Once upon a time, in a land far away, lived a girl named Cinderella. Her mother died and her father remarried. Her step mother was a widow with two daughters around the age of Cinderella. They were all unkind. While they wore beautiful dresses and sat around all day eating sweets and goodies, Cinderella had to wear an old tattered dress and clean and scrub. Cinderella was forced to sleep in the tiny loft above the house.
Cinderella’s step sisters were jealous of Cinderella. Even though they dressed in the finest clothes, they were awkward, clumsy and not very pretty. Cinderella, however, dressed in worn out hand me downs and was graceful and lovely.
One spring morning the most elegant dresses arrived at their home. The dresses were to be worn by Cinderella’s step mother and ugly step sisters for a ball that evening at the palace. The King was holding the ball in behalf of his son Prince Charming. Prince Charming was to find a woman worthy to become his Princess. While Cinderella’s ugly step sisters went to the ball, Cinderella had to stay home to clean and scrub.
Cinderella sat crying. She wanted desperately to attend the magnificent ball. Suddenly a light came into the room and the most wonderful thing happened. A plump friendly faced fairy appeared in front of her. "I am your Fairy Godmother, Cinderella. You, my dear, are going to the ball." "Oh no, fairy godmother, I couldn’t. Look at me. I don’t have anything to wear!"
Then with a twist of her magic wand, Cinderella stood before her in a soft blue and white gown. Her hair was clean and styled and her hands arms were covered with long white gloves."Come with me Cinderella." Cinderella followed her fairy godmother outside. Again, with a twist of her magic wand she turned a pumpkin into an elegant carriage and mice into horses and a horseman. "Get inside Cinderella, this carriage will take you to the ball." "Now remember, you must be home before the stroke of midnight or this carriage will turn back into a pumpkin." "Oh I will fairy godmother, thank you so much!" Away Cinderella went to the ball.
When entering the ball Cinderella could not believe her eyes. Everywhere she looked there were people dressed in beautiful gowns and handsome suits. The band played the most wonderful music she had ever heard. Standing on the balcony was the handsome prince. He was discouraged because he had danced with many girls that night but not one had impressed him. Suddenly he saw Cinderella. He could not take his eyes off her. Making his way down the staircase he caught Cinderella’s eyes and smiled at her. Bowing majestically before her, he asked her if she would dance with him and then reached out his hand to her. Smiling back Cinderella answered "Why yes, I would love to."
Prince Charming and Cinderella danced gracefully around the dance floor. Everyone watched and wondered who the beautiful girl was that Prince Charming was dancing with. Suddenly the clock began to strike midnight. One, two, three. Cinderella remembered what her fair godmother had told her. "You must be back before midnight, or your carriage will turn into a pumpkin..."
Cinderella broke loose of Prince Charming and hurriedly ran towards the door. "Where are you
going?" Prince Charles exclaimed. "I have to go." answered Cinderella. Before Prince Charles knew it, Cinderella was gone. Looking down he saw a glass slipper that had fallen off of Cinderella’s foot as she ran away.
The next day Prince Charles visited every house in the kingdom trying to find the girl who could fit the glass slipper. Lastly, Prince Charles came to Cinderella’s house. He tried the glass slipper on each of her step sisters feet. Their feet were too big for the petite little slipper. Cinderella was outside working, unaware of the prince’s visit. Disheartened the prince headed for his carriage. Just then Prince Charles caught a glimpse of Cinderella working in the flower garden. "Who is she?" he asked. "Bring her here to try on the glass slipper." The coachman brought Cinderella to the prince. The prince knelt by Cinderella’s feet and gently placed the slipper on Cinderella’s foot. "It is you!" the prince exclaimed. He escorted Cinderella into his carriage to take her to his palace. It is told that Prince Charming and Cinderella lived happily ever after.
