Once upon a time, there was a kind little girl named Cinderella. She lived happily with her loving mother and father.
When Cinderella was nine, her mother became very tired and needed to rest quietly. Before she went to sleep for a long, long time, she told Cinderella, “My dear, always be kind and patient, and good things will come to you.” Not long after, Cinderella’s father married again. The new lady had two daughters of her own. But they were not kind.
They made Cinderella do all the housework—sweeping floors, washing dishes, and tidying up—while they rested and played.
Still, Cinderella stayed gentle and sweet. In the evenings, she would sit by the warm fire, the soft embers making her look as though tiny stars had fallen on her dress. That is how she came to be called Cinderella.
One day, a royal messenger brought exciting news: the prince was holding a grand ball at the palace, and everyone in the kingdom was invited. The stepsisters chattered all day about their dresses and ribbons. Cinderella helped them choose their finest clothes and style their hair. When they asked if she wanted to go, she smiled softly. “Oh, I don’t think I could,” she said. They laughed and told her she would never suit such a grand party. On the night of the ball, Cinderella waved as her stepsisters rode away in their carriage. Her heart felt heavy, and she sat alone by the fire. Suddenly, there was a gentle tap at the door. An old woman with a kind smile stood outside. “May I come in to rest?” she asked. “Of course,” said Cinderella.
The woman asked why she looked so sad. Cinderella told her about the ball, and how she wished she could go but had no fine clothes or carriage. The woman’s eyes twinkled. “Don’t worry, my dear. I am your fairy godmother, and you shall go to the ball!” First, she asked for a large pumpkin from the garden. Cinderella brought one back, and with a wave of her wand, it became a shining golden carriage. Next, she asked for six mice from the pantry. One touch of the wand turned them into six fine grey horses with blue ribbons in their manes. Then, she asked for two rats from the stable. One became a smart postilion, the other a cheerful coachman. Finally, she asked for six lizards from the garden wall. With a flick of her wand, they became six footmen in bright jackets and gold hats. The carriage and its helpers were ready, but Cinderella still wore her plain dress. Smiling, the fairy godmother touched her with the wand. Her dress turned to silver and gold, sparkling like moonlight, and on her feet appeared two delicate glass slippers. “Remember,” said the fairy godmother, “you must leave the ball before the clock strikes twelve. At midnight, the magic will end.” Cinderella promised, stepped into the carriage, and was whisked away to the palace. When she arrived, the prince himself came to greet her. He led her into the ballroom, and everyone turned to stare. She looked so lovely that whispers of wonder filled the room.
The prince danced with her all evening. Cinderella felt as if she were in a dream.
She even spoke kindly to her stepsisters, who did not recognize her, and gave them sweet fruit from the banquet table. When the clock began to strike midnight, she remembered her promise. She slipped away quickly, disappearing into the night before the last chime. At home, she thanked her fairy godmother and told her how happy the evening had been. The next day, the prince announced there would be another ball, and he hoped the mysterious lady would return. Again, the stepsisters went to the palace. Again, the fairy godmother dressed Cinderella in a gown even more beautiful than before. That night, the prince stayed beside her, speaking with warmth and joy. But Cinderella lost track of the time. When the clock struck midnight, she fled. As she ran down the palace steps, one glass slipper slipped from her foot. The prince picked it up carefully, determined to find her. The next day, the prince declared, “I will marry the lady whose foot fits this glass slipper.” He went from house to house. Many tried the slipper, but it fit no one. At last, he came to Cinderella’s home. The stepsisters each tried to squeeze in their feet, but the slipper was far too small. Then Cinderella asked softly, “May I try?”
The stepsisters laughed, but the prince’s servant said, “Every lady must have her chance.” Cinderella slipped her foot into the glass slipper, and it fit perfectly. She then drew the other slipper from her pocket and put it on. At that moment, her fairy godmother appeared, touching Cinderella’s clothes with her wand. She was dressed once again in shimmering beauty. The stepsisters gasped, realizing she was the lovely lady from the ball. They knelt before her and begged her forgiveness. Cinderella lifted them up gently and smiled. “I forgive you. Let us be friends.” The prince, overjoyed, took Cinderella to the palace, where they were soon married. She remained kind and gentle all her life, and her warm heart brought happiness to her family and the whole kingdom. And so, Cinderella’s story became a tale of kindness, patience, and dreams coming true. The end.