Cinderella

The story

Once upon a time there was a kind girl who, after her mother died, lived with her father, her stepmother and two stepsisters.

The stepmother and stepsisters were proud and lazy, and made the girl do all the work.

In the evenings, tired from working so hard, she would sit beside the warm ashes of the fireplace.

That is why they mockingly called her Cinderella.

One day, the king announced a grand ball, because the prince was looking for a bride.

The stepsisters had themselves dressed in beautiful gowns, but Cinderella was not allowed to go.

"You belong here, with the ashes," they said, and they rode away.

Left all alone, Cinderella began to cry.

Then, all at once, a good fairy appeared before her.

"Dry your tears," she said. "You are going to the ball too."

She turned a pumpkin into a magnificent carriage, mice into horses, and Cinderella's worn-out dress into a gown of shimmering fabric.

Two delicate glass slippers appeared on her feet.

"But remember," the fairy warned her, "at midnight the magic will disappear. Make sure you are back before the final chime."

At the ball, no one could take their eyes off the mysterious beauty.

The prince danced with her, and only her, all evening.

But when the clock began to strike twelve, Cinderella was startled and ran outside.

In her hurry, she lost one glass slipper on the stairs.

The carriage turned back into a pumpkin, and there she stood, once again in her old clothes.

But she still had the other slipper.

The prince found the lost slipper and vowed to marry the girl whose foot fitted it perfectly.

He went from house to house.

The two stepsisters tried it on, but their feet were far too big.

Then the prince asked if there was anyone else.

"Only Cinderella," the sisters said scornfully, "but she belongs with the ashes."

Even so, she was allowed to try.

And the glass slipper fitted her perfectly.

Then she took the other slipper from the pocket of her apron.

The prince immediately recognised the beautiful girl from the ball.

The two stepsisters were deeply ashamed and slipped away.

And Cinderella, who had always remained kind and good-hearted despite everything, married the prince and lived happily ever after.