Once upon a time, there lived a kind girl named Cinderella. She lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters who were not kind. They made Cinderella do all the work. She had to sweep, wash, and clean all day. 'Cinderella, clean my room!' one sister would shout. 'Cinderella, fix my dress!' the other would yell. One day, an invitation came from the castle. The king was having a big, royal ball. The stepsisters were so excited to see the prince, but they laughed at Cinderella. 'You? Go to the ball?' they said. 'You must stay here and clean!' This made Cinderella feel very, very sad.
Cinderella went to the garden and cried. Suddenly, a bright light glowed! It was her Fairy Godmother. 'Do not be sad,' she said kindly. 'You are a kind girl. You will go to the ball!' With a wave of her magic wand, 'Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!' she turned a pumpkin into a beautiful coach. Little mice became horses to pull it. 'Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!' The Fairy Godmother waved her wand again. Cinderella's old, dirty dress disappeared, and she was wearing a beautiful, sparkly blue dress. On her feet were two tiny, perfect slippers made of magic glass.
Cinderella was so happy! 'Wow!' she gasped. 'Now, have fun,' said the Fairy Godmother. 'But you must remember one rule. The magic stops at midnight. You must be home when the clock strikes twelve!' Cinderella promised. She went to the ball, and she was the most beautiful girl there. The kind prince saw her and smiled. He danced with Cinderella all night. They were so happy, she forgot all about the time.
Suddenly, the big clock started to chime. DONG! DONG! DONG! It was midnight! 'Oh no! I must go!' Cinderella cried. She ran as fast as she could. She ran so fast that one of her little, sparkly glass slippers fell off her foot. The prince found the slipper. 'I will find her,' he said. The next day, he went to every house. The slipper did not fit the stepsisters. Their feet were too big. Then the prince saw Cinderella. She put her little foot out. The slipper slid on. It was a perfect fit! The prince was so happy. Cinderella and the prince were married, and they lived happily and kindly ever after.