Cinderella or The Little Glass Slipper

In a small country household, a gentle and kind young girl is forced into a life of drudgery by her cruel stepmother and vain stepsisters. Known only as “Cinderella” for the ashes on her clothes, she endures her hardships with patience and grace. But when the King’s son invites every lady in the land to a grand royal ball, a touch of magic changes everything. With the help of her fairy godmother, a pumpkin becomes a gilded carriage, mice become fine horses, and Cinderella herself is transformed into a vision of beauty—adorned with the most exquisite glass slippers in the world. Yet the enchantment comes with one condition: she must leave before midnight. When the clock strikes twelve, Cinderella flees, leaving behind a single glass slipper. The Prince, determined to find the mysterious young woman who captured his heart, sets out to discover whose foot the slipper will fit—and to change her life forever. First published in 1697, Charles Perrault’s timeless tale has enchanted readers for centuries with its themes of kindness, resilience, and the belief that dreams can come true. This classic fairy tale is brought to life in a warm, heartfelt narration by Heather Nichols.