Once upon a time...

Remember the theory about the film Grease? (see 5th June).  Well someone has come up with a similar take on the Snow White story.  It's generally accepted that the brothers Grimm did not invent the stories which bear their name, but rather wrote down stories which were already in circulation - stories which usually had some basis in fact.  The Snow White story is said to be based on the life of Margaretha von Waldeck, who was the daughter of a wealthy copper-miner who - as was common at the time - used child labour in his mines - hence the dwarves.  She was well liked, and when she died aged 21 just before she was due to be married stories about her began to circulate,  Prince Charming in this version of the story became the Angel of Death (notice he's always riding a white horse?  If you know your Bible you will know that Death rides a pale horse), and his kiss was the kiss of Death.  Think I prefer the Disney version.