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There was once a poor widow who lived in a lonely cottage. In

front of the cottage was a garden wherein stood two rose-trees,

one of which bore white and the other red roses. She had two

children who were like the two rose-trees, and one was called

Snow-white, and the other Rose-red. They were as good and happy,

as busy and cheerful as ever two children in the world were, only

Snow-white was more quiet and gentle than Rose-red. Rose-red

liked better to run about in the meadows and fields seeking

flowers and catching butterflies; but Snow-white sat at home with

her mother, and helped her with her housework, or read to her

when there was nothing to do.

The two children were so fond of one another that they always

held each other by the hand when they went out together, and when

Snow-white said: 'We will not leave each other,' Rose-red

answered: 'Never so long as we live,' and their mother would add:

'What one has she must share with the other.'