Cinderella

Once upon a time, a kind-hearted girl named Cinderella lived with her cruel stepmother and two selfish stepsisters. They treated her like a servant, forcing her to do all the chores and sleep by the fireplace among the cinders—which is how she got her name.

One day, an invitation arrived for a Grand Ball at the palace. The Prince was looking for a bride, and every maiden in the kingdom was invited. While the stepsisters spent days preparing their fine gowns, the stepmother forbid Cinderella from going, leaving her in tears as they drove away.

Suddenly, her Fairy Godmother appeared! With a wave of her magic wand:

Suddenly, her Fairy Godmother appeared! With a wave of her magic wand:

A pumpkin became a golden carriage.

Six mice became white horses.

Cinderella’s rags were transformed into a stunning gown.

On her feet were delicate glass slippers.

The Fairy Godmother gave one warning: The magic would end exactly at midnight.

At the ball, Cinderella was so beautiful that the Prince danced with no one else. She was so happy that she lost track of time. As the clock began to strike twelve, she fled the palace in such a hurry that she lost one of her glass slippers on the stairs. By the time she reached home, her carriage was a pumpkin again and her dress was back to rags.

The Prince, now deeply in love, vowed to marry the girl whose foot fit the glass slipper. He traveled to every house in the kingdom. When he reached Cinderella's home, the stepsisters tried to force their feet into the tiny shoe, but they were much too large.

Finally, the Prince asked Cinderella to try. Despite the stepmother's protests, she slid her foot into the slipper—and it fit perfectly.

Cinderella was taken to the palace, where she married the Prince, and they lived happily ever after.