The Snow Queen

Gerda and Kay grew roses in window boxes facing each other. One day, a shard from a magic mirror that made goodness look ugly blew into Kay's eye. He mocked the flowers and pushed his friend away. When the Snow Queen's sleigh passed, Kay, dazzled by its icy shine, fastened his sled behind it.

When Kay did not return, Gerda put on her red boots and searched. She escaped a garden that made visitors forget time when its roses reminded her of Kay. A fierce forest girl gave her a reindeer, and Gerda crossed a northern wind so cold that frost covered her lashes. Still, she continued.

Inside the ice palace, Kay arranged frozen pieces into a word the Queen had demanded. He no longer remembered home or felt the cold. The Snow Queen left to summon a storm, leaving him in a hall that was beautiful but silent and empty. Gerda reached the doorway and called her friend's name again and again.

Gerda ran to embrace Kay. One warm tear melted the ice around his heart, and Kay wept until the mirror shard washed from his eye. He recognized his friend and remembered their roses. Together they arranged the ice pieces into the shape of love, and the palace doors opened.

The reindeer carried them through the forest and home. Roses still bloomed at their windows. Kay apologized for his cruel words. “We can tend them again together,” Gerda said. When the next first snow arrived, they admired its beauty without letting its cold close their hearts.