5 valuable lessons we can learn from 'Snow White'

MANILA, Philippines — Fairytales that we grew up with are more than simple stories that entertain and amuse us. Aside from fostering imagination and creativity, these stories have a great share of lessons, too.

They tell about the servant who turned princess named Cinderella who taught us to be kind and patient amid the adversities of life as well as of the beautiful, kind-hearted Belle who reminded us that beauty comes in every form.

And who's not familiar with the girl as white as snow who falls into a deep sleep after taking a bite of a poisoned apple given by an evil queen?

For those who grew up loving the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the lessons from the story continue to be a constant companion in life. Here are a few things that kids of all ages can learn from this classic fairytale:

1. It's wonderful to have friends.

When Snow White had nowhere else to go, she was welcomed in the humble abode of the seven dwarfs – Scrubber, Blubber, Scotty, Flubber, Pepito, Mosquito, and Fred. These little creatures embraced her like one of their own.

2. You can appeal to the goodness in everyone.

When the Evil Queen ordered the woodsman to kill Snow White, he failed, not because he was incapable but because Snow White appealed to the goodness in him.

Snow White believed that deep inside, the woodsman is capable of kindness. Snow White was right, there's goodness in each and every one of us.

3. Insecurities doesn't justify your mean attitude.

Every time the queen asks the Magic Mirror, "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" and she gets her most dreaded answer, "Snow White," she goes into a deep rage.

Everyone has insecurities. It's how they deal with it. The queen deals with it by being mean. In the end, the queen still failed because anything rooted in evil never wins.

4. Don't talk to strangers (and don't let them in your house).

When the woodsman failed to kill Snow White, the queen decided to do it herself by disguising as an old woman. Despite the dwarfs' advice to her, Snow White's golden heart still prevailed. She talked to the old woman, accepted the apple she offered, and fell into a deep sleep.

When in doubt, always remember what the dwarfs told Snow White, "Don't talk to strangers and don't let them in your house." It's better to be safe than sorry.

5. Real beauty comes from within.

Driven by jealousy, the Evil Queen had to kill Snow White to become the "fairest of them all." But despite her many attempts, the queen never succeeded because the Magic Mirror recognizes Snow White's beauty — both on the outside and most importantly, from the inside.

The queen was not and will never be as beautiful as Snow White not because she's less attractive but because her heart is not as pure.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be staged from August 15 to December 10, 2015 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati City. For more details on the play, call the Repertory Philippines at 843-3570 and book tickets through TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit their website at www.ticketworld.com.ph.