Wishes

Ella

A young maiden tiptoed through the woods. Her name was Ella. She used to live quite a wealthy life with her beloved parents. And yet, she was always humble about it, just like her mother. But, soon her mother grew very ill, and died at Ella's side.

Just before the crisis, the mother asked Ella for one promise.

"Please, make sure," she whispered in thin breaths, "that whatever happens to you, you will always be kind and generous to everyone."

Ella was silent, but then responded,

"I will try."

Such a sad day for Ella. Unfortunately, both knew what was to happen next. What they didn't know was what would become of Ella later. Despite this, not one single tear rolled down her cheek. In fact, Ella had never cried in her whole life. Though Ella could contain herself, her father mourned practically every day.

He became so lost in life that he married a new wife just for money, and to be content once again. But of course, you can never truly mend a torn hole in your heart. So like a tin man, the father became heartless, and died in agonizing grief.

When his new wife realized that the marriage was only for her money, she was angered. Greatly. But, instead of blaming her husband (well, technically she couldn't blame someone who was already dead), she hurled all her hatred towards his daughter, Ella.

Ella was not your typical girl. In fact, she was quite clumsy, and she would catch herself gaping often. But, she showed kindness and innocence whenever, wherever. She was not even as beautiful as maidens like Aurora (yes, Sleeping Beauty). Because her new stepmother and stepsisters abused her day and night, Ella was a nineteen year old wisp of a girl.

Her arms and legs were filthy, and her hands were as rough as leather from overworking. She donned a dress made out of tattered rags she was forced to wear by her stepfamily. Holes grew bigger over time at the toes of both her shabby shoes. Despite the awful state she was in, all she knew was, "If this is what pleases Madame (her stepmother), then this is what I'll do."

Believe it or not, Ella was not completely a doormat. But, we'll get back to that later.

It was the beginning of winter, which meant there would be dramatic changes in the weather. A huge gust of wind almost knocked Ella off her feet. She shivered under her rags. Her dress was not the best insulator. Something grabbed her attention in the distance. A well! She scrambled towards it, her pail bouncing against her knee.

Unfortunately, the water was frozen. Ella was about to turn back, but then imagined the consequences. With her small fists, she punched the block of ice, throwing the watery chips into her bucket. By the time she had finished her task, most of the ice in the pail had melted. Ella stood silent for a beat, proud of her accomplishment, until she remembered reality, and scurried home.

Her stepmother (or so-called Madame) was in a cranky mood that day. She seemed to be like every other woman in the village (except slightly taller). But behind everyone's backs, her attitude to Ella was dreadful.

She had two daughters, who were quite contrasting. One was cute, yet annoying, and the other was actually rather pretty, yet she never said a word. When Ella returned after quite awhile, the stepfamily was onto her.

It had begun to snow when she reached home. No one would have ever guessed she lived there. Her house was a very upscale building. Each family member in the house had their own wonderful room, except for Ella. She slept in the kitchen. The kitchen was the worst area in the house, partly because of the coldness and that sooty fireplace. But, other than that, it was a very lovely home. If only Ella could have enjoyed her surroundings for at least a minute, without any orders or tasks to do.

Madame had just finished her gorgeous hair, when Ella entered the house. A flurry of snow encircled Ella as she burst through the door. The wind was so strong, it ruined Madame's new hairdo.

"Ella!" she shrieked, "What have you done?! There will be no dinner for you tonight. Am I clear?! Go scrub the kitchen floor."

Her younger daughter, Lucinda, heard this, and added, snickering, "Use lye. It scours best."

Ella was now not only cold and wet, but hungry too. She gave a miserable grimace as she poured lye into her bucket, and plunged her hands into the lye water. Almost immediately they smarted and burned. She jerked them out of the pail. Madame threw something to Ella.

"Here," Madame muttered. "It makes the cleaning a lot quicker."

Ella gasped in disbelief. Torn pieces of her own mother's nightgown laid in front of her very eyes.

"Mother," she murmured. This was the very cloth her mother wore when she died.

A flashback ran through her mind.

"Please," her mother had asked.

"I will try," Ella had responded back.

Wait!

She realized something. She only told her mother she would try.

Her mother never asked for a true promise.

Ella turned towards a nearby window, and saw her reflection. A tiny droplet trickled down her cheek from the corner of her eye. It was soft and warm, a feeling she had never felt before. Soon she'd start a brand new life. Soon she would be free. She spoke ever so softly two words:

"I wish..."