“Someday my prince will come.”

“Hey! Knock off that racket. You know we hate your singin’.”

“Oh, Grumpy. I think it’s kinda nice.”

“You would, Happy. You’re nice to everybody.”

“Now, boys. Let Snow have her fantasies. Her prince could come.”

“Sure, Doc. And we won’t need to work in the mines anymore.”

“Now Grumpy, you’re just sayin’ that. You like working in the mines findin’ gold and silver and jewels. It’s what gives a dwarf pleasure. Gotta keep workin’ in the mine.”

“I suppose you’re right Dopey. Maybe.”

“Ah choo!”

“What about you two? Bashful? Sleepy? Anything to say about Snow’s fantasy? About her prince coming?”

“Ah shucks. I don’t know.”

Sleepy just snorted with his eyes closed.

Snow White sighed. “Maybe you’re right Grumpy. Maybe it is just wishful thinking. Maybe I do sing off key. Maybe this is the best-case scenario for me. Being taken care of by all of you and taking care of all of you. Maybe my prince will never come.”

Snow White went to her bedroom and cried herself to sleep.

***

Her prince did come though. He knocked quietly at the cottage door when Snow White was sleeping peacefully. Grumpy answered the door.

“Whaddaya want?”

“Sorry sir. I was just told that a fair maiden was here with seven dwarfs who were taking care of her.”

“Yeah. She’s here, but she gave up on you ever coming. She’s happy as a clam taking care of us while we take care of her. See ya.” Grumpy closed the door.

The seven dwarfs looked out the window to see whether the prince would try again. But he just stood there looking at the door for a moment. Like he was playing out the scene in his head again. Then, he turned and mounted his trusty steed and rode away, never to be seen again.