Once upon a time there lived an unhappy
young girl. Her mother was dead and her father had married a widow with two
daughters. Her stepmother didn't like her one little bit. All her kind thoughts
and loving touches were for her own daughters. Nothing was too good for them -
dresses, shoes, delicious food, soft beds, and every home comfort. But, for the
poor unhappy girl, there was nothing at all. No dresses, only her stepsisters’
hand-me-downs. No lovely dishes, nothing but scraps. No rest and no comfort.
She had to work hard all day. Only when evening came was she allowed to sit for
a while by the fire, near the cinders. That’s why everybody called her
Cinderella. Cinderella used to spend long hours all alone talking to the cat.
The cat said, . Miaow. , which really meant, . Cheer up! You have something
neither of your stepsisters has and that is beauty.. It was quite true.
Cinderella, even dressed in old rags, was a lovely girl. While her stepsisters,
no matter how splendid and elegant their clothes, were still clumsy, lumpy and
ugly and always would be. One day, beautiful new dresses arrived at the house.
A ball was to be held at the palace and the stepsisters were getting ready to
go. Cinderella didn't even dare ask if she could go too. She knew very well
what the answer would be: . You? You're staying at home to wash the dishes,
scrub the floors and turn down the beds for your stepsisters. They will come
home tired and very sleepy.. Cinderella sighed, . Oh dear, I'm so unhappy!. and
the cat murmured . Miaow. Suddenly something amazing happened. As Cinderella
was sitting all alone, there was a burst of light and a fairy appeared. . Don't
be alarmed, Cinderella,. said the fairy. . I know you would love to go to the
ball. And so you shall!. . How can I, dressed in rags?. Cinderella replied. .
The servants will turn me away! The fairy smiled. With a flick of her magic
wand Cinderella found herself wearing the most beautiful dress she had ever
seen. . Now for your coach,. said the fairy; "A real lady would never go
to a ball on foot! Quick! Get me a pumpkin!. . Oh of course,. said Cinderella,
rushing away. Then the fairy turned to the cat. . You, bring me seven mice,
and, remember they must be alive!. Cinderella soon returned with the pumpkin
and the cat with seven mice he had caught in the cellar. With a flick of the
magic wand the pumpkin turned into a sparkling coach and the mice became six
white horses, while the seventh mouse turned into a coachman in a smart uniform
and carrying a whip. Cinderella could hardly believe her eyes. Cinderella had a
wonderful time at the ball until she heard the first stroke of midnight! She
remembered what the fairy had said, and without a word of goodbye she slipped
from the Prince. s arms and ran down the steps. As she ran she lost one of her
slippers, but not for a moment did she dream of stopping to pick it up! If the
last stroke of midnight were to sound... oh... what a disaster that would be!
Out she fled and vanished into the night. The Prince, who was now madly in love
with her, picked up the slipper and said to his ministers, “Go and search
everywhere for the girl whose foot this slipper fits. I will never be content
until I find her!” So the ministers tried
the slipper on the foot of every girl in the land until only Cinderella was
left. That awful untidy girl simply cannot have been at the ball,. snapped the
stepmother. . Tell the Prince he ought to marry one of my two daughters! Can't
you see how ugly Cinderella is?. But, to everyone she is amazement, the shoe
fitted perfectly. Suddenly the fairy appeared and waved her magic wand. In a
flash, Cinderella appeared in a splendid dress, shining with youth and beauty.
Her stepmother and stepsisters gaped at her in amazement, and the ministers
said, "Come with us Cinderella! The Prince is waiting for you." So
Cinderella married the Prince and lived happily ever. As for the cat, he just
said "Miaow!"
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