Cinderella

Every night, in homes all over the world, families gather in soft lamplight for one of the oldest traditions there is: sharing a story before sleep. Blankets get pulled up, pillows get fluffed, and someone — a parent, a grandparent, an older sister or brother — begins with those magic words: "Once upon a time..."

Tonight, let's read one of the most beloved bedtime stories of all — the story of Cinderella.

The Girl by the Ashes

Once upon a time, there was a kind and gentle girl who lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters. Her stepmother was cold and unkind, and her stepsisters were vain and jealous. They gave the girl all the hardest chores — scrubbing floors, washing dishes, and tending the fire — while they wore fine dresses and slept in soft beds.

Because she often sat by the fireplace to keep warm, with cinders and ashes dusting her clothes, they began to call her Cinderella. But no matter how unkindly she was treated, Cinderella never lost her gentle heart. She sang softly to the birds outside her window and dreamed quietly of kinder days.

An Invitation to the Ball

One day, grand news arrived at the house: the King's son was holding a ball, and every young lady in the land was invited. Cinderella's stepsisters shrieked with excitement, spending days choosing ribbons and gowns. Cinderella helped them dress, brushing their hair and lacing their shoes, though she longed with all her heart to go too.

"You? Go to the ball?" one stepsister laughed. "Look at you — covered in ashes!"

When the coach rolled away without her, Cinderella sat by the cold fireplace and cried softly into her apron.

The Fairy Godmother's Magic

Just then, a warm light filled the room, and a kind old woman appeared, holding a sparkling wand. "Why are you crying, child?" she asked gently.

"I wish... I wish I could go to the ball," Cinderella whispered.

"Then you shall," said her Fairy Godmother, smiling. "Fetch me a pumpkin from the garden."

With a tap of her wand — tap! — the pumpkin became a glittering golden coach. Six gray mice became six white horses, and a rat became a coachman with a fine mustache. Then, with one more gentle wave, Cinderella's ragged dress transformed into a gown that shimmered like moonlight on water, and on her feet appeared two tiny slippers made of glass.

"Remember, Cinderella," said the Fairy Godmother softly, "this magic will only last until midnight. When the clock begins to strike twelve, you must leave at once — for at the final chime, everything will turn back as it was."

"I will remember," Cinderella promised, and off she went, her heart fluttering with wonder.

The Ball

When Cinderella arrived at the palace, everyone stopped to stare — she was so lovely that no one recognized her, not even her own stepsisters. The Prince himself came forward at once, bowed low, and asked her to dance. All evening, he had eyes for no one else, and Cinderella, spinning beneath the glowing chandeliers, felt as though she were floating on air.

But as the music swelled, she heard the great clock begin to chime. Bong... bong... bong...

"Wait!" the Prince called, reaching for her hand. But Cinderella was already running — down the marble stairs, through the palace doors, her heart pounding with every step. In her hurry, one small glass slipper slipped from her foot and was left behind, gleaming on the stone steps in the moonlight.

The Search

By the time the last chime rang out, Cinderella's beautiful coach was a pumpkin once more, and her glittering gown was simple rags again — except, curiously, for one glass slipper still on her foot.

The Prince, holding the slipper she'd left behind, declared that he would marry whichever maiden in the kingdom could fit her foot inside it. Messengers traveled from house to house, and at last they came to Cinderella's home. Her stepsisters squeezed and pushed, but the slipper would not fit no matter how hard they tried.

"May I try?" Cinderella asked quietly.

Her stepsisters laughed, but the Prince's messenger said every maiden should have a turn. Cinderella slipped her foot into the glass slipper, and it fit perfectly — as though it had been made just for her.

To everyone's astonishment, Cinderella reached into her pocket and brought out the matching slipper too. And in that moment, kindness and patience were finally rewarded: the Prince recognized her at once as the girl he had danced with all night. Cinderella, true to her gentle heart, forgave her stepsisters and welcomed them warmly into her new life at the palace.

And now, little one, the candle is low and your eyes are growing sleepy — just like Cinderella's coach at the stroke of midnight. Close your eyes, and dream of glass slippers and golden coaches, for tomorrow night, there will be another story waiting.

Moral / Lesson: Kindness and patience are never wasted, even when no one seems to notice. Good hearts are eventually seen.

Attribution: Adapted from Charles Perrault, Contes de ma Mère l'Oye (Tales of Mother Goose), 1697 — public domain.