"Cinderella" is a classic fairy tale about a young woman who overcomes adversity through kindness, resilience, and a touch of magic. While there are many versions around the world, the most well-known, particularly in Western culture, often derive from Charles Perrault's and the Brothers Grimm's tellings.
Here's a general summary
of the most common version:
The story centers on Cinderella,
a beautiful and kind young girl who, after the death of her father, is left to
live with her cruel stepmother and two equally cruel and vain stepsisters.
They treat Cinderella terribly, forcing her to do all the housework, dressing
her in rags, and calling her "Cinderella" because she often sits by
the cinders of the fireplace for warmth. Despite their unkindness, Cinderella
remains good-hearted and gentle.
One day, the King decides
to hold a grand ball to find a bride for his son, the Prince. All
the eligible young women in the kingdom are invited, including Cinderella's
stepfamily. The stepmother and stepsisters spend a great deal of time preparing
for the ball, while intentionally preventing Cinderella from attending, giving
her an impossible amount of chores to do and mocking her desire to go.
Heartbroken and alone,
Cinderella cries. Suddenly, her Fairy Godmother appears. With a wave of
her magic wand, the Fairy Godmother transforms a pumpkin into a magnificent
carriage, mice into horses, a rat into a coachman, and lizards into footmen.
Most importantly, she transforms Cinderella's rags into a beautiful gown and provides
her with sparkling glass slippers.
The Fairy Godmother gives
Cinderella one crucial warning: the magic will only last until midnight.
After that, everything will return to its original state.
Cinderella arrives at the
ball, looking so radiant that no one, not even her stepfamily, recognizes her.
The Prince is immediately captivated by her beauty and grace. He dances with no
one else all evening, falling deeply in love.
As the clock begins to
strike midnight, Cinderella remembers her Fairy Godmother's warning and rushes
away, leaving the ball in a hurry. In her haste, she loses one of her glass
slippers on the grand staircase.
The Prince, determined to
find the mysterious girl who stole his heart, finds the glass slipper. He
declares that he will marry the woman whose foot fits the slipper perfectly.
His royal officials travel throughout the kingdom, trying the slipper on every
eligible maiden.
When they arrive at
Cinderella's house, her stepsisters eagerly try to force their feet into the
tiny slipper, but it doesn't fit. The stepmother tries to prevent Cinderella
from trying it on, but the officials insist. To everyone's astonishment, the
glass slipper fits Cinderella's foot perfectly.
As she produces the
matching slipper, the Fairy Godmother may reappear (or her magic may simply
reveal Cinderella's true beauty), confirming her identity. The Prince is
overjoyed to have found his beloved.
Cinderella marries the
Prince and they live happily ever after, often forgiving her stepfamily or
offering them a chance at redemption (depending on the version). The story
teaches lessons about perseverance, inner beauty, and that kindness can lead to
great rewards.
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