Cinderella

The young girl sat to rest a while to rest her weary feet

And tried to find some comfort in her hard and filthy seat

She closed her eyes but briefly and she dared to have a dream

That took her to a place unlike any she had seen

The land was full of beauty and elegance all round

Where children played quite happily about the merry town

Where minstrels played their music on every street and lane

What joy it was to listen to their musical refrain

The ladies in their finery were beautiful and fair

With elegance they walked around as if they were on air

The gentlemen were handsome and very smartly dressed

Chivalrous and caring and the young girl was impressed

A sudden fanfare sounded and then everything was still

As a royal proclaimation announced the Prince's will

There was to be a royal ball to which all were invited

The people cheered approvingly and the young girl was excited

The people chattered eagerly of the Prince's kind request

Discussing things that they would do so that they'd look their best

The young girl then remembered that no fine clothes did she own

And with a heavy heart she knew that she would have to stay at home

Then in a puff of golden smoke a fairy did appear

And told the broken hearted girl to wipe away her tears

"Fear not dear child" she told the girl "for I am here to say"

"That I'm your fairy godmother and have come to save the day"

With that she waved her wand about and cast a little spell

Though what she said exactly now the young girl couldn't tell

Then with another puff of smoke two ponies did appear

Followed by a golden coach to settle at the rear

There followed that a footman his wig and tails pristine

The site before the young girl was the best she'd ever seen

"And there you are my lovely", the fairy proudly smiled

And then she spied the ragged way in which the girl was styled

"Oh goodness gracious me my dear your clothes are such a mess"

so with her wand she conjured up a gold and diamond dress

A few more things were needed like makeup nails and hair

Until she stood before the fairy beautiful and fair

The young girl was in awe of her amazing transformation

And the fairy was well pleased with her work in this creation

"There's just one thing," the fairy said, "now listen to me well

For you must take care to listen out for midnight's solemn bell

On hearing this you must away and leave the castle lawn

For the gown that you are wearing will suddenly be gone

Now off you go enjoy yourself have fun be on your way"

And the young girl thanked the fairy for all she'd done today

Into the golden coach she went and off it went at speed

As she recalled the chat they'd had and which she had agreed

Then once inside the palace the guests all stopped to stare

At the very stunning beauty who was now standing there

The minstrels played a light gavotte and all took to the floor

It was a tune that she recalled and one that she adored

A young man asked her for her hand so that they both might dance

And as they joined in merrily she caught the Prince's glance

Who was this maiden pure and fair he asked his dear valet

But he'd never seen the girl before and couldn't rightly say

Smitten by her beauty and her gentle air and grace

His eyes refused to leave her perfect fair skinned face

And then a change of tempo served to end the pairs routine

And gave the opportunity for the Prince to intervene

He took her hand and danced with her so late into the night

Until the bell struck midnight and the poor girl had a fright

She ran out of the castle with the Prince not far behind

She had to get away from him for there wasn't any time

And in her rush to get away she lost one dainty shoe

She had to get away so there was nothing she could do

She ran as fast as she could go into the unlit lane

And very soon she found that she was dressed in rags again

So weary now she sat herself under an old oak tree

Where she closed her saddened eyes and soon fell fast asleep

A poke from her step mother caused the girl to come awake

And take in her surroundings where she lay there in the grate

"You're meant to get this place clean", the wicked mother said

"Now get to work young lady this isn't time for bed"

How could such a sweet dream seem so vivid and so real

Then take away her reverie with no chance of an appeal

And so the girl got on her feet and took her battered broom

And reminiscing everything began to sweep the room

A little later on that day a Valet came to call

To tell the household all about the recent Royal ball

And how a young girl met the Prince and took his heart away

And which was now the reason for him being here today

For the girl had lost a slipper as she'd fled the castle grounds

And the Prince was on a search for her throughout the little town

So if the ladies would be so kind in order to permit

Trying on the slipper to see if it would fit

When the young girl tried the slipper on it fitted like a glove

The Prince had found the lady whom he'd fallen so in love

In the end the young girls dream did in fact prevail

And so endeth happily this wondrous fairytale.

© Catherine Turner-Joll

Background Music ~ "The Town of Witchwoode" ~

Composed by Bjorn Lynne

Click on the link below to visit Bjorn's site