Snow White

- -

Once upon a time, there was a peaceful kingdom

ruled by a virtuous queen and king.

More than anything, they wished for a child.

One winter's night, a blizzard swept through their land,

blotting out the kingdom in a bitter storm of snow and ice,

but leaving them a most precious gift.

- A princess was born. -

To honor the night she arrived,

her parents named the girl Snow White.

As she grew, the king and queen taught Snow White

that the bounty of the land belonged to all who tended it.

They showed her how to rule with love.

For someday, her destiny would be to lead.

- -

Go on.

Hi.

The king and queen watched with pride

as Snow White grew into a kind and fair young princess.

But then, tragedy struck.

Snow White's mother fell ill.

And the Good Queen died.

Snow White and the king were heartbroken.

Until...

an enchanting woman from a far-off land appeared at the palace.

So great was her beauty that it seemed

to grant her powers beyond the ordinary.

- -

She married the king,

but she was not what she appeared.

She was evil

and cared only about her own beauty

and the power it granted.

To protect that power,

she kept a magic mirror

which could answer but one simple question.

Magic Mirror on the wall,

who is the fairest of them all?

You, my Queen,

of all the women reckoned fair,

your beauty is beyond compare.

The new queen wasted no time seizing power.

She warned of a terrible threat from beyond the Southern Kingdom.

So the Good King swore to defend his people.

But the king did not return.

Fear gripped the kingdom.

And the queen's power grew.

She turned the farmers into soldiers

loyal only to her,

and robbed the riches of the kingdom for herself.

She made Snow White a servant

and locked her away behind the castle walls.

But as long as the mirror answered the queen each day that she was the fairest,

Snow White remained safe from the queen's cruel jealousy.

As the years passed,

the people nearly forgot

there ever was a princess named Snow White.

And in truth,

Snow White nearly forgot herself.

- -

Hello?

I'm sorry.

Is there something I can help you with?

That's okay. Just browsing.

Well, I'm going to have to ask you to put those back.

I would, but it seems like the queen has plenty already.

Oh, I see. So that's your excuse for stealing?

My friends are hungry. I'm hungry. That's my excuse.

Maybe I can speak with the queen.

You really think the people upstairs want to share with people like us?

Well, the princess would.

Snow White.

Snow White hasn't been seen or heard from in many years.

I doubt she'll be of any help to anyone.

All she does is think of how to help her people.

Well, then you should let her know, at some point,

it might be useful for her to stop thinking.

Maybe start doing.

There's an intruder in the castle. Seal the doors!

Take some for yourself.

And share the rest with your princess.

Maybe no one else has even told her.

I'm sure if the queen was aware of how desperate things have gotten,

she would be happy to share.

I at least have to try,

even if it is just a wish.

Wish... Wish...

Wish...

Snow White, have you finished your chores?

Yes, Your Majesty.

It's important we all do our share.

Well, that's what I came to speak to you about, actually.

Sharing.

Please.

You were saying?

It's just...

Your Majesty,

people are struggling, and it may not be much,

but when I was young, my parents and I would pick apples.

We'd take them and make pies,

- then go out into the village... - Pies?

Pies are luxuries. They don't need luxuries.

It confuses them.

But sometimes something small, something sweet even,

can make you believe that there's more to being alive than mere subsistence.

You know, I really don't remember you being this...

opinionated.

My apologies. It's just...

I feel they need some kindness.

"Fearless, fair, brave, true."

How quaint.

One day, you'll understand how useless those words are.

But in the meantime,

here's a tidbit for you.

Observe.

Ravishing, isn't it?

Yes, Your Majesty.

One is weak, useless, fragile.

The other hard, unyielding,

everlasting, flawless,

beautiful.

My subjects don't want a flower.

They want a diamond.

- Your Highness... - Get your hands off me!

...this criminal was caught in the scullery pilfering royal supplies.

That's a lie.

Are you one of the bandits

that gather in the forest stealing in the name of the king?

No, no, Your Majesty.

Not "one of the bandits." I'm the boss.

Loyal to the one true king.

Find his home and burn it to the ground.

Funny thing is,

I don't actually have a home.

Then take him to the dungeon.

- Fill the castle with his cries. - Your Majesty...

I understand the need for justice.

But please, this isn't fair.

What did you say?

The punishment must not exceed the crime,

- and I know my father would... - Your father?

Your father?

My father would show mercy.

I'm sorry, my dear. You're right.

This thief stole from me.

So, I will steal from him.

Remove his coat and boots and bind him to the gates to freeze.

You know, is the dungeon still an option?