A very long time ago, in a faraway land, there was an honest man, who, after the tragic death of his wife, married the proudest and most arrogant woman in the world. She had two daughters from her previous marriage; they were exactly like her in every way. The honest man also had a daughter, of about the same age as the two girls, but she was of unparalleled goodness, like her own mother.

Not long after they married, the step-mother became jealous of the good qualities of her new husband’s daughter. The girl’s charm, her kindness and beauty, made the spoiled daughters seem even more ugly and unbearable. Out of spite, the stepmother gave the poor girl the hardest housecleaning duties: cleaning carpets, waxing floors, washing windows, and scrubbing the sisters’ bedrooms.

While the two sisters slept on soft beds, enjoyed the luxury of large mirrors and richly carpeted bedrooms, the poor girl was condemned to sleep in the attic, on a bed made of straw. And yet, through it all, she remained gentle and kind, and never complained, not even to her father. Although he was kind and devoted to his family, he was now completely ruled by his new wife.

When the girl’s daily work was done, she used to sit in the chimney corner to rest among the ashes and cinders. Her younger and older sisters would tease her and call her names because her clothes were dirty from the cinders. The younger sister, however, who was less rude, called her Cinderella. And that was the name that was used ever since. No matter how finely the sisters dressed, Cinderella was much more beautiful.

One day, it was announced that the king’s son was to hold a series of balls. Invitations were sent out to all the rich and noble households. The sisters were naturally invited.

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Illustrations and cover

Arthur Friday

Text by

Alex Fonteyn

English Translation and Adaptation:

Martha Strauss

Ben Torrent

Matthew Zamoyski

Typesetter

Blake Bendezar

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© Copyright by Tom eMusic

ISBN 978-1-62321-007-6

Tom eMusic

www.tomemusic.com

New York 2013