Lesson Two: Beginnings

The bright mid-day sunlight glared angrily off the sharp blade as it arched above the huntsman’s head. He held the knife in his clenched fist and strained against the inevitable destruction that he was compelled to do. Sweat beaded his forehead and ran down the calloused wrinkles that lined his face.

Snow White crouched in fear on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, her otherwise perfect features wracked with tears and the certainty that she would not live to see another day.

“Please,” she whispered. “Let me live. I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“You don’t understand” he said through clenched teeth. “If I don’t deliver your heart to the Queen, she will have mine instead.”

“Please!” She cried, dropped her head into her hands, sobbing. “I don’t want to die!”

“Nor do I, little one. Nor do I.”