A long time ago, in a faraway land, there lived a gentle and kind-hearted girl named Cinderella.
Her mother had died, and her father married another woman. The new stepmother was very cruel. She had two daughters who were proud and selfish.
Cinderella did all the housework — cleaning, cooking, and washing. Her stepmother and stepsisters wore fine clothes, but Cinderella wore old, torn dresses. Still, she was always gentle and kind.
One day, the king said, ‘Let’s have a big dance party at the palace!’ All young ladies were invited. The stepsisters were excited and went to the ball, but Cinderella was left behind. She cried sadly.
Suddenly, a fairy godmother appeared. With her magic wand, she turned a pumpkin into a beautiful carriage, mice into horses, and Cinderella’s torn dress into a shining gown with glass slippers. But the fairy warned, “The magic will end at midnight. You must return before then.”
Cinderella went to the ball. Everyone admired her beauty. The prince danced only with her. But as the clock struck twelve, she ran away. In her hurry, she left behind one glass slipper.
The next day, the prince searched the kingdom for the girl who fit the slipper. At last, he came to Cinderella’s house. The stepsisters tried, but the shoe was too small. When Cinderella tried, it fit perfectly!
The prince married Cinderella, and they lived happily ever after.