Snow-White-Fire-Red facts for kids

Snow-White-Fire-Red is an old fairy tale from Italy. It was collected by Thomas Frederick Crane in his book Italian Popular Tales. It's a story about a prince who must find a special girl to break a curse and find true love.

The Ogress's Curse

A long time ago, a king and queen made a promise. If they had a child, they would make two fountains flow with oil and wine for everyone to enjoy. When their son, a prince, was born, they kept their promise. People came from all over to collect the oil and wine.

After seven years, the fountains were almost dry. An ogress, a giant and scary creature, came to collect the very last drops with her sponge and pitcher. As she worked hard, the young prince threw a ball. It accidentally hit and broke her pitcher! The ogress was furious. She put a curse on the prince. She declared he would never be able to marry anyone until he found a girl named Snow-White-Fire-Red.

Finding Snow-White-Fire-Red

When the prince grew up, he remembered the ogress's curse. He knew he had to find Snow-White-Fire-Red. So, he set off on a long journey. One night, he slept in a huge open field. In the morning, he saw a large house. He then saw the ogress come out and call for Snow-White-Fire-Red to let down her long hair.

After the ogress left, the prince cleverly called out, pretending to be the ogress. Snow-White-Fire-Red, thinking it was her "mother" (which is what she called the ogress), let down her hair. The prince quickly climbed up. He told her his whole story and why he was there. Snow-White-Fire-Red was worried. She told him the ogress would surely eat him! So, she quickly hid him.

The Escape Plan

When the ogress returned, Snow-White-Fire-Red bravely asked her how she could escape if she ever wanted to. The ogress, not suspecting anything, told her the secret. She said Snow-White-Fire-Red would have to cast a spell on all the furniture in the house. This spell would make the furniture answer in her voice. But the ogress also said she would eventually climb up and find out. To truly escape, Snow-White-Fire-Red would need seven balls of yarn. She would have to throw them down as the ogress chased her.

The Great Escape

Snow-White-Fire-Red quickly enchanted all the furniture. Then, she grabbed the yarn balls and fled with the prince. Soon, the ogress called out to Snow-White-Fire-Red. The enchanted furniture answered, making the ogress think the girl was still there. But eventually, the ogress climbed up and discovered that Snow-White-Fire-Red was gone!

The ogress chased after them, calling for Snow-White-Fire-Red to turn around. If Snow-White-Fire-Red had turned, the ogress could have cast a spell on her. But Snow-White-Fire-Red kept throwing down the balls of yarn. Each ball magically slowed down and hurt the ogress. Finally, the ogress, with her last breath, cursed the prince again. She said he would forget Snow-White-Fire-Red as soon as his own mother kissed him. Then, the ogress died.

A Forgotten Love

The prince and Snow-White-Fire-Red continued their journey. The prince told Snow-White-Fire-Red that he would go ahead to get her proper clothes. He wanted her to look suitable for appearing at his royal court. He strictly warned his mother not to kiss him. However, his mother came into his bedroom one night while he was asleep. She kissed him gently. Just as the ogress had cursed, the prince immediately forgot all about Snow-White-Fire-Red.

The Doves' Message

Snow-White-Fire-Red was left alone and heartbroken. An kind old woman felt sorry for her and took her home. Snow-White-Fire-Red was very talented. She made many beautiful and amazing things, which the old woman sold. One day, Snow-White-Fire-Red asked the old woman to get her some small pieces of cloth from the palace. She used these scraps to dress two doves that the old woman owned.

The two birds then flew to the palace. Everyone there admired the beautiful doves. The doves then began to speak! They told the entire story of how the prince had met and won Snow-White-Fire-Red. As the doves spoke, the prince suddenly remembered everything. He remembered Snow-White-Fire-Red and their adventure. He immediately ordered his servants to follow the birds. Soon, he found Snow-White-Fire-Red, and they were finally married, living happily ever after.