Cinderella and the Glass Slipper

Once upon a time, there was a kind girl who lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters. The stepsisters wore silk dresses and slept in soft beds. But the kind girl had to scrub the floors, wash the dishes, and sleep by the kitchen fire, among the ashes. So her stepsisters called her Cinderella. Still, Cinderella was gentle and kind to everyone, even to the sisters who were unkind to her.

One day, a letter came from the palace. The king's son was having a grand ball, and everyone was invited! The stepsisters were so excited. "I shall wear my red velvet!" said one. "I shall wear my gold flowers!" said the other. Cinderella helped them curl their hair and tie their ribbons. "Cinderella, wouldn't you like to go to the ball?" they teased. "Ha! Imagine the girl from the ashes at the palace!"

When they had gone, Cinderella sat by the fire and cried softly. Suddenly, the kitchen filled with a silver light. There stood her godmother, who was a fairy. "You wish you could go to the ball, don't you?" she asked kindly. "Oh, yes," sighed Cinderella. "Then dry your eyes," said the godmother. "Run to the garden, and bring me the biggest pumpkin you can find."

Cinderella brought the pumpkin. The godmother touched it with her wand, and, swish, it became a shining golden coach! Six little mice from the mousetrap became six fine white horses. A fat rat became a coachman with grand whiskers, and six lizards from the garden became six footmen. Then the godmother touched Cinderella, and her old dress turned into a gown of silver and green, as bright as the stars. On her feet were two tiny slippers made of glass.

"Have a wonderful time," said the godmother. "But remember: at midnight, the magic will end." At the palace, everyone stopped and stared. "Who is that lovely lady?" they whispered. Even the stepsisters did not know her. The prince bowed and asked her to dance. They danced, and talked, and laughed together all evening. Cinderella was so happy, she forgot all about the time.

Bong! The great clock began to strike twelve. "Oh no!" cried Cinderella. She ran out of the ballroom and down the palace steps. Bong, bong, bong! As she ran, one little glass slipper fell from her foot. She had no time to pick it up. By the last bong, she was wearing her old dress again, and her coach was just a pumpkin rolling down the road. But the prince found the glass slipper on the steps, and he held it carefully.

The next day, the prince said, "I will find the lady whose foot fits this slipper." His messengers went from house to house. At Cinderella's house, the first stepsister pushed and pushed, but her foot was too big. The second stepsister squeezed and squeezed, but her foot was too big too. "May I try?" asked Cinderella softly. The sisters laughed. But the slipper slid onto her foot as easily as a glove. And then she took the other slipper out of her apron pocket!

The stepsisters fell on their knees. "Please forgive us for being so unkind," they said. And Cinderella, who had the kindest heart of all, hugged them and said, "I forgive you with all my heart." Soon the prince and Cinderella were married. Cinderella invited her stepsisters to live at the palace too, and they learned to be kind. And everyone lived happily ever after. Good night.