Fearless Fables: Snow White and the Seven Burnouts

As part of our Fearless Fables series, we’ve brought classic bedtime stories into the 21st Century. We discovered that 47% of adult Brits are still scared of the dark, and what better way to send ourselves off to the land of nod? With a good bedtime story of course!

In this Fearless Fable, we retell the story of Snow White and The Seven Dwarves. But what if instead of industrious workers, the dwarves were a motley crew of characters with distinct personalities and a penchant for chaos?

Bedtime stories for adults: Snow White and the Seven Burnouts

In a peaceful little cottage nestled in the woods, Snow White lived with seven dwarves. They weren’t your average dwarves; they were a motley crew of characters with distinct personalities and a penchant for chaos. Bashful, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Dopey, Doc, and Sneezy were like a whirlwind of energy, leaving a trail of clutter, noise, and utter disarray in their wake. Snow White adored her housemates, but after a long day of chores, their constant demands for attention made her feel like a juggler at a circus, teetering on the edge of collapse.

Every morning, Snow White woke up to the sound of the dwarves bickering over breakfast. “I want the biggest pancake!” cried Happy, while Grumpy grumbled about how nobody ever took his side. Meanwhile, Sleepy dozed off in his chair, completely oblivious to the breakfast chaos. By the time the dishes were washed, the floor was swept, and the laundry was done, Snow White was running on fumes.

As the day unfolded, the dwarves would buzz around the house like busy bees. They’d ask her to find their lost socks, cook their favourite meals, and help with their various whims. “Can you help me fix my pickaxe, Snow White?” called Doc. “Can we have pie for dinner?” shouted Sneezy. “You never play with us anymore!” whined Dopey.

While she loved them dearly, Snow White felt increasingly suffocated by their constant neediness. Her cosy cottage had become a cacophony of demands and chaos. Nights were the worst; after the dwarves finally settled down, she lay awake, her mind racing with the day’s events.

One evening, after a particularly hectic day of refereeing disputes and mending pickaxes, Snow White curled up on the couch with a cup of chamomile tea. “I just need some peace,” she sighed, looking around at her vibrant, but tumultuous home. “I need…space.”

The words hung in the air, and she realised how crucial it was to establish boundaries. That night, she decided to take action. The next morning, as the dwarves busily bustled around the breakfast table, Snow White cleared her throat.

“Listen up, everyone!” she said, gaining their attention. “I love living with you all, but I need to talk about something important.”

The dwarves looked at her curiously, their breakfast forgotten for a moment.

“I need some time for myself. I feel a bit overwhelmed, and I think we should all respect each other’s space. If I have a little quiet time, I’ll be much happier—and you’ll all benefit from that too!”

A collective silence enveloped the room, and then a chorus of understanding arose. “That makes sense!” exclaimed Happy. “We all have our busy days.” Grumpy nodded begrudgingly, “Yeah, I suppose even I could use a nap now and then.”

From that day forward, Snow White implemented ‘quiet hours’ in the cottage. She took time for herself, indulging in her hobbies, reading, and relaxing in the garden. The dwarves learned to occupy themselves, and, surprisingly, they began to respect the boundaries she’d set.

As the weeks passed, Snow White found her spirit rejuvenated. Each night, she drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep, comforted by the newfound harmony in their home. The chaos transformed into a vibrant, joyful energy that felt manageable.

One evening, as she lay in bed, she heard the dwarves laughing in the living room. Instead of feeling drained, she felt grateful. Snow White had learned that asking for space didn’t mean she loved them any less; it simply made her love for them stronger.

And so, in the cosy cottage in the woods, Snow White thrived alongside the seven dwarves—each embracing their quirks while knowing the importance of a good night’s sleep and a little space.

Sleep better with our Fearless Fables bedtime stories for adults

We think we know we all need to take some time for ourselves. We may not live with seven rambunctious dwarves, but the stresses of kids, pets, work and social lives can wear us out. 

We all need a safe, relaxing space to escape the modern world, and our bedrooms are just that. Explore our range of beds and bedroom furniture to create the perfect haven in your home. If you’re still struggling to sleep, head over to our Sleep Hub for expert tips and advice

Do you want more Fearless Fables? Then check out Sleeping Beauty and The Quest for Rest or Cinderella and the Courage to Shine.