, every day was the same.  And despite adoring these little men who saved her life, and kept her safe, she wished for something more.  She wasn’t sure if this was better or worse than putting up with her annoyingly jealous and dangerous stepmom, but she supposed being alive and rather bored was better than dead.  After all, the little group of diamond miners kept her busy taking care of them, and they protected her in their small den of a home.  

Day after day she cooked, cleaned and scrubbed laundry for the little guys, while they dug through the nearby mountain digging up diamonds and selling them to Sir George.  Sir George, a giant among the mountain people, not only traded gold for money, but collected taxes, carried the mail, and delivered messages from the Queen. Snow and the miners considered Sir George a friend they could trust, as he was the only other person who knew where Snow resided.  For if the Queen knew, Snow’s life would be in danger.  

The little diamond miners marched out the door that morning chanting “Hi Ho, Hi ho, it’s off to work we go,” and Snow got busy in her usual way by clearing the dishes, making the beds, and singing to the woodland creatures.  

While gathering flowers, Snow heard hoofbeats nearing the cottage.  She darted behind a wooden fence and peeked around the corner.  It was only Sir George.  He dismounted, tied his white stallion to the hitching rail and wrapped on the door.  I’m over her Sir, said Snow walking around the fence.  He turned toward her and lowered his head.  Immediately Snow knew something was wrong.  “What is it, Sir?” she asked.

“I’m afraid the writing is on the wall this time, Snow.  The Queen is sending out an army of soldiers looking for you.  Her plans are to lock you up in the tower until she can send you away forever, or perhaps even worse!”  

Snow shivered, “I’ve known this day would come, what shall we do?.”   She sat down on a log, rested her head in her hands and began to think.  Sir George joined her.

“Well, let’s deal out the cards in our deck…the queen wants you gone.  She’s so very jealous of your youthful beauty, dangerously so” he began, “And she will eventually find you - she has an army of soldiers,” he continued, “She is not afraid to use magical spells; remember what happened to her sister…ugh.”  They both shuddered just thinking about her poor sister, now a toad in the castle pond.  “What else do we know?”

“Well,” added Snow, “My little friends have collected so many diamonds, we’re absolutely rich beyond belief, maybe that will help, could we pay her off?”

“That’s it!” shouted Sir George. “The Queen is in such debt, perhaps we could pay her a hefty sum and promise her you would never enter her kingdom again.”

“ Yes!” nodded Snow.  “I am happier here, I just get a bit bored, but I suppose it’s better than dead, right?”  Snow didn’t sound all that excited, but rather reserved to a future of routine chores and singing to birds and squirrels.  

Sir George turned to Snow and took her hands in his.  “My dear Snow,” he started.  “I’ve been in love with you since the day we met.  What I haven’t told you is that when my contract is up with the Queen, I’ll be returning to Hampshire, where I will take over the kingdom from my retiring father.  It’s beautiful there…mountains, ocean, forests, and the most wonderful and happy people.  You would love it there. Would you, I mean could you consider…”  Sir George looked into Snow’s eyes, she was looking up at him full of anticipation, a bit of confusion, but oh so beautifully happy.  

“Yes…” she encouraged.

“Will you become my wife and join me?” he finally asked.

There was no question,  Snow jumped up, looked deeper into his eyes and just like that, planted a kiss right on Sir George’s lips.  Birds sang, squirrels jumped from tree to tree, and the seven little diamond miners came marching around the bend carrying seven buckets full of diamonds.

What happened next?  Well, the seven little men loved Snow and knew she’d be happy with Sir George.  They didn’t really need a lot of money anyway and were happy to pay off the Queen for Snow.  The queen was just as greedy as she was jealous.  She took the diamonds, Snow signed the contract banning her from the Queen’s kingdom and the next week, Snow and Sir George were married and settled into the castle in Hampshire.  The little diamond miners visited frequently, always happy to see their dear friends.  And the Queen?  She lived miserably ever after.