The Snow King
The Snow King The Snow King Once, long ago in winter, in a cold, cold land there lived a poor man and his two daughters. Their home was a small wooden house near the forest, far away from the towns and cities. Katya, the younger daughter, was happy to work in the house, cleaning and cooking for her father and sister. But Ivanka, the elder daughter, was not satisfied. She wished for a rich husband, servants, and a castle to live in. And although the poor man went out every day to find work, ther
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The Snow King
The Snow King
Once, long ago in winter, in a cold, cold land there lived a poor man and his two daughters.Their home was a small wooden house near the forest, far away from the towns and cities.
Katya, the younger daughter, was happy to work in the house, cleaning and cooking for her father and sister.But Ivanka, the elder daughter, was not satisfied.She wished for a rich husband, servants, and a castle to live in.And although the poor man went out every day to find work, there was little work to be found.It was hard to earn enough to buy food.
Ivanka was a great beauty and her father longed to dress her in rich furs and beaded cloaks.But Ivanka's heart was as cold as ice. She sat by the fire, dreaming of riches.Katya, the younger daughter, did all the housework.
One day the snow fell and fell. It lay on the ground and on the roof, thick and heavy.
"Father," said Katya. "Won't you stay in today and keep warm?"
"And then what would we do for food?" cried Ivanka.
"Keep the fire burning until I return," called the poor man, as once more he went out to find work.
When their father had gone, Katya went out into the snow to collect wood, but Ivanka just sat by the fire.
Katya cleaned the little house, and prepared the food for when their father came home, but Ivanka just sat by the fire.
All day she sat and dreamed, while Katya cleaned and washed and cooked.
But then a great storm came.The wind blew the snow through the cracks in the wooden walls and through gaps in the windows.It blew snow under the door and across the floor.
All day, as the snow settled around her, Ivanka sat dreaming by the fire.
And then the wind blew ice and snow down the chimney.The fire spluttered and went out. The house quickly grew cold and dark.
At last Ivanka wrapped a warm shawl around her and left the cold fireside.
"Katya!" cried Ivanka. "Fetch more wood. Quickly!You must get the fire burning again, before father returns."
So Katya wrapped her old grey cloak around her, opened the door and struggled out into the deep snow.
The cold wind blew. Snow soaked through her cloak as Katya gathered wood among the trees of the forest.
