Cinderella
The Beginning of the Tragedy
Once upon a time, there was a rich man. His wife was ill. When she felt her end was near, she called her only daughter, Cinderella, to her bedside.
— My child, when I am no longer here, be kind and obedient. And God will always protect you. I will watch over you from heaven and be by your side.
She closed her eyes and passed away. Every day, the girl went to cry at her mother's grave.
A New Family
Cinderella's father was often away on business. He decided to remarry so that someone could take care of Cinderella. He married a widow who also had two daughters of her own.
Cinderella lived with her wicked stepmother and her two cruel stepsisters. They treated Cinderella very badly. She grew up being their servant and doing all the housework.
A Life of a Servant
One day, Cinderella was sweeping the floor. Her two stepsisters were lounging on the sofa, munching on fruits. After they finished eating, one of the sisters threw the peels on the floor.
The stepmother entered the living room and saw the dirty floor.
— Cinderella! Clean the floor properly, you lazy girl! Can't you do anything right? — Yes, Mother, I will. Forgive me.
Cinderella cooked the meals and washed the dishes.
— Can I eat something too, Mother? — You can eat whatever is left over from us.
— Oh, stop these habits! Go and wash the dishes first!
Cinderella gathered all the plates and washed them. They made her sleep in the attic. Every night she fell asleep crying, hungry. Seeing her like this, the little birds and mice felt sorry for her and befriended her.
The Royal Ball
One day, the king decided to host a grand ball and invited all the townspeople. The king wanted his son to choose a beautiful girl for marriage. So, he sent invitations to all eligible young ladies for the grand ball at the palace.
— Subjects! I have a message from our king! Everyone is invited to the grand ball next week, on Saturday. On this occasion, a princess will be chosen for the prince.
Everyone was joyful and jumping with delight. Cinderella too was very happy and cheerful because she had always wished to see the palace. Cinderella's stepsisters bustled about, eager to prepare for the ball.
— Come on, girls! Start preparing for the ball! I want the prince to marry one of you. And you, Cinderella, help them both get ready. My girls must look like two princesses. One of them will marry the prince soon. — Oh, Mother! The prince will marry me! — Cinderella, do my hair and help me get dressed! — No, Cinderella, come to me first! I will marry the prince!
Cinderella was very patient. She helped them both.
— I wish I could go too! Can I come? I want so much to see the palace and come to the ball! — No! Absolutely not! Look at you! You don't even have a dress! They will laugh at you and you will bring shame upon us! — How dare you ask me such a thing?
The stepsisters and their mother left for the grand ball. Cinderella remained alone at home, crying.
The Good Fairy
She remembered she had her mother's wedding dress. But it was torn. So she began to sew it. Her little friends, the bird and the mice, also lent a helping hand.
— It's taking so long! By the time I finish sewing the dress, the ball will be over!
Suddenly, the good fairy appeared.
— Don't cry, my child! I will send you to the ball! — How? Who are you? And how would that be possible? My dress is torn, and I have no other dress to wear to the ball. — Don't worry, dear child! Hocus pocus preparatus!
And Cinderella's old dress transformed into a new gown. She pointed her wand at her feet, and two glass slippers appeared. The mice and the bird were jumping on a pumpkin.
— Hocus pocus pocus!
She transformed the pumpkin into a beautiful carriage. The mice turned into horses, and the bird into a coachman.
— But, good fairy, my stepmother and stepsisters will be there too. They will be furious if they see me there. — Don't worry, they won't recognize you.
— Oh! Thank you, good fairy! You are very kind!
At the Ball
— But remember, my child! The spell only lasts until midnight. You must be home by then! — Oh! Yes, good fairy! I will be careful!
She said goodbye and set off for the ball. When she entered the ballroom, all eyes turned towards her. Her stepmother and stepsisters did not recognize her.
— How beautiful she is!
The handsome prince saw her and fell in love with her instantly. He approached her.
— Beautiful maiden, will you grant me the pleasure of this dance? — Yes, of course!
The prince danced with no one else. He couldn't take his eyes off Cinderella. Cinderella danced all night with the prince and almost forgot that midnight was approaching.
Midnight
Suddenly, she remembered the good fairy's words and looked at the clock.
— Oh, I must go home! — But it's only...
As she fled, one of her glass slippers slipped off her foot, and she didn't have time to put it back on. She saw the prince running after her. She quickly got into the carriage and rode away. The prince saw her slipper and quickly picked it up.
— Why did she run away?
At midnight, while she was still on her way, the carriage disappeared and turned back into a pumpkin. She took a shortcut and finally managed to reach home.
The Search for the Princess
— I will find her even if I have to search the entire kingdom. I want to meet the girl at all costs!
The prince was so eager to see her again that he set off with his retinue to search for her. They went from door to door. All the girls in every house were asked to try on the slipper, but it fit none of them. Finally, they arrived at Cinderella's house.
— Welcome, Your Highness! — Madam, was any of the girls from this house at the ball? — My two daughters were at the ball last night. — Bring them! They must try on this slipper. We are looking for the girl who wore it. — Oh! Perhaps it belongs to one of my daughters! I will call them both at once!
The stepsisters tried on the slipper. They struggled to squeeze their feet into it, but the slipper fit neither of them.
— Is there anyone else in the house? — Ah, no, no, no, no. I only have two daughters.
The stepmother had locked Cinderella in the attic precisely so she couldn't try on the slipper.
— We must search the entire house.
Then, a soldier saw the way to the attic, where the door was locked.
— Is anyone inside? — No, no, no, no, no. There is no one there. Don't waste your time, Your Highness.
He broke the lock and entered the attic, where he was astonished to discover a girl sitting by the window.
— I found a girl here!
The Reunion
The prince and his men gathered around her to try on the slipper. It fit Cinderella's foot perfectly. The stepmother was astonished.
— No, no, no! — I finally found you! What is your name? — Cinderella.
Immediately, he knelt before her and proposed.
— Cinderella, will you marry me? — Yes! Yes!
The prince took her hand and kissed it. Then they returned to the palace together.
Happy Ending
The king and queen were overjoyed to meet Cinderella. They invited Cinderella's father to give his blessing. Cinderella and the prince got married and lived happily ever after.
The moral of the story is that kindness and patience are always rewarded, and true beauty comes from within.
