“An invitation from the king,” the messenger handed a golden envelope to Cinderella before taking off in a hurry.

Cinderella squinted to read what the invitation said, but she couldn’t make out any of the letters.

“Give me that!” The stepmother snatched the invitation from Cinderella’s hands. “Did you read it?”

Cinderella shook her head. “What does it say, mother?”

The stepmother scanned through the letter and smiled. “Well, well, the king is inviting me, Elvira and Charlotte to a grand ball tonight!”

“Am I included as well?” Cinderella clasped her hands together, trying to hold down her excitement.

“Nope.” The stepmother and the girls broke into sinister laughter. “Girls, get ready!” She ushered the girls back to the room.

Cinderella ran to the farm at the back of their house. She couldn’t argue with her stepmom because she couldn’t see what was on the invitation.

The farm animals gathered around her. The mouse ran up to her cheek to wipe her tears away.

“It’s my fault,” Cinderella said, talking to no one in particular. “I really do mess things up.”

Just then, a bright light filled the room. “It’s not your fault, child.”

Cinderella squinted her eyes and saw a bubble of light floating about. “Who are you?”

“I’m your fairy godmother, and I’m here to help you make it to the ball!”

“But I wasn’t even invited,” Cinderella argued. “I would never be let in the castle if my name wasn’t on the guest list.”

“Little mouse, please fetch me that letter,” the fairy godmother said. A few minutes later, the mouse was back with a golden envelope between its teeth.

The godmother opened the letter and grinned.

“Your name is clearly included here,” Cinderella’s godmother said.

“But it’s too late! My family has left, and I have nothing to wear,” Cinderella sobbed.

to be continued…