Once Upon
a Deaf Time

​The Cursed Bear & Twin Sisters

Based on Snow White & Rose Red by Brothers Grimm

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Deep in the snowy woods lived a mother and twins. The twins were as different as night and day. Snow White had hair nearly as white as the snow and fair skin. She loved doing housework and reading and her desire was to be a perfect wife someday. Rose Red, on the other hand, longed for adventure. She had hair as black as midnight and lips that were the deepest red. She was outspoken and cheerful, oftentimes being found outside and to the detriment of her mother, her skin darkened the more she was outside.

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But just as they were different, they were alike. Both girls were deaf. Their mother taught them sign language and since they lived in the woods, they often came up with their own signs, or home signs, as they called them. But their mother also taught them how to read lips so that if they ever moved away, they could communicate with the hearing.

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Both girls were very good girls and loved their mother dearly. Since Rose Red loved to be outdoors, she often hunted for food and then Snow White would bake the most delicious meals.

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Rose Red loved their life, but she still longed for adventure. She would often have Snow White sign the stories she was reading at night in front of the fire – and they always told of far off places and magic.

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One winter night, their mother motioned to them that someone was knocking at the door. As Snow White was reading and their mother was sewing, Rose Red stood to get the door. She opened it and shut the door immediately. There was a bear on the other side!

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She turned to her mother and sister, signing, “It’s a bear!” She shivered.

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“Is he okay?” Her mother asked.

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“Well, I didn’t ask.”

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“Don’t be impolite, Rose Red.” Her mother’s scolding finger reminded Rose Red of her manners. She opened the door again to see the bear turned away.

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Tapping his shoulder, she motioned for him to wait. He turned and said, “Don’t be afraid.” Rose Red smiled at his words and indicated that she was deaf and then motioned him inside. Their mother put aside her sewing and stood.

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“Welcome, bear,” she interpreted for Rose Red. “How can we help you?”

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“I’m half frozen and I saw your cabin with the fire. Could I warm up in front of the fire for a few minutes?”

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The ladies nodded and he went to lay down in front of the fire. Rose Red beat the snow off the bear and then signed to Snow White.

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“Continue, sister.” She signed. Before she could, the bear asked why they didn’t talk. “We’re both deaf.” Rose Red stated, the mother interpreting. “Do you like the story about Camelot? Snow White is doing a signed story.”

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“I do. What’s a signed story?” He asked, curious. She simply smiled and nodded for Snow White to continue. Snow White did, albeit a little stiffer, as she wasn’t used to signing before an audience. As she became lost in the story, her signs were bigger and more exaggerated, taking on the characters she was portraying.

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Finally, she finished, standing to take a little bow when the bear clapped.

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“Wow!” He said. “I didn’t even need to the words to understand the story. I understood just what you were showing!” Snow White blushed at his compliment. “Can you teach me some signs?” He asked. The twins smiled and they began his first lesson in learning sign language.

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The bear stayed the night and left first thing in the morning. Rose Red talked about the fun she had teaching the bear sign language last night. Snow White nodded, but didn’t interrupt her gregarious sister whose hands were flying as she tried to contain her excitement.

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“Do you think he’ll come back?” She asked, finally quieting down.

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“I think he will. It’ll be cold again tonight and he did seem to enjoy the story.” Snow White said practically as she chopped up the pineapple her mother had bought at the market. They’d never tried it before, but she thought it’s golden color and tart flavor would pair well with a cake.

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“What are you making?” Rose Red’s quizzical expression startled Snow White out of her thoughts.

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“A cake with pineapple on it.” She held out a piece of pineapple for her sister to try. Rose Red grabbed it and popped it into her mouth. Her face turned into a sour expression. “It’s a little tart!” Snow White smiled. “But I think it will be good with a sweet cake.”

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Rose Red smiled and grabbed another piece. This time she didn’t make that face. “It’s pretty good though!” She looked outside. “I’m going to try to catch a rabbit for stew. I’ll be back soon!”

 

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