Cinderella

Once upon a time, there lived a kind and beautiful girl named Cinderella. After her mother passed away, her father married a woman with two daughters. Sadly, her father soon passed away too, leaving Cinderella with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters.

They made Cinderella do all the housework. She swept the floors, washed the dishes, and slept by the fireplace among the cinders—which is how she got her name.

One day, an invitation arrived from the palace. The King was hosting a grand ball so the Prince could find a bride. Everyone in the kingdom was invited!

"May I go to the ball?" asked Cinderella hopefully.

Her stepsisters laughed cruelly. "You? In those rags? Certainly not!"

On the night of the ball, Cinderella watched sadly as her stepfamily left in their fine gowns. She sat alone and began to cry.

Suddenly, a warm light filled the room. A kind woman appeared, surrounded by sparkles.

"Don't cry, my dear," she said. "I am your Fairy Godmother, and you SHALL go to the ball!"

With a wave of her wand, she transformed a pumpkin into a golden coach, mice into horses, and Cinderella's rags into the most beautiful gown anyone had ever seen. On her feet appeared delicate glass slippers.

"Remember," warned the Fairy Godmother, "the magic ends at midnight!"

At the ball, everyone wondered who the mysterious princess was. The Prince danced only with Cinderella all night long. She was so happy she nearly forgot the time.

BONG! The clock began to strike midnight!

"I must go!" cried Cinderella, running down the palace steps. In her hurry, she lost one glass slipper.

The Prince picked up the slipper. "I will find her," he declared. "I will marry the girl whose foot fits this slipper."

He searched the entire kingdom. Finally, he came to Cinderella's house. The stepsisters tried to squeeze their feet into the slipper, but it was no use.

"Is there anyone else?" asked the Prince.

"Only Cinderella," laughed the stepmother, "but she's just a servant girl."

"Everyone must try," insisted the Prince.

Cinderella slipped her foot into the glass slipper. It fit perfectly!

The Prince recognized her at once. "It's you! Will you marry me?"

"Yes," said Cinderella, her heart full of joy.

And they lived happily ever after.

The End