CINDERELLA

CINDERELLA

   Once, there was a gentleman whose wife had died after a prolonged illness. He had a beautiful and sweet-natured daughter named Cinderella. The gentleman married again, but second wife was a cruel and haughty woman. She had two daughters from her earlier marriage. 

    Cinderella's stepmother was rude to her and made her do all the household chores. She was treated harshly by her stepsisters also. They always bullied her and never thanked her for what she did for them.

    One day, a messenger came with an invitation to a royal ball from the Prince Cinderella's stepmother told her daughters excitedly, 'It will be a grand ball girls! You must wear your finest dresses.' Cinderella's stepsisters were very excited and started preparing for the ball.

    Cinderella too wished to attend the ball. 'Am I invited too?' asked Cinderella. 'You will never be invited to a royal ball. Just look at yourself,' shouted her stepmother. The finest silks were purchased from which Cinderella made ball gowns for her sisters. She worked from morning till night and soon the beautiful gowns were ready.

   At last, the day of the ball arrived. Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters left for the ball dressed magnificently. When she saw them leave, Cinderella sighed, 'I wish I could go to the ball too.'

   Cinderella was very sad. She rushed to the attic crying bitterly. Suddenly, there was a flash of light. A lovely fairy appeared and said, 'I am your Fairy Godmother. Why are you crying, my child?' 'I want to attend the royal ball,' replied Cinderella. 'You shall go to the ball,' said Fairy Godmother.

    'But how? Look at my clothes,' cried Cinderella. 'Get up dear and do as I say,' said Fairy Godmother. 'Fetch me a pumpkin from the garden and four mice that you will find in the trap. Also, get me a frog from the garden pond.' Cinderella rushed to the garden and returned with all the things.

    Fairy Godmother touched them with her magic wand. the pumpkin became a shing coach, the mic became four fine horses and the frog changed into a coachman! Cinderella was pleasantly surprised to see all this.

    Next, Fairly Godmother touch Cinderella with her wand and change her old, torn clothes into a beautiful gown! Then, she gave Cinderella a pair of pretty glass slippers.'Well, my child, now you are ready to go to the ball,' said she.

    As Cinderella sat in the carriage, Fairy Godmother cautioned her, 'Child, remember to leave the ball before midnight, for then, my magic will run out.'

   Cinderella promised that she would return before midnight. She thanked Fairy Godmother and left for the ball.

    When Cinderella entered the ball room everyone was fascinated by her beauty. her stpmother and stepsister did not recognise her at all!

   The Prince fell in love with her. Cinderella happily danced only with the Prince, but forgot about her promise to Fairy Godmother. Soon the clock began to strike twelve!

   When Cinderella heard the clock strike twelve, she rushed out from the ballroom. As she ran down the stairway, one of her glass slippers fell off her feet. She didn't stop and hurried away in her carriage. The Prince stood there in shock, holding her glass slipper in his hand.

   By the time Cinderella reached home her dress had changed back to rags and the carriage was gone! When her stepsisters returned with their mother she asked. 'How was the ball?' 'Oh, it was magnificent but the Prince danced only with a very beautiful Princess,' replied her stepsisters.

   Meanwhile, the Prince wanted to find the beautiful girl with whom he had danced. Then the Prince thought of a solution. A proclamation was made that the Prince would marry the girl whose foot would fit the glass slipper.

   Soon, a minister was sent around the kingdom with the glass slipper. Finally, the Minister came to Cinderella's house. The stepsisters tied foot in, but could not. Then the minister noticed Cinderella standing in one corner and asked her to try the glass slipper on. Her stepsisters laughed at this.

   The Minister exclaimed, 'The slipper fits her!' Everybody was surprised! Cinderella took out the other glass slipper and wore it. Just then, Fairy Godmother appeared and turned Cinderella's clothes into the beautiful gown that she worn at the palace! The next day, Cinderella was married to the Prince and the were happy.