and then . . .

After Snow White and her Prince were wedded quite divine,

The dwarves went back a-toiling underground deep in their mine.

Snow White had told them, each one, that she never could forget

How they had nursed her faithfully and she was in their debt.

And so the years, they trickled past, as years are wont to do

Until the dwarves lost all their teeth and could not work – or chew.

Hungry, broke, and dispossessed of all they had acquired

They thought of Snow White's promises and to her place retired.

It was a castle very grand with footmen and gargoyles

And soldiers with fierce battleaxe and Frenchmen with their foils.

A butler looked upon the dwarves and gave a mighty sneer.

He took them to the kitchen for black bread and lukewarm beer.

"We'd like to see Snow White" the dwarves called to the butler's back,

But he made no reply except to say "Enjoy your snack."

Left alone, the dwarves began to wonder what was wrong,

When they heard a voice begin a dainty little song.

A pretty girl, whose raven hair looked so much like Snow White,

Came in and saw the seven dwarves and ran away in fright.

Soon the soldiers of Snow White came crashing in, swords drawing,

And placed the dwarves in durance vile, where filthy crows were cawing.

The judge pronounced his sentence quick – he was a bearded Rooshin.

For scaring Snow White's little girl they would face execution.

But just before the trap was sprung Snow White sent several letters,

Pardoning the seven dwarves but keeping them in fetters.

In the kitchen they now work, boiling lard and flour.

They have yet to see Snow White but sure have felt her power.

An elephant may not forget, but people aren't so firm;

Their memory is fickle, quite unlike the pachyderm.

You might trust their intuition and their sense of charity

But never place your trust in any person's memory.

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