I'm Keith Morrison, and this is episode two of Hans Christian Anderson's, The Snow Queen.

Our heroine, Gerida, is on a desperate quest to find her best friend Kay.

Her search has centered down a rushing river far away from home and everything she knows.

She is frightened, of course she is, but determined

too. She has spotted a small house on the riverbank, and she's cried out for help, hoping someone

inside that little place can save her. And now, an old woman has emerged, and she casts her beady eyes on Gerda.

Who is this strange woman, friend, or foe?

Here again is the Snow Queen by Anne's Christian Anderson.

She wore a large hat to shade her from the sun, painted with all sorts of pretty flowers.

You poor little child, said the old woman,

"'how did you manage to come all this distance into the wide world

"'on such a fast-flowing stream?'

"'And then the old woman walked into the water

"'and seized the boat with her crutch and drew it to land

"'and lifted little Gerta out.

Gerta was glad to feel herself on dry ground again, although she was rather afraid of the

strange old woman. Come and tell me who you are, the old lady said, and how you came here?

Then Gertrida told her everything, but the old woman shook her head and made sympathetic sounds.

When she had finished, Gertrida asked if she had seen Kay, and the old woman told her he

had not passed by that way, but he very likely would come. She told Gerda not to be sad, but to taste the

cherries and look at the flowers. They were better than any picture book, for each of them could

tell a story. And then the old woman took Gerda by the hand, led her into the little house,

...