Once upon a time, there was a beautiful girl. Her father was rich and handsome. They were both very grieved when the child’s mother grew ill and died. After a few years, though, the father remarried. His new wife was very kind and pretty, and brought two little girls into the man’s life along with her. As time went on, the father had to go out on a journey. He left his precious, beautiful little girl with the woman and her two daughters, trusting that they would take care of her.
However, fate was not that kind. That’s where I come into the story, you see? As the story is retold, time and time again, I became one of the two ugly stepsisters. Well, it is true. I’m ugly, and I was the girl’s stepsister. However, it wasn’t I who started the tale of Cinderella, although I may have helped her story to be a happily ever after.
When our new father was declared missing , Mother was devastated. She also grew very jealous, knowing that the man had held Ella, our stepsister, over even her. This anger led her to abuse Ella, and to teach both of us to do the same. Annie, my sister, copied my mother and let her anger out on Ella. After that point, seeing as she always cleaned the fireplace of the ashes and got them all over her, we had started calling her Cinderella.
However, I felt sorry for the younger Cinderella. See, I was the middle child. Jeanette was my name, back then when I had one. When I had once defended Cinderella in an argument with my mother, she had slapped me across the face and threatened me. “Don’t treat that child as anything more than dirt! She deserves nothing in this world, nothing! If you wish to be affiliated with her, you’ll be out on the streets!” After that point, I treated my mother with more and more caution. It was easy to see that she had gone over the edge, and for some reason my older sister had decided that she should support her.
At that point, I started treating Cinderella as my mother and sister did. However, in the back of my heart and mind, I always knew what we were doing was wrong.I always wondered what I could do to help Cinderella. Sometimes, I would distract mother as Cinderella got some of the good food. She never knew what I did to help her, but it was better that way. It would rouse less suspicion. There was even a circumstance when Mother locked Cinderella away in the cellar for a week.
During that week, I would always go down and stand outside the door with my older sister, watching her jeer at Cinderella and trying to do the same. However, my heart broke for the girl. That week, when my sister and mother were fast asleep, I would slip on my robe and go into the kitchen. There I would collect as much food as I could fit on a plate and walked down to the cellar. I knew that Cinderella had many little animal friends, such as mice. Even the dog loved her. So every time I opened the door, I would make a sound imitating one of her animal friends. This led her to believe that her animals were helping her.
Maybe it was mean to trick her, but wasn’t it better that she not know it was me? Of course, the risk of her knowing could lead to Mother knowing. Day after day, I watched out for Cinderella. I watched mother beat her, call her names, and my sister treat her in the same fashion. It hurt me more and more each day, until finally I broke down. After I wept for a while, I decided that I knew what I could do. One day, I went out to the garden and discussed my situation with my fairy godmother.
Are you surprised? I was the child always forgotten, with the ugliest mug in the town. I had been with my Fairy Godmother twice before, and that was before my mother remarried. I was surprised to see her that day, too. I told her of how I wanted to help Cinderella, how my mother was so cruel after my new father’s disappearance. “I can grant you another wish, little Jeanette.” My godmother murmured, patting my hair.
I thought about it for a long time. The last two wishes had not gone as well as I liked. Those are other stories, for other times. Finally, I came to the conclusion that I could not find a wish that had no choice of being wrong. “Godmother, I really don’t know what I wish. Nothing seems to go right with me….” I sighed, a tear running down my cheek. I felt so bad for Cinderella! Finally, a choice came to mind. This could not go wrong!
“I wish that you were Cinderella’s fairy godmother.” I murmured, quickly, before I could think about it.
“Jeanette!” my fairy godmother gasped, then ran a hand through my hair. “Very well. I love you, you little fool.” She smiled with a loving tone, than just vanished.
That was the night I learned about the ball. “Get dressed, quickly.” My mother called, throwing a dress at me. “The prince is having a ball, where he is supposed to find his new wife! You are both attractive, young women! Each of you has a chance!” I watched her try to fool herself. Who would love me? My hair was as dark as coal, my eyes brown and dull. Maybe my older sister, Annie, could possibly get a dance, but not with the famous Prince Jared!
“What about me? Can I come to the ball?” I heard the quiet, gentle voice of Cinderella. My mother gave her a most evil look.
“Of course not! You’re all covered in ashes, you have nothing to wear!” She exclaimed. “Besides, you have to help Annie and Jeanette get ready.”
“I can handle myself.” I murmured, heart aching for poor Cinderella. If she was clean and dressed well, she would have the best bet at capturing Prince Jared’s heart. Mother knew this was true, so of course she wouldn’t let her come. At least with my fairy godmother, she’d have a chance.
Later at the ball, I sat in my blue velvet dress. Waiting. If my fairy godmother had appeared to Cinderella, then she would be here soon… and that’s when it happened. The most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen walked into the room. Prince Jared stopped in the middle of his dance with Annie, eyes catching Cinderella’s. It was most definitely Cinderella, could only know by the magical feeling around her. She was going to have the most fun in her life.
I lost memory of the rest of the night, after taking a few sips of the alcoholic beverages. All I knew is that, the next morning, my mother woke me early from my bed. “Get up! Hurry! You have an appointment at the doctor’s. Prince Jared lost the woman he was dancing with and is looking for her with a glass slipper.” I paled at what my mother must have been suggesting. Cinderella’s feet were tiny. Was she going to have our feet cut up?
An hour later and a few less bones, Annie and I were hobbling in the door of our home. “Can you imagine? One of us marrying the prince? Aren’t we so lucky that Mother knows one of the inside guards?” Annie gushed. I just grunted, sitting down. Soon the prince would be here with his royal accompaniment.
As he entered, I gave a little sigh. He was so handsome; every maiden across the land wanted the prince as their husband. First they tried Annie, then me. This was awful. My feet hurt, this man, as handsome as could be, was sitting across from me… but I knew it wasn’t my prince looking at me. No, even though my foot fit in the slipper, I knew it. If he wasn’t an idiot, he knew it, too. I mean, if you take one look at my face, even the proportions… I would never be as pretty as my stepsister. She was just too much daintier then I.
However, the search was now over. I looked at my sister, whose feet were still swollen from the operation mother had paid for. Well, when would my fairy godmother help Cinderella? My sister was staring in disbelief at the glass slipper on my foot. “Jeanette? Is it true? “Are you my-“ handsome Jared was interrupted by the sound of feet on the floor above us. I sighed with both relief and disappointment, as Cinderella emerged.
“May I try on the slipper?” She asked her voice quiet and sweet.
“Oh please, she’s just a maid. She’s not your princess.” The evil witch of a mother of mine stated. However, it seemed Jared could see past the ashes on her face. He removed the slipper from my foot and saw the little streak of blood left in the glass. “What’s this?” He demanded, angrily, lifting my foot so he could see the bottom. Unfortunately, the scars from the surgery were still fresh. “You tried to fool me.” He accused, looking at me with angry and hurt eyes. I looked away, disappointed. “There’s your princess.” I whispered, and stepped out of the chair so Cinderella could sit down.
And so, they lived happily ever after. What did I get? When I came to her wedding, truthfully happy for my stepsister, I was punished. A bird flew by both my sister and I. What was the outcome? I have no eyes and live the streets alone, being called the ‘hollow one’. Wishes never ended up going well for me, even if they were for someone else. Still, though I now cannot see, I suppose I do feel slightly happy, for the right was wronged and now Cinderella is Queen Ella.
---------- The Shady Side of the Mile ---------- 