Write to Win: Which fairy tale character would you want to be, and how would you change the story? (Round 5)

If I were a character in a fairy tale, I would certainly choose the blackhearted stepmother in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

In this reimagined version, the infamous mirror would become a powerful tool for accurately predicting future global events. My stepdaughter and I would lead an efficient rescue team. Thanks to the mirror, orphans, innocent prisoners, victims of disasters, and the elderly suffering from loneliness could be saved or cured from their detestable situations.

In addition, the poisonous apple would be transformed into a cure for untreatable diseases. Imagine a cancer patient being miraculously healed by simply taking a bite of the apple. The apple juice produced from the apple could also treat other potentially fatal illnesses.

The new story would serve as an educational tale about unity and compassion instead of envy and vanity.

Puss from Puss in Boots is an intelligent cat who helps his master escape poverty and become a prince. I like Puss very much, but I want to change some of his actions in this fairy tale.

Is it really so important to be a VIP? We often hear news about important people getting murdered. Helping the main character become a prince puts him in grave danger because rivals may murder him. So why not just live an everyday life?

If I were Puss, I would first help the main character meet his basic needs. At the same time, I would give him what he really needs – a friend. The main character lost his parents and was very sad. If I were Puss, I would be his friend and chat with him. It is very important to have a friend who listens to you when you are feeling low.

If I were Cinderella, I would fire back at my stepmother and two stepsisters while conserving my kind heart.

While dancing with the prince, I would tell him everything I’ve experienced. He would be empathetic and believe every word I said, agreeing with my plan to get vengeance. After the party, he would invite my stepmother and two stepsisters to stay over. Instead of taking them to the guest room and offering them premium treatment, the prince would take them to the basement. I would ask them to clean endlessly, letting them get a taste of their own medicine.

A few days later, my stepsisters and stepmother would genuinely apologise for what they had done to me. I would not be stone-hearted, and I wouldn’t want to torture them. I would return home and live with them again afterwards, and we would finally have a sense of togetherness and belonging.

Banana: I would most definitely be the father in the classic tale Hansel and Gretel. If I were the father, I would firmly reject the idea of abandoning my children instead of weakly submitting to the stepmother’s wishes. I would explore alternative solutions to deserting my children in the forest, emphasising the concept of togetherness, solidarity, and being one.

Moreover, I would accompany Hansel and Gretel into the forest to cut wood. A caring parent couldn’t bear having their children venture into the woods alone. I would join them in sawing down the tree, allowing us to enjoy each other’s company and strengthen our bonds. I would also find a new partner who truly cares about me and my children. We would overcome the infamous witch’s trap with unity and perseverance, conveying the message that family will always have your back.

As a character in a fairy tale, I would like to embody the Giant’s wife in Jack and the Beanstalk, challenging the story’s conventional narrative. In this classic tale, the giant couple is wrongfully vilified despite being victims of theft and murder. It is perplexing that Jack, a burglar and killer, is celebrated as a hero for young readers.

In my retelling, the Giant and his wife will emerge as the actual protagonists, with Jack as the villain. My version would teach a valuable lesson against theft. As the Giant’s wife, my approach would be deceptive hospitality. Upon discovering the theft of our gold, I would cunningly offer Jack refuge from the Giant’s wrath. Yet, my true intent would be to ensnare him in an oven trap.

The story would conclude with Jack trapped atop the beanstalk, never to descend – a cautionary ending that would imprint the perils of greed and the virtue of honesty on young minds.

The tale of Hansel and Gretel concludes with Gretel seeking revenge by baking the witch. I would retell this story with deeper themes of resilience and forgiveness by taking on the role of Gretel.

Instead of perpetuating assumptions about who is wrong, my version of the story would have a transformative moment. The witch, once filled with hatred, would learn the power of forgiveness and not threaten the siblings.

This would emphasise the importance of unity in the face of conflict and challenge the traditional notions of heroes and villains. I want to teach children the moral value of not blindly assigning blame but rather, understanding that everyone has flaws. Then, the story could truly end with “happily ever after”.