Cinderella

At last the happy day arrived. The two proud sisters set off in high spirits. 
Cinderella followed them with her eyes until the coach was out of sight. 
She then began to cry bitterly. While she was sobbing, her godmother, who was a Fairy, appeared before her.

Cinderella," said the
Fairy," I am your godmother, and for the sake of your dear mamma I have
come to cheer you up, so dry your tears ; you shall go to the grand ball
to-night, but you must do just as I bid you. Go into the garden and bring me a
pumpkin." Cinderella brought the finest that was there. Her godmother
scooped it out very quickly, and then struck it with her wand, upon which it was changed into a beautiful coach. Afterwards,
the old lady peeped into the mouse-trap, where she found six mice. She tapped them
lightly with her wand, and mice became a fine horse. The rattrap contained two
large rats; one of these she turned into a coachman, and the other into a postilion. The old lady then told
Cinderella to go into the garden and seek for half-a-dozen lizards. These she
changed into six footmen, dressed in
the gayest livery.

When all these things had been done, the kind godmother touching her with her
wand, changed her worn-out clothes into a beautiful ball dress embroidered with
pearls and silver. She then gave her a pair of glass slippers, that is, they
were wove of the most delicate spun glass, fine as the web of a spider. 

When Cinderella was thus attired, her godmother made her get into her splendid
coach, giving her a caution to leave the ball before the clock struck twelve. 

On her arrival, her beauty struck everybody with wonder. The gallant Prince
gave her a courteous welcome, and led her into the ballroom; and the King and
Queen were as much enchanted with her, as the Prince conducted her to the
supper-table, and was too much occupied in waiting upon her to partake of
anything himself. While seated, Cinderella heard the clock strike three quarters
past eleven. She rose to leave, the Prince was pressing her to accept an
invitation for the ball on the following evening. 

On reaching home, her godmother praised her for being so punctual, and agreed
to let her go to the next night's ball. 

Although she seemed to be tired, her sisters, instead of showing pity, teased
her with the glowing accounts of the splendid scene they had just left, and spoke
particularly of the beautiful Princess. Cinderella was delighted to hear all this, and asked them the name of the Princess, but they 
replied, nobody
knew her. So much did they say in praise of the lady, that Cinderella expressed
a desire to go to the next ball to see the Princess; but this only served to
bring out their dislike of poor Cinderella still more, and they would not lend
her the meanest of their dresses.

Email me at: jcasey2@gmu.edu

Updated on 09/20/2007

Back to NCLC 343