The Real Cinderella

Told through the eyes of her stepmother

By Samantha, Alexis, Clayton, and Conner

Once upon a time, there lived an ungrateful young girl, named Cinderella. She lived with me, her kind and loving stepmother, and her two beautiful stepsisters, my daughters, at the edge of town.

Cinderella did not appreciate the fact that I had taken her in as my own when her father died. She just whined and complained and ignored all the love and kindness I tried to give her. Cinderella preferred to cook and clean rather than participate in anything our family was doing. Finally, I just gave up, and let her do as she pleased.

When it came time for the grand ball, hosted by the prince of the land, I begged her to come along with us. I even bought her the most beautiful gown and glass slippers to wear, hoping that would tempt her to go. But as usual, she refused and even tore the dress. Unable to convince her to go to the ball with us, my daughters and I went alone.

Sometime later, Cinderella decided she would go after all, in the hopes that she could capture the prince’s heart and get as far away from us as possible. So, she mended the torn dress I bought for her, put on the glass slippers, and hitched a ride to the ball. To my surprise, the prince fell in love with her instantly. Being young and naïve, he could not see past her looks to realize how bitter, sad, and ungrateful she really was. But that is not my problem!

Anyway, at the stroke of midnight, Cinderella freaked out and ran out of the palace. No one, including me, could figure out why. On the way down the stairs, Cinderella lost one of her shoes. The prince found it and vowed to find and marry the girl whose foot fit the shoe. I told the prince he didn’t have to look very hard, for she was my stepdaughter, and lived at home with me. I showed him the way to our home and led him straight into the arms of his new love.

They were married almost immediately. A grand wedding took place and I did not even get an invitation, nor did my daughters. Can you believe it? Like I said, Cinderella was an ungrateful girl—even after she got her happily ever after. The world simply isn’t fair—it always seems like those that deserve it least, always get what they want! When is it my turn?