Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom, there lived a kind and devout young woman named Cinderella. She was the cherished daughter of a weal...
Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom, there lived a kind and devout young woman named Cinderella. She was the cherished daughter of a wealthy man and his dearly loved wife. Tragically, her mother fell ill and passed away, leaving behind words of wisdom and love: “My dear, always remain kind and faithful, and the good Lord will watch over you. I will be with you in spirit from above.” Grieving her mother’s loss, Cinderella faithfully adhered to her mother’s advice, visiting her grave daily to pray and mourn.
Stripped of her fine clothing, Cinderella was made to wear an old grey dress and wooden shoes. Her stepsisters taunted her with names like "kitchen wench" and "Cinderella," meaning “little cinder girl.” Despite their cruelty, Cinderella remained virtuous, diligently performing all her chores.
Her life became a grueling routine, filled with tasks from dawn till dusk. Her stepsisters further tormented her by scattering peas and lentils into the ashes and forcing her to pick them out. Cinderella slept on the cold floor by the hearth, covered in soot.
One day, her father went to the fair and asked his stepdaughters what gifts they wanted. They requested fine dresses, pearls, and jewels. Cinderella simply asked for the first branch that brushed against his hat on his way home.
On his return, he brought the requested gifts for his stepdaughters and a hazel branch for Cinderella. She planted it on her mother’s grave and wept so much that her tears watered the branch. It grew into a beautiful tree, and three times a day, Cinderella would sit beneath it to pray. A little white bird would descend and grant her wishes.
A royal ball was announced, inviting all the young women in the land so that the Prince could find a bride. When Cinderella’s stepsisters prepared for the ball, they demanded her assistance with their hair and gowns. Cinderella complied but wished she could go as well. She begged her stepmother for permission, but was denied because she was deemed too dirty and without proper attire.
Desperate to attend, Cinderella was given an impossible task by her stepmother: she had to pick a dish of lentils from the ashes in two hours. She called upon the birds with a heartfelt plea:
"Birds, dear friends of mine,
Help me sort these lentils fine."
To her amazement, white pigeons, turtle-doves, and other birds came to her aid, quickly separating the lentils from the ashes. With the task completed, Cinderella took the dish to her stepmother, who was unimpressed and set her another challenge: two dishes of lentils in one hour. Once again, the birds came to her rescue and finished the task in half the time.
Despite her efforts, the stepmother remained unyielding and refused Cinderella permission to attend the ball. Left alone, Cinderella turned to her mother’s grave and recited:
"My little tree, please do shiver,
And let silver and gold flow like a river."
The bird provided her with a magnificent dress of gold and silver and delicate slippers. Clad in these beautiful garments, Cinderella went to the ball, and her stepsisters did not recognize her, thinking she was a foreign princess. The Prince was mesmerized and danced with her all night, rejecting all other invitations to dance.
As the evening ended, Cinderella fled from the Prince’s attempts to follow her. She managed to escape into the pigeon-house. The Prince, discovering her disappearance, was informed by Cinderella’s father that the mysterious maiden had vanished into the pigeon-house. They searched but found nothing. Cinderella had returned to her grimy clothes and hidden in the kitchen.
The next day, Cinderella repeated her visit to the hazel-tree, and the bird provided an even more splendid gown. At the ball, once again, the Prince danced only with Cinderella. When it was time to leave, the Prince smeared the staircase with pitch, hoping to catch her.
As Cinderella fled, her golden slipper got stuck in the pitch. The Prince retrieved the delicate slipper and vowed to marry the woman it fit. The stepsisters tried on the slipper but failed. The older sister even cut off her toe, while the younger sister cut off part of her heel, both attempting to deceive the Prince. The two white doves sang:
"Behold, within the shoe there's blood,
Too small it is, this is no dud,
The true bride is still yet to come,
Turn and seek, don't be undone."
Realizing the deception, the Prince returned to Cinderella’s home. Despite her stepmother's resistance, Cinderella was called. She removed her heavy wooden shoe and slipped her foot into the golden slipper, which fit perfectly.
The Prince recognized Cinderella as his true bride. The stepsisters, horrified, were punished with blindness for their cruelty. Cinderella and the Prince were married, and they lived happily ever after.
Moral Lessons from "Cinderella":
1. Kindness and Compassion: Cinderella’s enduring kindness and gentleness, despite her mistreatment, ultimately lead to her happiness and success. Her story underscores the value of treating others with compassion.
2. Perseverance and Resilience: Despite numerous hardships, Cinderella remains hopeful and resilient. Her perseverance through adversity is rewarded when she finally achieves her dreams.
3. Inner Beauty*: The tale emphasizes that true beauty comes from within. Cinderella’s genuine kindness and goodness make her stand out, while the vanity and cruelty of her stepsisters do not endear them to others.
4. Good Triumphs Over Evil: The story demonstrates that justice prevails and good ultimately triumphs over evil. Cinderella’s integrity and virtue lead to her happiness, while the wicked are punished for their wrongdoings.
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