The Cinderella

Cinderella

Once upon a time, in a quiet little kingdom, there lived a kind and gentle girl named Cinderella. Her life hadn’t always been hard—she was once surrounded by love. But when her mother passed away and her father remarried, everything changed.

Her new stepmother was cold and selfish, and her two daughters were no better. They were spoiled, proud, and unkind. After Cinderella’s father also passed away, she was left completely at their mercy. Instead of being treated like family, she was forced to do all the housework—scrubbing floors, cooking meals, washing clothes, and tending to every chore. She wore nothing but old rags, and because she often sat by the fireplace, her stepsisters mockingly called her Cinderella.

Even though they treated her so cruelly, Cinderella stayed patient and gentle. She never lost her kind heart or her hope that someday life might change.

The Royal Ball

One day, exciting news spread through the kingdom: the king was hosting a grand ball at the palace. Every young woman was invited, for the prince was to choose his future bride.

Cinderella’s stepsisters squealed with delight. They ordered her to help them prepare—choosing dresses, polishing shoes, and fixing their hair. When Cinderella timidly asked if she could go too, her stepmother laughed. “You? In those rags? You’ll stay here and clean.”

On the night of the ball, Cinderella was left behind. As she sat by the fire, tears ran down her face. She had dreamed of going, but now it seemed impossible.

A Touch of Magic

Just then, a warm light filled the room. Standing before her was a gentle woman holding a sparkling wand—her fairy godmother.

“Don’t cry, child,” she said kindly. “You shall go to the ball.”

With a wave of her wand, Cinderella’s rags turned into a gown more beautiful than anything she had ever seen. On her feet appeared a pair of shining glass slippers. Then, with a few more flicks, a pumpkin became a golden carriage, and the mice in the house turned into fine horses.

Cinderella was speechless. But her fairy godmother warned her: “Remember, my dear—this magic will last only until midnight. After that, everything will return to what it was.”

Cinderella promised to be careful, then climbed into the carriage and rode off to the palace.

The Ball

When Cinderella stepped into the ballroom, everyone stopped to stare. She was so beautiful that even her own stepsisters didn’t recognize her.

The prince noticed her immediately. “May I have this dance?” he asked, bowing politely.

From then on, he danced only with her. They laughed, talked, and felt as though they had known each other forever. But as the night went on, the great clock began to strike midnight.

“Oh no!” Cinderella gasped, remembering the warning. She ran out of the palace before the prince could stop her. In her hurry, she lost one of her glass slippers on the staircase. She jumped into her carriage, and before long, her gown turned back into rags and the carriage became a pumpkin once more.

The Glass Slipper

The next morning, the prince declared that he would marry the young woman whose foot fit the glass slipper. His servants carried it to every home in the kingdom.

When they arrived at Cinderella’s house, the stepsisters pushed forward, each trying to force her foot into the tiny shoe. Of course, it was no use. Finally, Cinderella quietly asked, “May I try?”

Her stepmother scoffed, but the prince’s servant allowed it. Cinderella slipped her foot into the slipper, and it fit perfectly. Then she revealed the other slipper she had kept. The prince knew instantly she was the mysterious girl from the ball.

Happily Ever After

Overjoyed, the prince asked Cinderella to be his bride. She said yes, her heart full of happiness. She forgave her stepmother and stepsisters but no longer lived under their cruelty.

Soon after, she married the prince in a grand celebration. From that day forward, she lived not as a servant, but as a beloved princess—loved for her kindness as much as for her beauty.

And so, Cinderella’s story ended the way all true fairy tales should: happily ever after.