Cinderella

once, cinderella and her father, the Baron, had lived alone, after the death of her mother when she was a baby. she loved him dearly.
how she sighed, remembering those happy days before her father married a widow with two daughters of her own.
the widow's daughter were so ugly and cruel, they quickly became known as the ugly sisters. soon, the Baron's daughter was made to do all the housework.
she was dressed in rags, and because she spent so much time in the kitchen among the cinders, they called her "cinderella".
then, one morning cinderella heard a loud knock at the door. it was a message from the royal palace, sent to all the houses in kingdom.
"invitations to a Grand ball in honour of the prince Charming squealed the ugly sisters.
cinderella's heart began to beat.
she ran up the cellar steps, almost bumping into the baron!
"father!" she panted, "the invitations that have come for the Grand Ball! i can go, can't i?"
but before the Baron could answer, Cinderella step-mother shouted out : "you? go to the ball dressed in your rags? talk sense, Cinderella! you're only fit to stay at home!"
Cinderella knew the Baron was too afraid of his wife to say anything. the ugly sisters were delighted, glad of an excuse to make Cinderella work harder than ever.
"alter my dress!" "brsuh my hair!" "shine my shoes!" "iron my gloves!" they meant to look their very best for the handsome Prince Charming
By the evening of the Ball, Cinderella was so unhappy she could hardly bear it. Alone in the house she sat by the fire, her tears falling into the cold, black cinders.
then, a dazzling glow of light seemed to fill the kitchen, making it bright and warm.
"do not cry, CInderella", came a soft voice. "i am here to help you".
"h-help me ?" Cinderella stammered. "but how? who.. who are you?"
"your fairy Godmother," came the reply. " and with my magic wand, i shall see that you go to the Ball!"
Before Cinderella could answer, her fairy Godmother gave a tap with her wand-and, in an instant, her rags became the most beautiful ball gown she could ever have imagined!
"shall i need a pumpkin ..." said the fairy Godmother.
"there's one in the kitchen garden..." said Cinderella.
The Fairy Godmother turned a fat pumpkin into a crystal coach! four mice became white ponies, and two rats were changed into footmen!
"thank you, fairy Godmother!" cried Cinderella.
"just remember my magic can only last until midnight!" her Godmother smiled.
Well, that what a stir when CInderella arrived at the palace! everyone wanted to know who the beautiful young girl was including Prince Charming, who at once came up to her.
they danced the whole evening, falling in love with each hour that slipped by. the ugly sisters had no idea that the beautiful girl was Cinderella!
on the first stroke of midnight, Cinderella remembered what her Fairy Godmother had said.
"i .. i have to go!" she cried, and turned to run down the stairs.
Prince charming was surprised and knew he had to see the beautiful girl again. the only she left was a tiny glass slipper..
there was a great excitement next day. a royal procession came around all the streets, with a page carrying the glass slipper on a red cushion.
"whoever this slipper fits," said the royal Herald, "shall marry Prince Charming!"
"it will fit me !" squealed the first Ugly sister. "it will fit me!"
"no me!" screamed her sister.
But, the slipper was much too small for either of them.
"but this is the last house!" cried the Herald. "is there nobody else?"
"only my daughter," said the Baron quickly. " I'll call her"
And even before he put the slipper on Cinderella's tiny foot, the Prince knew she was the girl he loved.
soon, cinderella and the prince celebrated their marriage. and somewhere, Cinderella knew, her Fairy Godmother was there, smiling.