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a fool；〃 screamed the dwarf。 〃Don't you see that cursed
fish is trying to drag me in？〃 The little man had been
sitting on the bank fishing； when unfortunately the wind
had entangled his beard in the line； and when immediately
afterward a big fish bit； the feeble little creature had no
strength to pull it out； the fish had the upper fin； and
dragged the dwarf toward him。 He clung on with all his
might to every rush and blade of grass； but it didn't help
him much； he had to follow every movement of the fish；
and was in great danger of being drawn into the water。
The girls came up just at the right moment； held him
firm； and did all they could to disentangle his beard from
the line； but in vain； beard and line were in a hopeless
muddle。 Nothing remained but to produce the scissors
and cut the beard； by which a small part of it was sacrificed。
When the dwarf perceived what they were about he
yelled to them： 〃Do you call that manners； you toad…
stools！ to disfigure a fellow's face？ It wasn't enough that
you shortened my beard before； but you must now needs
cut off the best bit of it。 I can't appear like this before
my own people。 I wish you'd been in Jericho first。〃 Then
he fetched a sack of pearls that lay among the rushes； and
without saying another word he dragged it away and
disappeared behind a stone。
It happened that soon after this the mother sent the
two girls to the town to buy needles； thread； laces； and
ribbons。 Their road led over a heath where huge boulders
of rock lay scattered here and there。 While trudging
along they saw a big bird hovering in the air； circling
slowly above them； but always descending lower； till at
last it settled on a rock not far from them。 Immediately
afterward they heard a sharp； piercing cry。 They ran
forward； and saw with horror that the eagle had pounced
on their old friend the dwarf； and was about to carry him
off。 The tender…hearted children seized hold of the little
man； and struggled so long with the bird that at last he
let go his prey。 When the dwarf had recovered from the
first shock he screamed in his screeching voice： 〃Couldn't
you have treated me more carefully？ You have torn my
thin little coat all to shreds； useless； awkward hussies that
you are！〃 Then he took a bag of precious stones and
vanished under the rocks into his cave。 The girls were
accustomed to his ingratitude； and went on their way and
did their business in town。 On their way home； as they
were again passing the heath； they surprised the dwarf
pouring out his precious stones on an open space； for he
had thought no one would pass by at so late an hour。 The
evening sun shone on the glittering stones； and they
glanced and gleamed so beautifully that the children stood
still and gazed on them。 〃What are you standing there
gaping for？〃 screamed the dwarf； and his ashen…gray face
became scarlet with rage。 He was about to go off with
these angry words when a sudden growl was heard； and
a black bear trotted out of the wood。 The dwarf jumped
up in great fright； but he hadn't time to reach his place of
retreat； for the bear was already close to him。 Then he
cried in terror： 〃Dear Mr。 Bear； spare me！ I'll give you
all my treasure。 Look at those beautiful precious stones
lying there。 Spare my life！ what pleasure would you get
from a poor feeble little fellow like me？ You won't feel
me between your teeth。 There； lay hold of these two
wicked girls； they will be a tender morsel for you； as fat
as young quails； eat them up； for heaven's sake。〃 But the
bear； paying no attention to his words； gave the evil little
creature one blow with his paw； and he never moved
again。
The girls had run away； but the bear called after them：
〃Snow…white and Rose…red； don't be afraid； wait； and
I'll come with you。〃 Then they recognized his voice and
stood still； and when the bear was quite close to them his
skin suddenly fell off； and a beautiful man stood beside
them； all dressed in gold。 〃I am a king's son；〃 he said；
〃and have been doomed by that unholy little dwarf； who
had stolen my treasure； to roam about the woods as a
wild bear till his death should set me free。 Now he has
got his well…merited punishment。〃
Snow…white married him； and Rose…red his brother； and
they divided the great treasure the dwarf had collected
in his cave between them。 The old mother lived for many
years peacefully with her children； and she carried the
two rose trees with her； and they stood in front of her
window； and every year they bore the finest red and white
roses。＇1＇
＇1＇ Grimm。