Cinderello; or, The Little Glass Slipper

Once there was a gentlewoman who married, for her second husband, the proudest and most haughty man that was ever seen. He had, by a former wife, two sons of his own, who were, indeed, exactly like him in all things. She had likewise, by another husband, a young son, but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which he took from his father, who was the best creature in the world.

No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the stepfather began to show himself in his true colors. He could not bear the good qualities of this pretty boy, and the less because they made his own sons appear the more odious. He employed him in the meanest work of the house. He scoured the dishes, tables, etc., and cleaned maestro's chamber, and those of señors, his sons. He slept in a sorry garret, on a wretched straw bed, while his brothers slept in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid, on beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking glasses so large that they could see themselves at their full length from head to foot.

The poor boy bore it all patiently, and dared not tell his mother, who would have scolded him; for her husband governed him entirely. When he had done his work, he used to go to the chimney corner, and sit down there in the cinders and ashes, which caused him to be called Cinderknave. Only the younger brother, who was not so rude and uncivil as the older one, called him Cinderello. However, Cinderello, notwithstanding his coarse apparel, was a hundred times more handsome than his brothers, although they were always dressed very richly.

It happened that the queen's daughter gave a ball, and invited all persons of fashion to it. Our young señors were also invited, for they cut a very grand figure among those of quality. They were mightily delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in selecting the trajes de cortos, cordobes hats, and hair dressing that would best become them. This was a new difficulty for Cinderello; for it was he who ironed his brother's blouse and pleated their flamenco trousers. They talked all day long of nothing but how they should be dressed.

"For my part," said the eldest, "I will wear my burgundy velvet goyesco paseo jacket with Spanish black trimming."

"And I," said the youngest, "shall have my usual trajes de corto; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered cloak, and my diamond belt, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world."

They sent for the best hairdresser they could get to make up their headpieces and adjust their hairdos, and they had their black mustaches and goatees from Señor de Bolsillo.

They also consulted Cinderello in all these matters, for he had excellent ideas, and his advice was always good. Indeed, he even offered his services to fix their hair, which they very willingly accepted. As he was doing this, they said to him, "Cinderello, would you not like to go to the ball?"

"Alas!" said he, "you only jeer me; it is not for such as I am to go to such a place."

"You are quite right," they replied. "It would make the people laugh to see a Cinderknave at a ball."

Anyone but Cinderello would have fixed their hair and put the cordobes hats onto their heads awry, but he was very good, and dressed them perfectly well. They were so excited that they hadn't eaten a thing for almost two days. Then they broke more than a dozen laces trying to have themselves laced up tightly enough to give them a fine slender shape. They were continually in front of their looking glass. At last the happy day came. They went to court, and Cinderello followed them with his eyes as long as he could. When he lost sight of them, he started to cry.

His godfather, who saw him all in tears, asked him what was the matter.

"I wish I could. I wish I could." He was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by his tears and sobbing.