The fairy tale Cinderella or the Glass Slipper by Charles Perrault tells about a poor girl left without a mother. She has to live with her evil stepmother and her daughters. Will come to the aid of Cinderella Kind fairy and help her find her happiness...

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About Cinderella, the fairy godmother and a little about happiness

Charles Perrault's fairy tale Cinderella is a work that is interesting at any age. This fairy tale is read with equal interest by both adults and children all over the world. Charles put all the sophistication into this tale literary language, which is inherent in him, the images of Cinderella are sophisticated and light. The story of Cinderella is not unique; other authors also wrote down this fairy tale, but it was Charles Perrault’s version that became so famous due to the uniqueness of its details and thoughtfulness.

The magic element of a fairy tale in the help of a magical fairy. The fairy godmother helps Cinderella and takes care of her. In addition to the usual support, the fairy turns a pumpkin into a carriage, mice into footmen and gives Cinderella glass slippers and an indescribably beautiful dress. Charles came up with all these fantastic elements himself; they were not present in the folk version of the tale.

All little girls who are read the fairy tale Cinderella dream of being like main character and this is one of the psychological points that Charles used. Kindness, modesty and responsiveness, forgiveness, hard work - these are the traits that a girl must have in order to eventually marry a prince. The fairy tale teaches us to forgive loved ones for their misdeeds, and not to pay in the same coin and not to complain about anything again. It is then that fate will smile and there will be a meeting with true love, sincere and mutual.

What did the fairy tale Cinderella teach us? The main thing is that you need to be able to forgive with all your heart, and not in words.

Today in the blog we will look at scenario analysis of the fairy tale Cinderella through the eyes of transactional analyst Eric Berne. This is necessary to understand the similarities between the scripts of children's characters fairy tales and real life scenarios written by our parents and immediate circle.
Fairytale therapy for children and adults

Transactional, scenario analysis of the fairy tale Cinderella

The author spoke of a happy gift that is more than facial beauty; the charm of this gift surpasses all others. This is exactly what the fairy gave Cinderella. She mentored her so carefully and taught her noble manners that Cinderella became a queen.

Now let's look at the idea of ​​Cinderella from the point of view of a transactional, scenario analyst, as she looks in Perrault's fairy tale, which almost all children know, and discuss the various contents contained in the fairy tale life scenarios, many of which are easily detected in real life.

Cinderella, or the glass slipper

Charles Perrault

Once upon a time there lived a venerable and noble man. His first wife died, and he married a second time, and to such a grumpy and arrogant woman as the world had never seen.

She had two daughters, very similar to their mother in face, mind, and character.

My husband also had a daughter, kind, friendly, sweet - just like her late mother. And her mother was the most beautiful and kind woman.

And then the new mistress entered the house. It was then that she showed her temper. Everything was not to her taste, but most of all she disliked her stepdaughter. The girl was so good that her stepmother's daughters seemed even worse next to her.

The poor stepdaughter was forced to do all the dirtiest and hardest work in the house: she cleaned boilers and pots, washed stairs, cleaned the rooms of her stepmother and both young ladies - her sisters.

She slept in the attic, right under the roof, on a prickly straw bed. And both sisters had rooms with parquet floors of colored wood, with beds dismantled according to latest fashion, and with large mirrors, in which it was fashionable to see oneself from head to toe.

The poor girl silently endured all the insults and did not dare to complain even to her father. The stepmother took him into such control that he now looked at everything through her eyes and would probably only scold his daughter for her ingratitude and disobedience.

In the evening, having finished work, she climbed into a corner near the fireplace and sat there on a box of ash. Therefore, the sisters, and after them everyone in the house, nicknamed her Cinderella.

Still, Cinderella, in her old dress, stained with ash, was a hundred times sweeter than her sisters, dressed in velvet and silk.

And then one day the son of the king of that country arranged big ball and summoned all the noble people with their wives and daughters to it.

Cinderella's sisters also received an invitation to the ball. They were very happy and immediately began to choose outfits and figure out how to style their hair in order to surprise all the guests and please the prince.

Poor Cinderella has even more work and worries than ever. She had to iron her sisters' dresses, starch their skirts, and sew collars and frills.

All the talk in the house was about outfits.

“I,” said the eldest, “will put on a red velvet dress and a precious headdress that was brought to me from overseas.”

“And I,” said the youngest, “will wear the most modest dress, but I will have a cape embroidered with golden flowers and a diamond belt, which no noble lady has.”

They sent for the most skilful milliner to make them caps with double frills, and bought flies from the best craftswoman in the city.

The sisters kept calling Cinderella over and asking her which comb, ribbon or buckle to choose. They knew that Cinderella had a better understanding of what was beautiful and what was ugly.

No one knew how to pin lace or curl curls as skillfully as she did.

- Why, Cinderella, would you like to go to royal ball? - the sisters asked while she combed their hair in front of the mirror.

- Oh, what are you saying, sisters! You are laughing at me! Will they let me into the palace in this dress and these shoes?

-What's true is true. It would be hilarious if such a dirty little thing showed up at the ball!

Another one in Cinderella’s place would have combed her sisters’ hair as badly as possible. But Cinderella was kind: she combed them as best as possible.

Two days before the ball, the sisters stopped having lunch and dinner out of excitement. They never left the mirror for a minute and tore more than a dozen laces, trying to tighten their waists and make themselves thinner and slimmer.

And finally the long-awaited day has arrived. The stepmother and sisters left.

Cinderella looked after them for a long time, and when their carriage disappeared around the bend, she covered her face with her hands and cried bitterly.

Her godmother, who just at that time came to visit the poor girl, found her in tears.

- What's wrong with you, my child? – she asked. But Cinderella cried so bitterly that she could not even answer.

– You would like to go to the ball, wouldn’t you? - asked the godmother.

She was a fairy - a sorceress - and heard not only what they said, but also what they thought.

“It’s true,” said Cinderella, sobbing.

“Well, just be smart,” said the fairy, “and I’ll make sure that you can visit the palace today.” Run to the garden and bring me a big pumpkin from there!

Cinderella ran to the garden, chose the largest pumpkin and brought it to her godmother. She really wanted to ask how simple pumpkin will help her get to the royal ball. but she did not dare.

And the fairy, without saying a word, cut the pumpkin and took out all the pulp from it. Then she touched its thick yellow crust with her magic wand, and the empty pumpkin immediately turned into a beautiful carved carriage, gilded from roof to wheels.

Then the fairy sent Cinderella to the pantry to get a mousetrap. There were half a dozen live mice in the mousetrap.

The fairy told Cinderella to open the door slightly and release all the mice in turn, one after another. As soon as the mouse ran out of its prison, the fairy touched it with her wand, and from this touch the ordinary gray mouse immediately turned into a gray, mousey horse.

Not even a minute had passed before a magnificent team of six stately horses in silver harness stood in front of Cinderella.

The only thing missing was the coachman.

Noticing that the fairy was thoughtful, Cinderella timidly asked:

- What if we look to see if a rat is caught in the rat trap? Maybe she's fit to be a coachman?

“Your truth,” said the sorceress. - Come take a look.

Cinderella brought a rat trap, from which three large rats looked out.

The fairy chose one of them, the largest and most mustachioed, touched it with her wand, and the rat immediately turned into a fat coachman with a lush mustache - even the chief royal coachman would envy such a mustache.

“Now,” said the fairy, “go into the garden.” There, behind the watering can, on a pile of sand, you will find six lizards. Bring them here.

Before Cinderella had time to shake the lizards out of her apron, the fairy turned them into visiting footmen, dressed in green liveries, decorated with gold braid.

All six of them quickly jumped onto the back of the carriage with such an important look, as if they had served as traveling footmen all their lives and had never been lizards...

“Well,” said the fairy, “now you have your own exit, and you can go to the palace without wasting time.” What, are you satisfied?

- Very! - said Cinderella. - But is it really possible to go to the royal ball in this old dress, stained with ash?

The fairy did not answer. She just lightly touched Cinderella's dress with her magic wand, and the old dress turned into a wonderful outfit of silver and gold brocade, all strewn with precious stones.

The fairy's last gift were shoes made of the purest crystal, the likes of which no girl had ever dreamed of.

When Cinderella was completely ready, the fairy put her in a carriage and strictly ordered her to return home before midnight.

“If you’re even one minute late,” she said. - your carriage will again become a pumpkin, your horses will become mice, your footmen will become lizards, and your magnificent outfit will again turn into an old, patched dress.

- Don't worry, I won't be late! - Cinderella answered and, not remembering herself with joy, went to the palace.

The prince, who was informed that a beautiful woman had arrived at the ball, but no one famous princess, he ran out to meet her. He gave her his hand, helped her out of the carriage and led her into the hall, where the king and queen and the courtiers were already present.

Everything immediately became quiet. The violins fell silent. Both the musicians and the guests involuntarily looked at the unfamiliar beauty, who arrived at the ball later than everyone else.

“Oh, how good she is!” - the gentleman said in a whisper to the gentleman and the lady to the lady.

Even the king, who was very old and was dozing more than looking around, opened his eyes, looked at Cinderella and told the queen in a low voice that he had not seen such a charming person for a long time.

The ladies of the court were only busy examining her dress and headdress in order to order something similar for themselves tomorrow, if only they could find the same skilled craftsmen and the same beautiful fabric.

The prince seated his guest in the place of honor, and as soon as the music started playing, he approached her and invited her to dance.

She danced so easily and gracefully that everyone admired her even more than before.

After the dancing, refreshments were served. But the prince could not eat anything - he did not take his eyes off his lady. And at this time Cinderella found her sisters, sat down with them and, having said a few pleasant words to each, treated them to oranges and lemons, which the prince himself brought to her.

They were very flattered by this. They did not expect such attention from the unfamiliar princess.

But while talking with them, Cinderella suddenly heard that the palace clock was striking eleven o’clock and three quarters. She stood up, bowed to everyone and walked towards the exit so quickly that no one had time to catch up with her.

Returning from the palace, she still managed to run to the sorceress before her stepmother and sisters arrived and thank her for the happy evening.

“Oh, if only I could go to the palace tomorrow!” - she said. - The prince asked me so...

And she told her godmother about everything that happened in the palace.

As soon as Cinderella crossed the threshold and put on her old apron and wooden shoes, there was a knock on the door. It was the stepmother and sisters who returned from the ball.

- How long have you, sisters, been staying in the palace today! - said Cinderella, yawning and stretching as if she had just woken up.

“Well, if you were with us at the ball, you wouldn’t rush home either,” said one of the sisters. “There was one princess there, such a beauty that you couldn’t see anything better in your dreams!” She must have really liked us. She sat down with us and even treated us to oranges and lemons.

- What is her name? – asked Cinderella.

“Well, no one knows that...” said the older sister.

And the youngest added:

“The prince seems ready to give half his life just to find out who she is.” Cinderella smiled.

“Is this princess really that good?” – she asked. – How happy you are!.. Can’t I take a look at her at least with one eye? Ah, sister Javotta, give me for one evening your yellow dress, which you wear at home every day!

- This was just not enough! – Javotta said, shrugging her shoulders. Give your dress to a dirty little girl like you! It seems I haven't lost my mind yet.

Cinderella did not expect a different answer and was not at all upset. Indeed, what would she do if Javotte suddenly became generous and decided to lend her her dress!

The next evening, the sisters went to the palace again - and Cinderella too... This time she was even more beautiful and elegant than the day before.

The prince did not leave her side for a minute. He was so friendly, said such pleasant things that Cinderella forgot about everything in the world, even that she had to leave on time, and only realized it when the clock began to strike midnight.

She got up and ran away faster than a doe.

The prince rushed after her, but there was no trace of her. Only on the step of the stairs lay a small glass slipper. The prince carefully picked her up and ordered her to ask the gatekeepers if any of them had seen where the beautiful princess had gone. But no one saw any princess. True, the gatekeepers noticed that some poor woman ran past them dressed girl, but she looked more like a beggar than a princess.

Meanwhile, Cinderella, panting from fatigue, ran home. She no longer had a carriage or footmen. Her ballroom dress turned back into an old, worn dress, and all that was left of all her splendor was a small crystal slipper, exactly the same as the one she lost on the palace stairs.

When both sisters returned home, Cinderella asked them if they had fun at the ball today and if yesterday’s beauty came to the palace again.

The sisters vying with each other began to tell that the princess was at the ball this time too, but ran away as soon as the clock began to strike twelve.

“She was in such a hurry that she even lost her glass slipper,” said the elder sister.

“And the prince picked it up and didn’t let it out of his hands until the end of the ball,” said the youngest.

“He must be head over heels in love with this beauty who loses her shoes at balls,” added the stepmother.

And it was true. A few days later, the prince ordered it to be announced publicly, to the sound of trumpets and fanfare, that the girl who would fit the glass slipper would become his wife.

Of course, first they began to try on the shoe for princesses, then duchesses, then ladies of the court, but it was all in vain: it was too tight for duchesses, princesses, and ladies of the court.

Finally, it was the turn of Cinderella’s sisters.

Oh, how both sisters tried to pull the little shoe onto their big feet! But she didn’t even get to their fingertips. Cinderella, who recognized her shoe at first sight, looked at these futile attempts, smiling.

“But it seems like she will suit me,” said Cinderella.

The sisters burst into evil laughter. But the court gentleman, who was trying on the shoe, looked carefully at Cinderella and, noticing that she was very beautiful, said:

“I received orders from the prince to try on the shoe for all the girls in the city.” Let me have your leg, madam!

He sat Cinderella in a chair and, putting on glass slipper on her little foot, he immediately saw that he wouldn’t have to try on any more: the shoe was exactly the size of the foot, and the foot was exactly the size of the shoe.

The sisters froze in surprise. But they were even more surprised when Cinderella took a second glass slipper from her pocket - exactly the same as the first, only on the other foot - and put it on without saying a word. At that very moment the door opened and a fairy, Cinderella’s godmother, entered the room.

She touched Cinderella's poor dress with her magic wand, and it became even more magnificent and beautiful than it was the day before at the ball.

Only then did both sisters understand who the beauty they saw in the palace was. They rushed to Cinderella’s feet to beg forgiveness for all the insults she suffered from them. Cinderella forgave her sisters with all her heart - after all, she was not only pretty, but also kind.

She was taken to the palace to the young prince, who found her even more beautiful than before.

And a few days later they had a fun wedding.

The fairy tale Cinderella, or the glass slipper read:

Once upon a time there lived a venerable and noble man. His first wife died, and he married a second time, and to such a grumpy and arrogant woman as the world had never seen.

She had two daughters, very similar to their mother in face, mind, and character.

My husband also had a daughter, kind, friendly, sweet - just like her late mother. And her mother was the most beautiful and kind woman.

And then the new mistress entered the house. It was then that she showed her temper. Everything was not to her taste, but most of all she disliked her stepdaughter. The girl was so good that her stepmother's daughters seemed even worse next to her.

The poor stepdaughter was forced to do all the dirtiest and hardest work in the house: she cleaned boilers and pots, washed stairs, cleaned the rooms of her stepmother and both young ladies - her sisters.

She slept in the attic, right under the roof, on a prickly straw bed. And both sisters had rooms with parquet floors of colored wood, with beds decorated in the latest fashion, and with large mirrors in which it was fashionable to see oneself from head to toe.

The poor girl silently endured all the insults and did not dare to complain even to her father. The stepmother took him into such control that he now looked at everything through her eyes and would probably only scold his daughter for her ingratitude and disobedience.

In the evening, having finished work, she climbed into a corner near the fireplace and sat there on a box of ash. Therefore, the sisters, and after them everyone in the house, nicknamed her Cinderella.

Still, Cinderella, in her old dress, stained with ash, was a hundred times sweeter than her sisters, dressed in velvet and silk.

And then one day the son of the king of that country threw a big ball and called all the noble people with their wives and daughters to it.

Cinderella's sisters also received an invitation to the ball. They were very happy and immediately began to choose outfits and figure out how to style their hair in order to surprise all the guests and please the prince.

Poor Cinderella has even more work and worries than ever. She had to iron her sisters' dresses, starch their skirts, and sew collars and frills.

All the talk in the house was about outfits.

“I,” said the eldest, “will put on a red velvet dress and a precious headdress that was brought to me from overseas.

And I,” said the youngest, “will wear the most modest dress, but I will have a cape embroidered with golden flowers and a diamond belt, which no noble lady has.”

They sent for the most skilful milliner to make them caps with double frills, and bought flies from the best craftswoman in the city.

The sisters kept calling Cinderella over and asking her which comb, ribbon or buckle to choose. They knew that Cinderella had a better understanding of what was beautiful and what was ugly.

No one knew how to pin lace or curl curls as skillfully as she did.

What, Cinderella, would you like to go to the royal ball? - the sisters asked while she combed their hair in front of the mirror.

Oh, what are you doing, sisters! You are laughing at me! Will they let me into the palace in this dress and these shoes?

What's true is true. It would be hilarious if such a dirty little thing showed up at the ball!

Another one in Cinderella’s place would have combed her sisters’ hair as badly as possible. But Cinderella was kind: she combed them as best as possible.

Two days before the ball, the sisters stopped having lunch and dinner out of excitement. They never left the mirror for a minute and tore more than a dozen laces, trying to tighten their waists and make themselves thinner and slimmer.

And finally the long-awaited day has arrived. The stepmother and sisters left.

Cinderella looked after them for a long time, and when their carriage disappeared around the bend, she covered her face with her hands and cried bitterly.

Her godmother, who just at that time came to visit the poor girl, found her in tears.

What's wrong with you, my child? - she asked. But Cinderella cried so bitterly that she could not even answer.

You would like to go to the ball, wouldn't you? - asked the godmother.

She was a fairy - a sorceress - and heard not only what they said, but also what they thought.

True,” said Cinderella, sobbing.

Well, just be smart,” said the fairy, “and I’ll make sure that you can visit the palace today.” Run to the garden and bring me a big pumpkin from there!

Cinderella ran to the garden, chose the largest pumpkin and brought it to her godmother. She really wanted to ask how a simple pumpkin would help her get to the royal ball. but she did not dare.

And the fairy, without saying a word, cut the pumpkin and took out all the pulp from it. Then she touched its thick yellow crust with her magic wand, and the empty pumpkin immediately turned into a beautiful carved carriage, gilded from roof to wheels.

Then the fairy sent Cinderella to the pantry to get a mousetrap. There were half a dozen live mice in the mousetrap.

The fairy told Cinderella to open the door slightly and release all the mice in turn, one after another. As soon as the mouse ran out of its prison, the fairy touched it with her wand, and from this touch the ordinary gray mouse immediately turned into a gray, mousey horse.

Not even a minute had passed before a magnificent team of six stately horses in silver harness stood in front of Cinderella.

The only thing missing was the coachman.

Noticing that the fairy was thoughtful, Cinderella timidly asked:

What if you look to see if a rat is caught in a rat trap? Maybe she's fit to be a coachman?

“Your truth,” said the sorceress. - Come and look.

Cinderella brought a rat trap, from which three large rats looked out.

The fairy chose one of them, the largest and most mustachioed, touched it with her wand, and the rat immediately turned into a fat coachman with a lush mustache - even the chief royal coachman would envy such a mustache.

“And now,” said the fairy, “go into the garden.” There, behind the watering can, on a pile of sand, you will find six lizards. Bring them here.

Before Cinderella had time to shake the lizards out of her apron, the fairy turned them into visiting footmen, dressed in green liveries, decorated with gold braid.

All six of them quickly jumped onto the back of the carriage with such an important look, as if they had served as traveling footmen all their lives and had never been lizards...

Well,” said the fairy, “now you have your own exit, and you can go to the palace without wasting time.” What, are you satisfied?

Very! - said Cinderella. - But is it really possible to go to the royal ball in this old dress, stained with ash?

The fairy did not answer. She just lightly touched Cinderella's dress with her magic wand, and the old dress turned into a wonderful outfit of silver and gold brocade, all strewn with precious stones.

The fairy's last gift were shoes made of the purest crystal, the likes of which no girl had ever dreamed of.

When Cinderella was completely ready, the fairy put her in a carriage and strictly ordered her to return home before midnight.

“If you’re even one minute late,” she said. - your carriage will again become a pumpkin, horses - mice, footmen - lizards, and your magnificent outfit will again turn into an old, patched dress.

Don't worry, I won't be late! - Cinderella answered and, not remembering herself with joy, went to the palace.

The prince, who was informed that a beautiful but unknown princess had arrived at the ball, ran out to meet her. He gave her his hand, helped her out of the carriage and led her into the hall, where the king and queen and the courtiers were already present.

Everything immediately became quiet. The violins fell silent. Both the musicians and the guests involuntarily looked at the unfamiliar beauty, who arrived at the ball later than everyone else.

“Oh, how good she is!” - the gentleman said in a whisper to the gentleman and the lady to the lady.

Even the king, who was very old and was dozing more than looking around, opened his eyes, looked at Cinderella and told the queen in a low voice that he had not seen such a charming person for a long time.

The ladies of the court were only busy examining her dress and headdress in order to order something similar for themselves tomorrow, if only they could find the same skilled craftsmen and the same beautiful fabric.

The prince seated his guest in the place of honor, and as soon as the music started playing, he approached her and invited her to dance.

She danced so easily and gracefully that everyone admired her even more than before.

After the dancing, refreshments were served. But the prince could not eat anything - he did not take his eyes off his lady. And at this time Cinderella found her sisters, sat down with them and, having said a few pleasant words to each, treated them to oranges and lemons, which the prince himself brought to her.

They were very flattered by this. They did not expect such attention from the unfamiliar princess.

But while talking with them, Cinderella suddenly heard that the palace clock was striking eleven o’clock and three quarters. She stood up, bowed to everyone and walked towards the exit so quickly that no one had time to catch up with her.

Returning from the palace, she still managed to run to the sorceress before her stepmother and sisters arrived and thank her for the happy evening.

Oh, if only I could go to the palace tomorrow! - she said. - The prince asked me so...

And she told her godmother about everything that happened in the palace.

As soon as Cinderella crossed the threshold and put on her old apron and wooden shoes, there was a knock on the door. It was the stepmother and sisters who returned from the ball.

How long have you, sisters, been staying in the palace today! - said Cinderella, yawning and stretching as if she had just woken up.

Well, if you were with us at the ball, you wouldn’t rush home either,” said one of the sisters. - There was one princess there, such a beauty that you couldn’t see anything better in your dreams! She must have really liked us. She sat down with us and even treated us to oranges and lemons.

What is her name? - asked Cinderella.

Well, no one knows that... - said the older sister.

And the youngest added:

The prince seems ready to give half his life just to find out who she is. Cinderella smiled.

Is this princess really that good? - she asked. - How happy you are!.. Is it possible for me to look at her at least with one eye? Ah, sister Javotta, give me for one evening your yellow dress, which you wear at home every day!

This was just not enough! - Javotta said, shrugging her shoulders. Give your dress to a dirty little girl like you! It seems I haven't lost my mind yet.

Cinderella did not expect a different answer and was not at all upset. Indeed, what would she do if Javotte suddenly became generous and decided to lend her her dress!

The next evening, the sisters went to the palace again - and Cinderella too... This time she was even more beautiful and elegant than the day before.

The prince did not leave her side for a minute. He was so friendly, said such pleasant things that Cinderella forgot about everything in the world, even that she had to leave on time, and only realized it when the clock began to strike midnight.

She got up and ran away faster than a doe.

The prince rushed after her, but there was no trace of her. Only on the step of the stairs lay a small glass slipper. The prince carefully picked her up and ordered her to ask the gatekeepers if any of them had seen where the beautiful princess had gone. But no one saw any princess. True, the gatekeepers noticed that some poorly dressed girl ran past them, but she looked more like a beggar than a princess.

Meanwhile, Cinderella, panting from fatigue, ran home. She no longer had a carriage or footmen. Her ballroom dress turned back into an old, worn dress, and all that was left of all her splendor was a small crystal slipper, exactly the same as the one she lost on the palace stairs.

When both sisters returned home, Cinderella asked them if they had fun at the ball today and if yesterday’s beauty came to the palace again.

The sisters vying with each other began to tell that the princess was at the ball this time too, but ran away as soon as the clock began to strike twelve.

She was in such a hurry that she even lost her glass slipper,” said the elder sister.

“And the prince picked it up and didn’t let it out of his hands until the end of the ball,” said the youngest.

“He must be head over heels in love with this beauty who loses her shoes at balls,” added the stepmother.

And it was true. A few days later, the prince ordered it to be announced publicly, to the sound of trumpets and fanfare, that the girl who would fit the glass slipper would become his wife.

Of course, first they began to try on the shoe for princesses, then duchesses, then ladies of the court, but it was all in vain: it was too tight for duchesses, princesses, and ladies of the court.

Finally, it was the turn of Cinderella’s sisters.

Oh, how both sisters tried to pull the little shoe onto their big feet! But she didn’t even get to their fingertips. Cinderella, who recognized her shoe at first sight, looked at these futile attempts, smiling.

“But she seems to fit me well,” said Cinderella.

The sisters burst into evil laughter. But the court gentleman, who was trying on the shoe, looked carefully at Cinderella and, noticing that she was very beautiful, said:

I received orders from the prince to try on the shoe for all the girls in the city. Let me have your leg, madam!

He sat Cinderella in a chair and, putting the glass slipper on her little foot, immediately saw that he wouldn’t have to try on any more: the shoe was exactly the same as the foot, and the foot was exactly the same as the shoe.

The sisters froze in surprise. But they were even more surprised when Cinderella took a second glass slipper from her pocket - exactly the same as the first, only on the other foot - and put it on without saying a word. At that very moment the door opened and a fairy, Cinderella’s godmother, entered the room.

She touched Cinderella's poor dress with her magic wand, and it became even more magnificent and beautiful than it was the day before at the ball.

Only then did both sisters understand who the beauty they saw in the palace was. They rushed to Cinderella’s feet to beg forgiveness for all the insults she suffered from them. Cinderella forgave her sisters with all her heart - after all, she was not only pretty, but also kind.

She was taken to the palace to the young prince, who found her even more beautiful than before.

And a few days later they had a fun wedding.

Once upon a time there lived alone a happy family: father, mother and their only daughter, whom her parents loved very much. They lived carefree and joyfully for many years.

Unfortunately, one autumn, when the girl was sixteen years old, her mother became seriously ill and died a week later. A deep sadness reigned in the house.

Two years have passed. The girl's father met a widow who had two daughters, and soon married her.

From day one, the stepmother hated her stepdaughter. She forced her to do all the housework and did not give her a moment's rest. Every now and then I heard:

- Come on, get moving, lazy one, bring some water!

- Come on, slacker, sweep the floor!

- Well, what are you waiting for, dirty fellow, throw some wood in the fireplace!

The girl was indeed always covered in ash and dust from dirty work. Soon everyone, even her father, began to call her Cinderella, and she herself forgot her name.

Stepsisters Cinderella was no different in character from her angry and grumpy mother. Jealous of the girl's beauty, they forced her to serve them and found fault with her all the time.

One day, a rumor spread around the area that the young prince, bored alone in his large palace, was going to throw a ball, and not just one, but several days in a row.

“Well, my dears,” said the stepmother to her ugly daughters, “Fate has finally smiled at you.” We're going to the ball. I am sure that the prince will definitely like one of you and he will want to marry her.

– Don’t worry, we will find some minister for the other one.

The sisters couldn't be happier. On the day of the ball, they never left the mirror, trying on outfits. Finally in the evening, dressed up and dressed up, they got into a carriage and drove to the palace. But before leaving, the stepmother sternly said to Cinderella:

And don't think that you'll be idle while we're not home. I'll find a job for you.

She looked around. On the table, near a large pumpkin, there were two plates: one with millet, the other with poppy seeds. The stepmother poured the millet into a plate with poppy seeds and stirred.

- And here’s something for you to do for the whole night: separate the millet from the poppy seeds.

Cinderella was left alone. For the first time ever, she cried out of resentment and despair. How to sort through all this and separate millet from poppy seeds? And how can one not cry when all the girls are having fun today at the ball in the palace, and she is sitting here, in rags, all alone?

Suddenly the room lit up with light, and a beauty appeared in a white dress and with a crystal wand in her hand.

– You would like to go to the ball, wouldn’t you?

- Oh yes! – Cinderella answered with a sigh.

“Don’t be sad, Cinderella,” she said, “I am a good fairy.” Now let's figure out how to help your trouble.

With these words, she touched the plate that stood on the table with her chopstick. In an instant, the millet separated from the poppy seed.

– Do you promise to be obedient in everything? Then I will help you go to the ball. “The sorceress hugged Cinderella and told her: “Go to the garden and bring me a pumpkin.”

Cinderella ran to the garden, chose the best pumpkin and took it to the sorceress, although she could not understand how the pumpkin would help her get to the ball.

The sorceress hollowed out the pumpkin right down to the crust, then touched it with her magic wand, and the pumpkin instantly turned into a gilded carriage.

Then the sorceress looked into the mousetrap and saw that six live mice were sitting there.

She told Cinderella to open the mousetrap door. She touched every mouse that jumped out of there with a magic wand, and the mouse immediately turned into a beautiful horse.

And now, instead of six mice, an excellent team of six horses of the dappled mouse color appeared.

The sorceress thought:

- Where can I get a coachman from?

“I’ll go and see if there’s a rat in the rat trap,” said Cinderella. “You can make a coachman out of a rat.”

- Right! – the sorceress agreed. - Go take a look.

Cinderella brought a rat trap where three large rats were sitting.

The sorceress chose one, the largest and most mustachioed, touched it with her wand, and the rat turned into a fat coachman with a lush mustache.

Then the sorceress said to Cinderella:

– There are six lizards sitting in the garden, behind a watering can. Go get them for me.

Before Cinderella had time to bring the lizards, the sorceress turned them into six servants dressed in gold-embroidered liveries. They jumped onto the back of the carriage so deftly, as if they had never done anything else their entire lives.

“Well, now you can go to the ball,” said the sorceress to Cinderella. -Are you satisfied?

- Certainly! But how can I go in such a disgusting dress?

The sorceress touched Cinderella with her wand, and the old dress instantly turned into an outfit of gold and silver brocade, richly embroidered with precious stones.

In addition, the sorceress gave her a pair of glass slippers. The world has never seen such beautiful shoes!

- Go to the ball, my dear! You deserve it! - exclaimed the fairy. “But remember, Cinderella, at exactly midnight the power of my spell will end: your dress will again turn into rags, and your carriage into an ordinary pumpkin.” Remember this!

Cinderella promised the sorceress to leave the palace before midnight and, beaming with happiness, went to the ball.

The king's son was informed that an unknown, very important princess had arrived. He hurried to meet her, helped her out of the carriage and led her into the hall where the guests had already gathered.

When Cinderella, dressed like a princess, entered the ballroom, everyone fell silent and looked towards the unfamiliar beauty.

- Who else is this? – Cinderella’s stepsisters asked displeasedly.

Silence immediately fell in the hall: the guests stopped dancing, the violinists stopped playing - everyone was so amazed by the beauty of the unfamiliar princess.

- What a beautiful girl! - they whispered around.

Even the old king himself could not get enough of her and kept repeating in the queen’s ear that he had not seen such a beautiful and sweet girl for a long time.

And the ladies carefully examined her outfit in order to order exactly the same one for themselves tomorrow, but they were afraid that they would not find enough rich materials and enough skilled craftswomen.

The prince took her to the place of honor and invited her to dance. She danced so well that everyone admired her even more.

Soon various sweets and fruits were served. But the prince did not touch the delicacies - he was so busy with the beautiful princess.

And she went up to her sisters, spoke warmly to them and shared the oranges that the prince had treated her to.

The sisters were very surprised at such kindness from the unfamiliar princess.

But time flew inexorably forward. Remembering the words of the good fairy, Cinderella kept glancing at her watch. At five minutes to twelve the girl suddenly stopped dancing and ran out of the palace. A golden carriage was already waiting for her at the porch. The horses neighed joyfully and took Cinderella home.

Returning home, she first of all ran to the good sorceress, thanked her and said that she would like to go to the ball again tomorrow - the prince really asked her to come.

While she was telling the sorceress about everything that happened at the ball, there was a knock on the door - the sisters had arrived. Cinderella went to open the door for them.

- You spent a long time at the ball! - she said, rubbing her eyes and stretching as if she had just woken up.

In fact, since they broke up, she hasn't felt like sleeping at all.

“If you attended the ball,” said one of the sisters, “you would never be bored.” The princess arrived there - and how beautiful she is! There is no one more beautiful than her in the world. She was very kind to us and treated us to oranges.

Cinderella trembled all over with joy. She asked what the princess's name was, but the sisters replied that no one knew her and the prince was very upset about this. He would give anything to know who she was.

- She must be very beautiful! – Cinderella said smiling. - And you are lucky! How I would like to look at her at least with one eye!.. Dear sister, please lend me your yellow house dress.

- I just made it up! - answered the older sister. - Why would I give my dress to such a dirty person? No way in the world!

Cinderella knew that her sister would refuse her, and she was even happy - what would she do if her sister agreed to give her her dress!

– Did you do what I told you? – the stepmother asked sternly.

Imagine the surprise of the evil stepmother and her daughters when they saw that everything in the house was sparkling clean, and the poppy seeds were separated from the millet!

The next evening, the stepmother and Cinderella's stepsisters again gathered for the ball.

- This time you will have more work“,” said the stepmother, “here’s a bag of peas mixed with beans.” Separate the peas from the beans before our arrival, otherwise you will have a bad time!

And again Cinderella was left alone. But a minute later the room was again illuminated with a wonderful light.

“Let’s not waste time,” said the good fairy, “we need to get ready for the ball as soon as possible, Cinderella.” “With one wave of her magic wand, the fairy separated the peas from the beans.

Cinderella went to the ball and was even more elegant than the first time. The prince did not leave her side and whispered all sorts of pleasantries to her.

But this time, Cinderella, carried away by the handsome prince, completely forgot about time. Music, dancing and happiness took her to the sky.

Cinderella had a lot of fun, and she completely forgot about what the sorceress ordered her. She thought that it was not yet eleven o'clock, when suddenly the clock began to strike midnight.

Is it really midnight already? But the clock inexorably struck twelve times.

Having come to her senses, Cinderella snatched her hand from the prince’s and hurried out of the palace. The prince rushed to catch up with her. But the scarlet shoes flashed faster than lightning along the steps of the wide palace staircase. The prince did not have time to catch up with the girl. He only heard the door slam and the wheels of the carriage driving away creaked.

Saddened, he stood at the top of the stairs and was about to leave when he suddenly noticed something below. It was a shoe that a beautiful stranger had lost.

The young man carefully, like some kind of jewel, picked her up and pressed her to his chest. He will find the mysterious princess, even if he has to search for her all his life!

He asked the guards at the gate if anyone had seen where the princess had gone. The guards replied that they only saw a poorly dressed girl run out of the palace, looking more like a peasant woman than a princess.

Cinderella ran home out of breath, without a carriage, without servants, in her old dress. Of all the luxury, she only had one glass slipper left.

When Cinderella returned home almost at dawn, her stepmother and stepsisters had already arrived from the ball.

- Where have you been? Have you been idle again? – they asked displeasedly.

But then the stepmother’s face twisted with anger. In the corner of the kitchen she saw two bags of peas and beans - her task was completed.

Cinderella asked the sisters if they had as much fun as yesterday, and if the beautiful princess came again.

The sisters replied that she had arrived, but only when the clock began to strike midnight did she start running - so quickly that she dropped her beautiful glass slipper from her foot. The prince picked up the shoe and did not take his eyes off it until the end of the ball. It is clear that he is in love with the beautiful princess - the owner of the shoe.

After the disappearance of the beauty, the prince stopped giving balls in the palace, and a rumor spread throughout the entire area that he was looking throughout the kingdom for that same mysterious beauty who appeared at the ball twice, but both times disappeared exactly at midnight. It was also known that the prince would marry a girl who would fit the scarlet slipper.

First, the shoe was tried on for princesses, then for duchesses, then for all the court ladies in a row. But she was no good for anyone.

Soon the prince and his retinue came to the house where Cinderella lived. The stepsisters rushed to try on the shoe. But the elegant shoe never wanted to fit on their big feet. The prince was about to leave when suddenly Cinderella’s father said:

- Wait, Your Highness, we have another daughter!

Hope flashed in the prince's eyes.

“Don’t listen to him, your highness,” the stepmother immediately intervened. -What kind of daughter is this? This is our maid, the eternal mess.

The prince looked sadly at the dirty girl dressed in rags and sighed.

“Well, every girl in my kingdom should try on the shoe.”

Cinderella took off her rough shoe and easily put the slipper on her graceful foot. It suited her just right.

The sisters were very surprised. But what was their amazement when Cinderella took out a second identical shoe from her pocket and put it on the other foot!

The prince looked carefully into the eyes of the girl in rags and recognized her.

- So you are my beautiful stranger!

Then the good sorceress arrived, touched Cinderella’s old dress with her wand, and before everyone’s eyes it turned into a magnificent outfit, even more luxurious than before. That's when the sisters saw who the beautiful princess was who was coming to the ball! They threw themselves on their knees in front of Cinderella and began to ask for forgiveness for treating her so badly.