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The next day the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, but dressed more magnificently than before. The King’s son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her; to whom all this was so far from being tiresome  that she quite forgot what her godmother had recommended to her; so that she, at last, 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. The Prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which the Prince took up most carefully.

About the Story

Fun Facts: In some versions of the story (specifically Cinderella or the Cinder-Maid), she wears gold slippers instead of glass. What we think of as “the Cinderella story,” i.e. a girl in reduced circumstances wearing a beautiful gown to a ball, falling in love and having the prince search for her, is found in many different stories. Also in some, the step-sisters will do anything to fit the little shoe—even cut off their own toes! Cray-cray.

About the Photo

Ashley was very gracious and let me steal an afternoon for a drive and some shots at the Chrysler Museum. She got ready in the car and we wandered around (to many strange looks). My favorite part of the shoot was Ashley getting into character. She would run, run, run in place then freeze for some shots. She’s so much fun.

Further Reading

Click here for Charles Perrault’s Cinderella.

Click here for “The Cinder-Maid.”

Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite retellings.  It’s the 3rd in a series of stories that are all versions of your favorite fairy tales. This one takes place during WWI, I believe. I highly recommend all of them. This one and The Fire Rose are my favorites.