Once there was a gentleman who married, for his second wife, the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. She had, by a former husband, two daughters who were exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper.
No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the stepmother began to show herself in her true colors. She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl. She employed her in the meanest work of the house: she scoured the dishes and tables, and scrubbed the chambers. She lay up in a sorry garret, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms.
The poor girl bore all patiently. When she had done her work, she used to go into the chimney-corner, and sit down among cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called Cinderwench; but the youngest sister called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, notwithstanding her mean apparel, was a hundred times handsomer than her sisters.
It happened that the King's son gave a ball, and invited all persons of fashion to it. The sisters were mightily delighted and busy in choosing gowns and head-clothes. This was a new trouble to Cinderella; for it was she who ironed her sisters' linen and plaited their ruffles.
Cinderella was called up to be consulted, for she had excellent notions. As she was dressing their heads, they said to her: "Cinderella, would you not be glad to go to the ball?"
"Alas!" said she, "you only jeer me; it is not for such as I am to go thither."
At last the happy day came; they went to Court, and Cinderella followed them with her eyes as long as she could, and when she had lost sight of them, she fell a-crying.
Her godmother, who was a fairy, asked her what was the matter. "Thou wishest thou couldst go to the ball; is it not so?"
"Yes," cried Cinderella.
"Well," said her godmother, "be but a good girl, and I will contrive that thou shalt go." She took a pumpkin, scooped it out, struck it with her wand, and it turned into a fine coach, gilded all over with gold. She then turned six mice into fine horses, a rat into a coachman, and six lizards into footmen.
Her godmother then touched Cinderella with her wand, and her clothes turned into cloth of gold and silver, all beset with jewels. She gave her a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the whole world. But she commanded her not to stay till after midnight, or everything would turn back.
Cinderella promised and drove away, scarce able to contain herself for joy. The King's son ran out to receive her. There was immediately a profound silence as everyone admired the unknown newcomer.
The King's son conducted her to the most honorable seat, and took her out to dance with him; she danced so very gracefully that they all more and more admired her.
She went and sat down by her sisters, showing them civilities. While thus amusing them, she heard the clock strike eleven and three-quarters, whereupon she immediately made a courtesy and hasted away.
The next day she went to the ball again, dressed more magnificently. The King's son was always by her, and she quite forgot her godmother's warning. She counted the clock striking twelve when she took it to be no more than eleven; she then rose up and fled, as nimble as a deer, leaving behind one of her glass slippers.
A few days after, the King's son proclaimed that he would marry her whose foot the slipper would just fit. It was brought to the two sisters, who tried in vain to thrust their foot into it.
Cinderella, who saw all this, said to them, laughing: "Let me see if it will not fit me."
Her sisters burst out a-laughing. But the gentleman sent to try the slipper obliged Cinderella to sit down, and found it went on very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. Then Cinderella pulled out of her pocket the other slipper.
Thereupon, in came her godmother, who touched Cinderella's clothes, making them richer than before. Her sisters threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon. Cinderella forgave them with all her heart.
She was conducted to the young prince, dressed as she was; he thought her more charming than ever, and, a few days after, married her. Cinderella gave her two sisters lodgings in the palace, and matched them with two great lords of the Court.