The Cinderella Story

The Cinderella Story is a famous one. Cinderella was living happily with her family when her mother died. Her father remarried. Cinderella’s new stepmother and two stepsisters mistreated her. She was forced to wear old clothes and work hard while the sisters wore fancy clothes and had fun.

You know the rest of the story. A good witch helped Cinderella. She turned Cinderella’s old clothes into a beautiful gown. Cinderella went to a party and a prince fell in love with her. Cinderella left the party in a hurry and didn’t tell the prince her name. But she did leave a glass slipper and the prince used that to find her. They got married and lived happily ever after.

The Cinderella story is found in many different countries with slight variations. In an African version, there is one stepsister, not two. In a version form the Philippines, a forest spirit helps the Cinderella character. Settareh, a Middle Eastern Cinderella, goes to a New Year’s party.

Cinderella is not always a woman. In an Irish variation, a young boy, Becan, marries a princess and lives happily ever after. There’s even a rap version of the story: Cinder-Elly wants to go to a basketball game, not a party, to meet a basketball player.

Famous actresses have starred in the Cinderella story. Julie Andrews appeared in a 1957 TV version. More recently, the singers Whitney Houston and Brandy starred in another retelling of the story.

Why is the Cinderella story so popular? Why is the story found in so many cultures? There are perhaps several reasons. First of all, it’s a romantic story, which is a popular style. Also, Cinderella is a kind girl with a hard life. That makes people feel sympathy for her. Finally, she faces many challenges and triumphs in the end. The ending of the story makes everyone feel happy.

1. Treated in a cruel or unfair way mistreated

2. A long dress worn on formal occasions gown

3. Differences variations

4. Ghost spirit

5. Kindness sympathy

6. Wins triumphs

1. f2. c3. d4. e5. b6. a