“Do close your mouth dear, it’s not very attractive,â€? she instructed. “Ah, but this will be.â€? She waved the wand toward Cinderella and her pitiful rags melted into rich, vivid colors. A gown of green and gold clung to her skin where just a moment ago had been the soot-covered clothes of a maid; it was like nothing she had ever seen.

“How . . .?â€? she began to ask.

“It’s only magic dear. Now you must be off to the ball. You’ll have to leave at midnight before the spell wears off… now where did I put that box?â€? Fairy Godmother pondered aloud. She fished in her pockets and pulled out a small white box, tied with a ribbon which she quickly untied. Inside it was a magnificent carriage no bigger than a robin’s egg pulled by tiny white horses the size of crickets.

Cinderella peered in wonder as Fairy Godmother walked outside and placing it on the ground, waved her wand around in circles. As she mumbled an incantaion, the carriage and steeds gradually grew life-sized.

Cinderella almost forgot to breathe.