B1. Cinderella

Cinderella

There was once a girl called Cinderella. She had a kind heart but a hard life, serving her mean stepmother and two stepsisters.

Every day they said, "Cinderella, clean the house!" and "Cinderella, make us dinner!" Yet, she never lost hope.

Her stepfamily had warm beds, while Cinderella slept in the cold attic.

One day, the king invited everyone to a ball at the palace.

Cinderella made a dress, but her stepfamily tore it up. They laughed at her, and went to the ball without her.

Left at home, she cried.

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Suddenly, there was a bright light! A magic spirit appeared. The spirit said, "Dry your tears, dear. You will go to the ball!"

The spirit turned Cinderella's rags into a beautiful gown and gave her glass shoes. It said, "The magic ends at midnight, and your gown will return to rags. Be home before then."

At the ball, Cinderella danced and laughed with the prince all night. He was captivated by her beauty and kindness.

Suddenly, the clock struck! "Oh no, midnight!" said Cinderella. Her gown started turning into rags. She ran away as quickly as possible, leaving the prince alone.

The prince was heartbroken. He didn't even know her name. But, she had left a glass shoe!

He thought, I must try this shoe on every girl in the kingdom, until I find her.

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He went to every house. Hundreds of girls desperately tried the shoe, but it fit no one.

The prince finally arrived at Cinderella's house. The stepsisters tried the shoe.

The ugliest one pushed her foot into it so hard, it nearly broke. Then, the more desperate one started cutting off her own toe to fit into the shoe.

"Stop!" shouted the Prince, disgusted. "Is there anyone else here?"

"No." said the stepmother.

Suddenly, they heard singing coming from the kitchen.

The glass shoe glowed.

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"Where is she?" The prince went to the kitchen and his eyes met Cinderella's. He recognized her charming smile.

Cinderella sat down and the prince fit the shoe onto her foot perfectly. "It is you!" he said.

"It is not!" said the stepmother angrily. "She didn't go to the ball."

Then, Cinderella took out the matching shoe from her pocket. Her stepfamily could not believe it!

Wearing her two glass shoes, she hugged the prince and they left. They married, and lived happily ever after.

The story teaches that with kindness, resilience, hope, and a touch of magic, even the most impossible dreams can come true.