Fairy-The Godmother
Grieved by her helplessness, Cinderella quickly ran to her mother’s grave and sat beneath the hazel tree crying aloud. A fairy that knew Cinderella’s sad story watched her daily from the hazel tree. “I would be her Godmother,” she often thought out of pity, deciding to help her whenever she was in need.
That day, seeing Cinderella weep un-controllably, the fairy appeared before her and asked, “Dear Child! What is the matter that is troubling you so much? Why are you in tears?” Astonished to find a fairy in front of her, Cinderella controlled her sobs and replied; “I wish I could go to the ball.”
“You wish to go to the ball. Is that all?” asked the fairy, to which Cinderella nodded her head still sobbing and sighing. Introducing herself to Cinderella, the fairy told who she was and told her that she would be her Godmother, who would take good care of her.
Smiling at her, the fairy said, “Child! Being your Godmother, I shall take care of all your needs. Slop crying at once, for you shall definitely go to the ball.” Taking Cinderella’s hand into her hand, the fairy walked into her house and seated her on a comfortable chair.
After Cinderella settled down, the fairy said, “Now if you carefully follow my words, I promise to take you to the royal ball,, where you can have a good time.”
Regaining her spirits by the comforting words of her godmother, Cinderella agreed to do whatever was said to her.
“Well! Our task begins now. Just 1 ol- low whatever I say without asking me any questions. We do not have more time left for the ball,” said the fairy as she winked at innocent and confused Cinderella. Proceeding with her work, the fairy again said, “ Child! Quickly run in to the garden and get the best pumpkin available there.”
Cinderella ran out of the house, picked the finest pumpkin from the garden and handed it over to the fairy, though she was confused how a pumpkin was going to help her to go to the ball. She looked curiously at the fairy, busy scooping the pulp from the pumpkin. Soon, there was nothing left inside except the empty shell.
Smiling at Cinderella, the fairy took out her wand and waved it over the pumpkin. Lo! Gone was the pumpkin and in its place stood a magnificent carriage made of gold.
So awestruck was Cinderella that she could hardly breathe, out of excitement. She laid her hand on the carriage to check il what she saw was really true.
Moving towards the mousetrap, the fairy said, “My dear child! Please lift the door of the mousetrap for me. I need to take out the mice.” Still wondering, Cinderella quietly followed the fairy’s instructions.
The fairy picked up six live mice, one after the other and patted them with her wand slowly. To Cinderella’s astonishment, as soon as the wand touched them, in the place of the mice, appeared six strong horses, in a flash.
It was then that Cinderella realized what she saw till then was indeed true. Looking at the fairy gratefully, Cinderella decided to extend as much help as she could. Turning to her Godmother she sa “We need to have a coachman now. Shall I look in the rat trap for rats, so that we could make one into a coach man?” “That really is a great idea! Go and fetch the trap,” said the fairy appreciating Cinderella’s quick thinking.
Cinderella ran to the trap, praying that there should be a rat in it. She desperately wanted a coachman for her carriage that was ready with six fine horses. To her delight, she found not just one but three huge rats in the trap.
The fairy picked up the fattest among the rats and touched it with her wand, which at once turned into a plump coachman with a handsome moustache.
The fairy then turned to Cinderella and said, “Run as fast as you can to the garden and bring the six lizards that are behind the watering pot.” Cinderella obeyed those instructions too, though she had no clue why the fairy asked for the lizards. As soon as she handed them over to the fairy, with one magical touch of her wand, she turned them all in to footmen who quickly went and took their places at the foot of the golden carriage.
Turning to awestruck Cinderella, the fairy said, “Now my child! How do you like your carriage and the arrangements 1 made for the ball?” Already in a jolly mood, Cinderella thanked her a thousand times, praising her good work. As she babbled out of joy, her Godmother looked at her innocent face affectionately and kissed her forehead.
Suddenly, Cinderella fell silent for a while and then said, “Oh fairy mother! The carriage is magnificent and so are the horses, the coachman and the footmen. But how do I go to the ball in these old rags? Am 1 not going to look dirty and weird?”
With the same sweet smile, the fairy then produced her wand and tapped Cinderella affectionately with it.
Before she could even know what was happening, Cinderella was dressed in a beautiful dress, made of silk that was as blue as the sky, embroidered with silver stars and flowers.
In an instant, she transformed from a dirty Cinder maid to a beautiful young woman with an enchanting face. Adorned in her new silk dress and glittering copper shoes, Cinderella’s natural beauty was enhanced a thousand times that made her look like a divine being. After thoroughly checking if she lacked anything else, the fairy gave Cinderella a go-ahead to proceed to the ball in the carriage.
When she ascended the magnificent carriage, her Godmother said, “Cinderella! Have a great time at the ball. But the spell I have cast would remain only till midnight.
So, remember to come back home before the clock strikes twelve. Or else, the carriage alone with the horses and men would vanish in to thin air and you would be dressed hack in your rags.”
Thus, cautioning her, the fairy kissed her goodbye and remained there looking at the delighted face of Cinderella till she lost sight of it.