Cinderella
Once upon a time there lived
an unhappy young girl. Her mother was dead and her father had married a widow
with two daughters. Her stepmother didn't like her at all. She had to work hard
all day. Only when evening came was she allowed to sit for a while by the fire,
near the cinders. That’s why everybody called her Cinderella.
One day, beautiful new
dresses arrived at the house. A ball was to be held at the palace and the
stepsisters were getting ready to go. Cinderella didn't even dare ask if she
could go too. She knew very well what the answer would be: “You? You're staying
at home to wash the dishes, scrub the floors and turn down the beds for your
stepsisters.” They will come home tired and very sleepy. Cinderella sighed, “Oh
dear, I'm so unhappy!” and the cat murmured “Miaow.” The fairy smiled. With a flick of her magic wand Cinderella found herself
wearing the most beautiful dress she had ever seen. “Now for your coach,” said
the fairy; "A real lady would never go to a ball on foot! Quick! Get me a
pumpkin!” “Oh of course,” said Cinderella, rushing away. Then the fairy turned
to the cat. “You, bring me seven mice, and, remember they must be alive!”
Cinderella soon returned with the pumpkin and the cat with seven mice he
had caught in the cellar. With a flick of the magic wand the pumpkin turned
into a sparkling coach and the mice became six white horses, while the seventh
mouse turned into a coachman in a smart uniform and carrying a whip. Cinderella
could hardly believe her eyes. The
fairy asked Cinderella to go to ball but she had to be back before mid-night.
Cinderella had a wonderful time at the ball until she heard the first
stroke of midnight! She remembered what the fairy had said, and without a word
of goodbye she slipped from the Prince’s arms and ran down the steps. As she
ran she lost one of her slippers,... oh... what a disaster that would be! Out
she fled and vanished into the night.
The Prince, who was now madly in love with her, picked up the slipper and
said to his ministers, “Go and search everywhere for the girl whose foot this
slipper fits. I will never be content until I find her!” So the ministers tried
the slipper on the foot of every girl in the land. Till they reach Cinderella’s
place and tried the shoes on all the girls’ foot. No one fit. But, to
everyone’s amazement, the shoe fitted perfectly. Finally the
prince married Cinderella and they live happily.
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