The Fairy Tale Parables

Then seven of her tormentors came to her privately and pulled off their hoods, revealing their true selves to Rose Red. Suddenly she knew them for who they really were, seven small servants that she had assumed were of little consequence. Yet these seven dwarfs had faithfully served their master for years beyond count. Under the hood of Persecution was “Goodness”; under Hardship was “Gentleness”; beneath Trouble was “Peace”; from Waiting came “Patience”; Sorrow brought “Joy”; beneath Trial was “Hope”; and under Sacrifice was “Love.”

As they stood before her, they bowed. “We’ve been sent by the king to come to you so that you might be made ready.” After they took the body of the prince and laid him by in a glass coffin, they then began to care for her as she wept. And any time the true servants of Adikema came to accost Rose Red, the seven dwarfs surrounded her and gave her strength and courage to stand against them, though all seemed lost to her and the victory of Adikema seemed complete.