Part 5: The Search

From village to village, and from cottage to cottage went the Prince.  One young woman after another tried to fit her foot inside the glass slipper.  But none could fit. He asked if they had the other glass slipper.  None did. And the Prince moved on.

At last the Prince came to Cinderella’s cottage.

“He is coming!” shrieked one stepsister as she looked out the window.

“He is here, at the door right now!” screamed the other stepsister.

At last the Prince came to Cinderella’s cottage.

“Hush!” hissed the stepmother.  “He’ll hear you!  Now get ready. One of you must fit your foot in that slipper, no matter what it takes!”  The stepmother swirled around to face Cinderella.  “Get out of my sight,” she glowered, “Go to your room right now and stay there!”

The Prince knocked.  The stepmother flew open the door.  “Come in!” she said in a sweet, sultry voice. “I have two lovely daughters you must see.”

The first stepsister tried to fit her foot in the glass slipper.

As hard as she tried, her foot could not squeeze in. The second step-sister tried to fit her foot inside, but no dice.  And neither of them had the other glass slipper.

“Are there any other young women in the house?” said the Prince.

“None,” said the stepmother.

“Then I will take my leave,” said the Prince.

“Maybe there is one more,” said Cinderella, stepping into the room.

“I thought you said there were no other young women here,” said the Prince.

“None who matter!” seethed the stepmother.

“Come here,” said the Prince warmly.

Cinderella stepped up to him.  The Prince got down on one knee and tried the glass slipper on her foot.

It fit perfectly!  “Well, I suppose I have the pair back again,” said Cinderella.  And from her pocket she took out the other glass slipper!

“I knew it!” he cried.  “You are the one!”

“What?” shouted a stepsister.

“Not her!” screamed the other stepsister.

“This cannot be!” shrieked the stepmother.

But it was too late.  The prince looked into her eyes.  He knew that this young woman was the very same one he had met and danced with, and loved talking to.  He did not see the cinders in her hair or the ashes on her face.

“I have found you!” he said.

“And I have found you,” said Cinderella.

And so Cinderella and the Prince were married, and they lived happily ever after.