Her Godmother, who saw her in tears, asked what was the matter.
“I wish--I wish--” and Cinderella sobbed so that she could not finish.
Her Godmother, who was a Fairy, said: “You wish to go to the ball, don’t you?”
“Then be a good girl,” said her Godmother, “and you shall go. Now, run into the garden and bring me a pumpkin.”
Cinderella went, and picked the biggest she could find; and as she carried it to her Godmother, she wondered how that pumpkin could help her go to the ball.
Her Godmother scooped out all the inside, leaving only the rind which she struck with her wand. Instantly it became a golden coach. Then she went to look at the mousetrap in which she found six mice. She bade Cinderella open the trap, and, as each mouse sprang out, she touched it with her wand. And instantly it was changed into a handsome horse.
As the Godmother was wondering out of what to make a coachman, Cinderella said: “I will go and see if there is a rat in the trap--then we can make a coachman.”
“That is a good thought,” said her Godmother, “go and see.”
Cinderella brought the trap in which were three large rats. Her Godmother chose one of the three because of his long whiskers; and when she touched him, he was instantly changed into a big coachman who had the handsomest moustaches ever seen.
Then she said to Cinderella: “Go into the garden. You will find there six lizards behind the watering-pot. Bring them to me.”
Cinderella had no sooner brought them than they were changed into six footmen in gold-laced coats, who sprang up behind the coach with the air of never having done anything else in their lives.
Then the Fairy said to Cinderella: “Here is a fine coach in which to go to the ball! Are you not glad?”
“Yes,” replied she, “but must I go in these ugly clothes?”
Her Godmother, in answer, touched her with her wand, and instantly her old clothes were changed into robes of gold and silver embroidered with gems. Then her Godmother presented her with a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the world.
Now that Cinderella was all dressed, she got into the coach; but her Godmother told her above all things not to remain a minute later than midnight. For if she remained a single minute longer, her coach would become a pumpkin; her horses, mice; her coachman, a rat; and her footmen, lizards; while all her fine clothes would change to rags.