Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time

there was a little girl.

She had a cruel stepmother

and two selfish stepsisters.

Her father was to busy

to see what they did.

They clothed her in rags

and gave her hard labor.

They forced her to sleep

in the little stone kitchen.

She slept by the fire

to keep warm through the night

and when she awoke she was covered in ash.

And this spurred a nickname

that lasted for a while:

Child of Cinders, sad Cinderella.

But not all was bad, for she had a little friend,

a small fire fairy who lived in the hearth.

Then one day there came a knock at the door.

It was a royal inviation

for the prince's royal ball.

It proclaimed: "Come all ladies, fair and noble.

His Royal Highness is throwing a ball.

He seeks to find his one true love.

All are invited. One shall be chosen"

Cinderella wanted so desperately to atttend.

Maybe she'd find her true love that night!

But her stepmother was adament.

"You may not attend the ball."

So the day of the ball came.

And Cinderella could not go.

The stepmother and daughters about to leave for the ball,

and poor Cinderella lay next to the fire.

But do not worry, there was hope yet,

as the little fire fairy called all her friends.

Together in secret they got all they needed.

They worked and they worked, rushing to finish.

And finally they did.

Pleases with their handiwork, they approached Cinderella.

They urged her outside and she complied.

She stood shocked at the sight before her

for standing outside was a most beautiful sight.

A carriage so white it glowed in the night,

and two ivory stallions ready to ride.

A young handsome man sat in the seat

ready to take young Cinderella to the ball.

But the jewel of it all was not the horses or the ride.

It was a dress so magnificent it took her breath away.

A long golden dress with a shawl to match

covered in diamonds and long satin sashes

and two golden slippers so dainty.

The faries, they urged to put on the dress

to get to the ball and find her true love.

As fast as she could, she pulled on the dress

and the faries, using magic,

did her hair and makeup

The young man leapt down

and opened the door.

As she sat herself down, she thanked her friends.

And finally, Cinderella was headed to the ball.

She arrived at the ball just in time

and as she walked, all the people stared.

She walked into the ballroom

and everyone stopped.

With everyone staring, she started to blush.

Turning around, ready to leave

she was stopped by a man no older than she.

"May I have this dance?" he inquired.

She accepted his hand

and danced through the night.

Slowly but surely, they fell in love.

As the ball came to a close

the prince knelt before her.

He held out his hand

and asked for her to marry him.

"I have fallen for you, head over heels."

Surprised, but overjoyed,

she accepted with glee.

And together they lived

as happy as could be, ruling side by side.

And what happened to the stepmonsters, you may ask.

The father divorced the stepmother

and they left for who knows where.

But Cinderella was truly happy.

And that's all there is too it.