My sister is in love with a bear. He comes every night to our house, through the snow which he tracks in, big muddy footprints on the rug. We sit by the fireside, Maman and Snow and the Bear and I. The light flickers in her eyes and turns her cheeks sweet pink. Maman says we must be nice to the bear, and I try to see beyond his ivory teeth.
The nights are cold, and we huddle together in the one small bed, as always. Whispering secrets, telling tales, my sister and I. Now she only speaks of the bear, “Do you think he’ll come again?” she asks. I roll over and shut my eyes tight.
In the summer he will be gone, I’m sure, and we will return to the woods to pick acorns and apples and hunt for mushrooms in the loam. Just the two of us. We will find the deer grazing in the meadow and the hare, to feed him cabbage leaves. At night we will lay down on the moss and the star child will watch over us, as always.
My sister is in love with the bear, but he always looks hungry to me.
February 28, 2010
51 responses to red and white
So dangerous to be in love with a bear. He would keep her warm though.
Perhaps, I like to think bears are a little bit dangerous too.
perhaps the bear is in love with the sister too … ??
Maybe he is, would you approve of the match then?
You always find the perfect words, the ones that fit like gloves. Your blog is one of my very very favourites, dear Skylark. xxx
Thank you Vera dear, I feel the same way about your lovely diary <3
Perhaps the bear has a brother?
Oh, this is a good one! ^_^
In the original story, he does, and Rose Red marries the bear’s brother. I always felt a bit sorry for her because of this.
Be very careful, dear love. bear is usually wise, but don’t make them angry.
I know you can handle it.
Have a nice day!
Thank you, I don’t think all bears are wise, but it is good to respect those who are bigger and stronger than you sometimes.
What a cute vignette! I reread that story the other day.
It is a nice story, but I find the Grimm retelling a bit twee. I wanted to make the sisters unique. Thank you!
Bwahaha, it *is* very twee, and the sisters were pretty bland. I really like what you do with these stories.
Hello! Ooh this is so darn lovely!
*Squeals* Have a beautiful week ahead!
xoxo
Thank you Patricia!
Oh goodness, That is amazingly beautiful, and amazingly metaphorical, in my own interpritation. You are amazing, actually having captured something that can pull on my own heart strings. You are absolutely wonderful.
*kisses*
Raelynn
I’m so glad you can read in to the story some of the metaphors I tried to plant. You are a wonderful reader! <3
This evokes so many sentiments of longing and jealousy and letting go. It almost made my cry
Thank you so much, I like to try and find the undercurrents of old stories, the tales that aren’t told.
(p.s. please put your url in the url field of the comment form, otherwise wordpress marks your comment as spam ^^; I rescued this one!)
This is so lovely!
It must be difficult not to have her to share secrets and tales with. I know someone who nearly lost their sister to a rabid circus monkey in a charming velveteen cap.
About the smitten sister: I’m uncertain whether a huge teddy bear would pacify her or increase her ardour!
There are things that are really meant for admiration from a distance.
Some people only learn the hard way…
I never had a sister, but I think I would be very protective of her if I did.
A huge teddy bear? Haha.
So beautiful, yet at the same time haunting. I love your stories: they’re so deep and thought provoking, with so much hidden below the surface of lovely prose. Searching through every layer is like digging for treasure. <3
Thank you very much. This is how I try and write, hiding things in the words, so I am really pleased when people find them. <3
Your blog makes me feel warm and nostalgic.
I love your words xx
Thank you, I’ve just seen your lovely flickr. It’s beautiful!
I wonder if many men are like the bear? I wish I could find a man who is NOT a bear, but can still protect me, if needed.
I think some Men are bears and some are lions and some are lambs. I’m not sure which is best.
Snow White and Rose Red is one of my favorite fairy tales. Did you check out Tender Morsels? It’s a retelling of it. I wasn’t crazy about the authors voice, but you might want to check it out.
No, but I have seen it mentioned a lot lately. I’ll have to find a copy, thank you.
beautiful, i love the reality of this splice on rr & rw
Thank you.
This story was so sweet. The way you put your words together makes for such a light and magical feel.
Everyone is saying that it is not a good idea for the sister to love the bear. But what if he’s truely a handsome and kind man who was turned into a bear. And he must find someone who sees and loves him for who he really is to change back. Kinda like “Beauty and the Beast.”
Thank you. I think he might be a Prince in disguise, but that doesn’t make it any easier for Rose.
Very true.
Have you read the current novel East? It is a great version of this story.
I have read East! This is based off a different fairy tale though, called Snow White and Rose Red. They both have bears.
your words are so beautiful ♥
maybe the bear is dangerous, but we can’t help who our hearts decide to leave us for xx
So very true.
♥
Rose Red and Snow White was one of my favorite stories as a child ^_^ I’m pretty sure I still have the book lying around somewhere… You’ve inspired me to go looking for it :)
This is beautiful. I hope that the bear loves her as much as she loves him. :)
I think this a wonderful metaphor. Whether he is a good bear or not, Rose will eventually find one that is “just right,” as Goldilocks would say. xx
Perhaps the bear is a dashing prince, and your sister is the one who recognizes him for who he is?
I am having a free handmade item blog giveaway! Please do go take a look! Thankyou!! xxx
I stumbled upon your website and I must say that you truly do have a magic way with words. Your posts are lovely and they make me smile!
By the way, this post reminded me just a little of a book I had read called the North Child (I think it was). Have you read it?
i still read this story and smile. :)
beautiful blog. xxxxx
Your blog is seriously enchanting. I just felt like I stepped into another world for a moment there. so lovely! x
this is perfect sweet story to end my day with! the way you construct your words are just so beautiful. i love reading one of your stories every time you post them :)
p/s: i wanted to give you a little present for the weekend, so please have a looksie :) enjoy your weekend beautifully, like you always do!
Oh I love this story.
I love what you did with it, reading only a section makes me look at it from a different angle.
What a lovely metaphor.