Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Cinderella: Part 2
Episode Date: February 19, 2024Narrator: Thomas Jones 🇬🇧 Writer: Alicia Steffann ✍️ Sound design: magical chimes, crickets, light breeze Includes mentions of: Food, Magic, Nostalgia, Death, Winter, Romance, Gratitude, Fan...tastical Creatures, Animals, Ice & Snow, Fantastical Elements, Grandparents, Fantasy, Worries, Dreams, Working, Parents, Family. Welcome back, sleepyheads. Tonight, we return to the classic fairytale of Cinderella, joining our protagonist as she prepares to make her way to the Prince's ball. 😴 Watch, listen and comment on this episode on the Get Sleepy YouTube channel. And hit subscribe while you're there! Enjoy various playlists of our stories and meditations on our Slumber Studios Spotify profile. Support our Sponsors Check out the great products and deals from Get Sleepy sponsors: getsleepy.com/sponsors/ Support Us - Get Sleepy’s Premium Feed: https://getsleepy.com/support/. - Get Sleepy Merchandise: https://getsleepy.com/store. - Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/get-sleepy/id1487513861. Connect Stay up to date on all podcast news and even vote on upcoming episodes! - Website: https://getsleepy.com/. - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getsleepypod/. - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getsleepypod/. - Twitter: https://twitter.com/getsleepypod. Get Sleepy FAQs Have a query for us or need help with something? You might find your answer here: Get Sleepy FAQs About Get Sleepy Get Sleepy is the #1 story-telling podcast designed to help you get a great night’s rest. By combining sleep meditation with a relaxing bedtime story, each episode will guide you gently towards sleep. Get Sleepy Premium Get instant access to ad-free episodes, as well as the Thursday night bonus episode by subscribing to our premium feed. It's easy! Sign up in two taps! Get Sleepy Premium feed includes: Monday and Wednesday night episodes (with zero ads). The exclusive Thursday night bonus episode. Access to the entire back catalog (also ad-free). Extra-long episodes Exclusive sleep meditation episodes. Discounts on merchandise. We’ll love you forever. Get your 7-day free trial: https://getsleepy.com/support. Thank you so much for listening! Feedback? Let us know your thoughts! https://getsleepy.com/contact-us/. That’s all for now. Sweet dreams ❤️ 😴 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy.
I'm your host, Thomas. Thanks so much for tuning in. Tonight we resume our sleepy
retelling of the classic tale of Cinderella. This is the second of three parts in this series.
The first episode came out last Monday, which I'll recap in just a moment. But if
you haven't heard that one yet, feel free to pause here and go back and listen to part
one now. You can always return to this episode when you're ready. In the first part of our tale, we met a young woman named
Arabella. When her father's travels take him away from home, she's left with her
mean-spirited stepmother and step-sisters. As the years go by, Arabella is forced to cook and clean for them.
Before long, they've started calling her Cinderella, because of the suit that covers her clothing.
One day, the king and queen of the realm, announce they are taking their son, the prince
and heir, on a trip around the kingdom, and they'll be having a ball, to which all the
best families are invited.
After her stepmother and stepsisters leave, Cinderella is left at home and dejected on
the night of the ball.
But then, to her surprise, a beautiful spectral woman appears near her mother's beloved
hazel tree.
The apparition says she is Cinderella's godmother. She dresses Cinderella
in a beautiful gown and delicate slippers and adorns her with her mother's precious And with a wave of her hand, she creates a magical pumpkin carriage.
But the godmother warns Cinderella that she must be home by midnight before the enchantment
ends.
Shortly, we'll pick up where we left off and continue our tale. But first let's
take a brief moment to get truly settled so we can enjoy this story to the
fullest.
As with all three parts of this tale, the stories are nice and lengthy, so you've got ample time to drift off while you listen along. Just take some deep breaths in through the nose and softly out through the nose or mouth.
And remind yourself that there's nothing left for you to do today. Now is your time to simply let things be,
and to rest and recharge. Anything that you didn't manage to get done today, know that you'll find some time to
sort it in the days ahead. and enjoy the opportunity to rest. So continue to breathe in a slow and steady
pattern, sensing your body and mind giving into the comfort more and more with each soothing exhale.
Now we're ready to return to our story. We pick up the tale with Cinderella stepping into her magical carriage on her way to the Prince's Ball.
This is where our story begins. Henry the coachman held out his hand gallantly and gestured to the step that would allow
his lovely passenger to take her seat.
The coach itself was very fine in appearance, far more impressive than anything her sisters could have borrowed
from a neighbour. It was a rich brown colour, and it stood up high on large spindly wheels.
There were lamps mounted on either side, in both the front and the back, so that the night
would not seem so dark.
Slipping into the coach with wonder, Cinderella settled into its comfortable upholstered seats, and Henry handed her a soft blanket
to keep her warm.
Then, he climbed up onto the driver's seat, and clucked his tongue imperiously. The horses trotted gaily forward, giving Cinderella just a brief moment to wave gratefully to
her godmother, who seemed to already be fading from the garden. Cinderella peered backwards for a moment, not wanting her to disappear.
This was all such a whirlwind.
She didn't want the magic to dissipate too. What had formally seemed a blustery and unforgiving night, became an evening of clear skies and
chilly stars.
Cinderella snuggled down under her blanket in the comfortable coach, feeling the soft bouncing of the conveyance as it
sped across the miles to her destination. She had hardly left the house in years,
let alone having gone anywhere in such style. Although her mind was on the magical night ahead, she also
wanted to relish every single moment of this impossible trip. Almost too soon, the carriage was slowing down as it entered the long circular drive
of the country palace.
Cinderella had heard of this place, but she had never actually laid eyes on it, and it
was truly magnificent.
The palace had been constructed more than a hundred years ago, and it boasted a huge
main portico in the centre, creating the grandest approach possible.
This part of the palace was flanked by a dramatic tower at either end.
East and west wings stretched on either side of those towers in a horseshoe shape. These portions of the house were nearly
identical and Cinderella couldn't help trying to count how many bedrooms they
must contain. There were pillars lining the entire front of the building, interspersed with rows of
very tall windows that hinted of high ceiling to reception rooms within.
Atop the roofs of all these parts of the palace were statues, which felt like they were the
dignitaries of the past, keeping watch over the arrivals.
It was all Cinderella could do to muster her courage and lift up her chin when the footmen opened
the door to her courage and invited her to step down.
As she set first one and then the other delicate slipper down to the front steps. She looked back over her
shoulder at Henry. He winked at her and signalled the horses that they were to move forward. She knew that he would be back for her in time to return to her home before the spell
broke. He was such a faithful friend. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the tall flight of stone stairs and began to climb.
As she did, the beautiful strains of a waltz and the golden glow of what seemed to be a
thousand low-lit lamps poured out the front doors. She became briefly concerned when she saw that guests
were waiting at the door to be announced one by one. How would she explain her presence
to her stepmother? In all the commotion, however, she was able to slip by the group of people
at the entrance and melt into the crowd, unnoticed.
But this invisibility was short-lived, for Cinderella was truly unaware of what a stunning
beauty she was.
Even if she had not been wearing the most incredible gown in the room, her natural loveliness would
have drawn every eye. As she drifted through the ballroom, taking in
the lavish food, the opulent decorations, and the festive music, she left a trail of
turning heads and whispers in her wake. It was the question on every other guest's
tongue. Who was this astounding young lady? Nobody seemed to know. In fact, her transformation was so profound that Lydia and her daughters had no idea that
their Cinderella was in their presence.
Until the moment she arrived, they were focused entirely on the royal family, who were seated
graciously on elaborate chairs in the front of the room.
The king and queen were all smiles, and the prince was more handsome than any of them had dared to hope.
The three women were in consultation about what they could do to gain an introduction
or catch the prince's eye.
Thus far, he had not left his seat.
But when Cinderella floated through the ballroom, caught up in her own awe, the prince shifted
forward a bit in his chair, his gaze into the crowd intensified. Then he summoned a stately-looking servant
who was posted near him and whispered in the man's ear. The man might have been seen to gaze across the room, easily identifying the subject of
the prince's interest.
As it turned chair, the prince
rose and walked towards Cinderella. parted smoothly before him, each guest dropping in a bow. When he reached the
glittering girl, she summoned the most graceful curtsy she could manage and and looked down at his shoes, whispering, your royal highness.
He reached out his hand and lifted her up, meeting her gaze with a warm smile.
In response, he said, would you honour me with a dance?
It had been years since Cinderella's childhood dancing lessons, but that didn't seem to
matter. The prince was a confident lead and it seemed her feet simply knew where to go.
As they swayed and spun and laughed, the other couples in the ballroom and the
gawkers on the sidelines seemed to melt away.
Breathless with delight, they never seemed to stop to talk, and the prince appeared to
have no desire to choose a new partner. With the vibrant colours of the frescoes spinning
above their heads, and the had still not exchanged names.
It seemed impossible to Cinderella when she heard the clock toll eleven. It was, she later reflected, the most doleful sound she had ever had.
Knowing she only had a few minutes to make her leave, she shyly told the Prince that
she would be right back. back, for what else could she say to him that would not end with having to reveal her name?
He stepped back graciously, nodding his head. Then he said, I will be counting the moments.
The crowd around them murmured as she moved towards the front hall.
As soon as she had separated from him, they closed in, hoping to finally get a chance
to introduce him to the other young ladies, who had been watching
him dance with this mysterious girl all evening.
Seeing her opportunity and knowing it was probably brief, Cinderella flew across the front hall in her slippers, lightly running
down the front steps. As she had hoped, her carriage was waiting with Henry in the driver's
seat. A footman opened the carriage door for her, and she slipped quietly into the safe darkness
of the cushioned interior.
In a moment, Henry had urged the horses forward, and the coach rolled down the drive in a stately manner, as if
nothing in the world were amiss. a tad breathless, and put her hand on her flushed cheek. She was filled with a rush
of contradictory emotions. The thrill of the evening and of the princess company company, competed with her nervousness at being discovered.
She couldn't even imagine the wrath Lydia and her stepsisters would direct at her if
they found out she had been the one to monopolise the prince all evening.
And how could she possibly explain this dress? This incredible
carriage? Her dog turning into a coachman. As Henry whisked her away towards home. She laughed to herself, pulling the blanket up to her
chin. This entire experience had been so unbelievable. She imagined regaling her father with the tail, and tears briefly welled up in her eyes. Oh, how she
would have loved to share it with him.
The carriage pulled into the driveway well before midnight. As she had expected, nobody else was home. Agnes
and Imogen would be staying at the magic would only last a few more
moments. Wanting to hang on to it as long as possible, she left Henry and the coach
and followed the path back to her mother's garden.
The stars winked in the cold skies above, and a light breeze whistled through the courtyard.
She sat gingerly on the edge of the stone bench, taking care not to damage the beautiful fabric of her gown.
Lovingly touching her necklace, she closed her eyes and whispered a heartfelt thanks to this fairy who had appeared to help her. This
godmother had changed her entire life in a single evening. At that moment, she felt through the necklace and the presence of that magic,
like her mother was truly with her, and that perhaps she always had been.
She was not alone.
She was not alone. There was no clock to toll in the garden, but midnight broke the enchantment with a
whisper.
It was as if a gentle wind brushed across her, the leaves tumbled over the paving stones in a small
gust.
Then she was once again in her house dress, with Henry wagging his tail at her side. Turning to look at the place where the carriage had
stood, she saw the pumpkin. With resignation, she walked over to it and returned the gourd to its slumber in the patch.
She looked at Henry with a small smile, and he tilted his head and whimpered softly. bed, my friend," she said quietly. And then she made her way into the darkened house,
taking refuge in her bedroom. She lit a small fire for herself, to ward off the freezing night air. And then she gratefully
climbed into bed. She was so very tired all of a sudden. Cinderella closed her eyes, and all she saw were silk gowns, spinning and twirling, and
the handsome face of the prince, who would surely haunt her dreams. When she opened her eyes again, the sun was streaming through the drapes, and the house
was quiet. Cinderella sat up and stretched luxuriously. The events of the night before came flooding back, prompting her to slide out of bed and
peek out of the window.
The borrowed carriage from the neighbour stood in the driveway, and there was no sign of her adventures.
The garden looked the same as it always did.
There was no gown, no fairy godmother, no pair of chestnut horses, and Henry was standing inside her bedroom door, anxious for her to
open it.
Looking at the clock, she realized she had slept in. It was already eight, and she had fires to light and breakfast to serve.
Luckily, the other exhausted ladies of the house were still a bed and might sleep through
the ball.
Cinderella was in luck.
Lydia, Agnes and Imogen were snoring away in their rooms, until the sun was high in the
sky.
The moody weather of the day before had been replaced by brilliant, crisp weather, and
Cinderella felt happier than she'd been in years. She hummed to herself as she completed her usual chores,
unable to stop smiling about her secret. She might never again attend such a wonderful ball, but she felt as if the memory would
stay with her forever.
Most importantly though, she felt like there was a protective presence in the house with
her now. It was as if there was nothing Lydia or her stepsisters could do or say to
hurt her feelings anymore. When they finally did get themselves up, the other ladies were far more interested in gossiping about the ball than they were
in taunting Cinderella.
As she went about her daily tasks, she listened to them surreptitiously discussing the glamorous
event and the mystery woman who had so enchanted the prince.
To be certain, they were both quite put out that neither of them claimed a dance with
him. Their mother chastised Agnes and Imogen, saying they must not have such ridiculous expectations.
It was important that they were seen in the company of all the fashionable people present.
It would certainly increase their chances of landing another eligible gentleman from
the neighborhood.
The girls both received this scolding with ill temper.
As soon as their mother left the room, they returned to their scandalised whispering. The household
returned to its daily routine, but the boredom was not to last for long. A few days later, another invitation arrived.
It seemed that the royal family had decided to throw a second ball, and all the ladies
of the house were once again invited. This threw Agnes and Imogen into a fair tizzy, and the dressmaker
was summoned once again. Another section of Malcolm's library disappeared, and new gowns were ordered. After all, Lydia said over dinner, a young lady could
not be seen twice in the same gown at consecutive royal balls.
The dance was to be held in a week's time, and as the earliest days of winter settled
upon the household, the mood was festive.
On their social visits around town, Agnes and Imogen had heard the rumour that the prince was hoping to once again attract
the dazzling young lady who had so intrigued him on the last occasion.
Naturally, the two awkward sisters hoped that she wouldn't appear this time, so they could have another
chance at meeting the prince. However, there were always other gentlemen who would be present,
and as their mother pointed out, that was of great value to them.
pointed out, that was of great value to them. Secretly, Cinderella was torn, and she became a bit clumsy that her magical fairy godmother would turn up
again and produce the beautiful dress and the coach for a second time.
However, the practical side of the girl wanted to guard her heart from disappointment.
She resolved to assume that she would not be granted that gift a second time.
Once was good enough, she told herself.
Once was enough. But she dreamed of dancing at night.
The day of the second ball finally arrived. Lydia had trespassed upon the kindness of yet another neighbour
and borrowed a passable carriage. Meanwhile, Agnes and Imogen were more demanding than Cinderella was required to starch their crinolines until they practically stood up on their own.
She was ordered to curl and arrange hair, to help with butting gowns.
She had hardly a moment to dwell on what the night may or may not have held that
would contribute to her own happiness. This time, as she watched the carriage with the
other ladies pull away, she knew that she'd be heading straight for her bench in the garden.
Henry trotted at her heels, and her shawl was pulled tightly around herself again,
for the scent of the first snow was on the wind, and the cold was biting.
Pushing open the gate, she felt some disappointment not to see her golden dress hanging on the
tree once more. She chastised herself and perched on the stone bench,
roofily scratching Henry behind the ears. It had been too much to hope that her fairy
godmother would make the magic happen a second time.
Looking up at the sky, she tried to think positive thoughts.
She closed her eyes and relived those breathless moments of gliding across the dance floor
on that last perfect night.
She felt the starry candlelight all around her.
She felt the heat of the crowded room. She sensed the smoothness of the marble under her feet.
the smoothness of the marble under her feet, and when she opened her eyes again, her astonishment knew no bounds. To her left, a shining silver gown glittered in the tree.
Beneath it, a pair of lovely matching slippers, balanced on the ground.
And on an outer branch, next to the dress, hung a delicate silver and sapphire necklace.
She was nearly certain once again that it was a treasure that had mysteriously come from her mother's box.
She was sure she had seen it before. Turning her head, she saw with joy that her shimmering fairy godmother
stood nearby. She smiled at Cinderella, managing to be at the same time, hardly visible, and completely present.
Her love and goodwill flooded the garden with a rosy glow that lifted the girl's spirits. With a small gasp, Cinderella realized she was about to have another adventure.
Without a word, the apparition motioned at two birds sitting in the hazel tree.
Instantly, a coach stood in the driveway.
It was even more magnificent than the rich brown one of the last ball. This carriage was black, lavishly trimmed with silver.
In front of it, a team of powerful ebony horses stood, each wearing a feather atop its headdress.
wearing a feather atop its headdress. Once again, grinning as if sharing her delight, Henry stood dressed in a livery that matched the coach, waiting for his mistress to be
ready.
Bursting with happiness, Cinderella spun in a circle, knowing that the dress would be
on her in a moment. completed her revolution, its gauzy silver layers floated down gently around her, as
if enveloping her in a dream.
She put one white-gloved hand up to her neck, and felt the weight of her mother's sapphire resting there, and her fingers touched
the curls that cascaded elegantly about her head.
She was ready.
But her godmother had a warning to repeat.
Dear gal, do not forget that this magic will expire at midnight.
Do not lose your head and stay too long, or you will once again be revealed in your rags.
Your coach will be a pumpkin, fit only for the patch.
Your horses and your coachmen will be birds and a dog.
Keep your wits about you, and all will be well.
Cinderella clasped her hands and nodded firmly.
She promised her fairy godmother that she would not forget. Then she made haste, for she was thrilled with the promise of the evening to come, and
she didn't want to lose a minute.
And off the coach went, with the horses clip-cropping merrily down the road, pulling their darling Cinderella
towards the royal ball once again.
The night was overcast with the promise of snow, and the moon peeked out from the clouds only from time to time.
As the carriage sped towards the palace, white snowflakes began flying by the windows, visible
in the light of the lamps at either end. It was a gentle snow, appearing with the
lightest touch, as if to shy palace, the blazing lamps inside seemed even more festive
than they had the last time.
In contrast to the first bite of winter on the front steps, the entrance hall was a beacon of light.
The darkness instantly melted away as guests crossed the threshold and were announced. Once again, Cinderella slipped by, briefly unnoticed.
However, this was just barely for her appearance in the entryway to the ballroom, created an
immediate stab. Decorum fell by the wayside when the ripper
of excitement in the crowd reached the front of the event. Forgetting his royal position, the prince involuntarily
stood from his seat, his eyes burning a path across the crowd, to the place where Cinderella stood, a silvery vision.
For of course, she had no idea that she was the most beautiful, the most lovely girl anyone there could remember seeing.
Not only was her gown even more magnificent than the one she had worn before, but there
was something new and luminous in her. She radiated hope, self-confidence.
She was suffused with a certain something nobody could put their finger on. It could only be described as magic.
A thousand whispers could be heard as the prince walked straight towards Cinderella,
who stood fixed in place like a statue. Upon reaching her, he smiled from ear to ear, and bowed down, saying,
May I have this dance. She couldn't hide her expression of delight as she accepted his hand, and he walled her
onto the dance floor as if they were simply picking up where they had left off, resuming
their dance from the night when she vanished after the stroke of eleven.
Cinderella felt as though her feet were not even touching the ground.
In that moment, she hadn't a care in the wild,
swept away by the music and the thrill of it all. She was brought back to reality only when the prince spoke to her.
We haven't actually been introduced, he said, with a lopsided smile. It's ridiculous, but I haven't even mentioned that my name is Edward.
Cinderella had in fact known that his name was Edward.
Everybody knew. What her mind was slowly registering, however, was that he was politely attempting
to find out what her name was in exchange. Of course, she had mentally prepared for this unavoidable moment.
If the gossip was true, he'd been eager to locate her a second time.
In coming here, she'd resolved to somehow enjoy his company again, without revealing
her identity.
Because truly, beyond the wrath she would experience from Lydia, what would he think
of her, if he her humble position in a household
that was fast ascending into debt?
A fatherless girl with no fortune?
No. She had found he would not discover her identity, and she would somehow avoid lying
to him in the process.
Smiling shyly, she looked down at her shimmering skirts, which floated around the pair as they danced in perfect
time.
Then, summoning a little bit of courage, she said,
I will tell you my name, if you can guess what I call my little dog.
At this, the prince laughed aloud.
It was rare that any young lady had the courage to play such a game with him.
Stepping with renewed vigor, he started trying out names.
Spot?
Buster?
Captain?
He offered.
She shook her head with a sly smile.
Well, is it a girl or boy? he asked. You must narrow it down for me.
Cinderella cocked her head to the side as they swayed back and forth.
She felt that it wouldn't hurt her subterfuge to offer him this concession.
He is a boy, she said primly.
At this, Edward gained a comical look of concentration. Miles?
Jasper?
He continued.
Narrowing his eyes, he added,
I feel quite sure you were the type to have a dog named Jasper.
Smiling indulgently, Cinderella shook her head.
You are wrong, she counted.
I had an uncle named Jasper, and I found him quite dull.
At this, the prince grinned once again, and swung her faster in a circle.
In that moment, she felt she had never been happier in her life.
The riddle of her dog's name derailed Edward from pressing her for her identity,
him, derailed Edward from pressing her for her identity. But she had another problem. Somehow she had to create the notion that she might take a break on the veranda, and
still return to dance with him again. After she'd given him the slip at the last ball, he was anxious not
to lose track of her a second time. How could she slip out later? More than once, she begged a few moments to rest, making sure she didn't leave the room.
During those times, while she sipped some punch or rested her feet, he was obligated
to speak with other guests who clamored for his attention.
When the clock struck eleven, her heart sank.
Just one more dance.
Just two more dances, she told herself.
There will be plenty of time.
By eleven thirty, she knew she hadn't another moment to spare.
She told Edward she would be taking a breath of air in the hallway.
He regretfully turned to talk with other guests, while she made her way into the tall-ceilinged
foyer.
Then, as quietly as a mouse, she slipped out the front door, unnoticed. She made haste to her waiting carriage, where
Henry tapped his foot impatiently. On her journey homeward, She saw that the world had become frosted with white.
With snowflakes flying wildly around them, Henry urged the horses to travel faster.
As they moved quickly through the snowy countryside, he didn't need to say a word to his mistress.
Cinderella knew that she had almost made a critical error by staying so late.
She chided herself for her foolishness, and hoped they would make it back before the stroke of midnight.
The coach pulled up to a darkened house once again, and Cinderella had barely stepped to the ground when her entire carriage vanished.
Suddenly in her rags again, she turnedony horses, flew off into the night.
She stood still for a moment, catching her breath in the courtyard. It felt to her like everything was beginning to move too quickly.
What had first been a fantasy for a single evening had turned into so much more. She realized with a sinking feeling that she had given herself over to the magic too much.
She had allowed herself to hope for something better, for love, for another life. And now, she couldn't take her heart back. She had already given
it to Edward. Dragging the enormous pumpkin back to its place in the garden. She slowly made her way up to her room. Once
there, she shut herself securely inside, lighting a warm fire in the hearth to comfort her. Donning her nightdress, she slowly climbed into bed. It was too dark
to see the snow falling outside, but she fell asleep to the tip-tapping of the little ice crystals as they hit the window
in the darkness.
She slept deeply and dreamed of dancing. The morning dawned with heavy, leaden skies.
The wild outside was coated in white, but to Cinderella, the monochrome landscape felt
bleak, rather than pretty.
Her mood certainly matched the scenery. How could she face
her real life after her enchanting second night with Edward? After the first ball, the prince had been more of an idea than an actual bow.
But now, he was first and foremost a handsome suitor who had a maddeningly attractive sense of humour
as well. The thought that she would never see him again was almost more than she
could bear. Agnes and Imogen were likewise in a dark mood. Not only had the mysterious woman once again monopolized the prince all night, but they
had also failed to land any decent potential suitors.
Making matters worse, the royal family was scheduled to leave soon, making progress to another county,
where they would spend the rest of the winter.
The two pouting mrs took out their lack of sleep and their frustrations on Cinderella,
and their frustrations on Cinderella, petulantly demanding,
she complete all types of unusual tasks,
and scolding her when they were not done to their satisfaction.
Of course, satisfying them would have been impossible. They were unfailingly contrary, and nothing
would make them happy on that day.
In the afternoon, while Lydia and her stepsisters were napping, Cinderella pulled on a heavy
shawl and went outside, standing in the middle of her garden. The fountain was
silent and frozen and the branches of the hazel tree were coated in ice. Closing her eyes, she wished fervently
that her fairy godmother would appear and offer some kind of comfort to her.
But try as she might.
She was not able to conjure the kindly apparition.
For the first time in her young life,
Cinderella felt alone in the little courtyard that had once been her sanctuary.
As a gust of wind whirled up the snow from the ground, she wiped away a tear.
What good had the magic been if it had all come to nothing?
Retreating to the house, she took advantage of the peace and quiet, falling into a heavy sleep on her bed. నినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినిన� you