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Easy Tongue Twisters

1. Big black bear : A big black bug bit the big black bear, but the big black bear bit the big black bug back!Download this mp3 1/ mp3 2 2. clam cream can: How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?Download this mp3 3. Four furious friends: Four furious friends fought for the phone.Download this mp3 4. Green glass globes: Green glass globes glow greenly.Download this mp3 5. Ice cream : I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!.Download this mp3 6. Sandwich sane witch: There's a sandwich on the sand which was sent by a sane witch.Download this mp3 7. Spell New York: Knife and a fork, bottle and a cork, that is the way you spell New York.Download this mp3 8. I saw Susie: I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.Download this mp3

Medium Tongue Twisters- Try these slightly more difficult tongue twisters
1. Can you can a can: Can you can a can as a canner can can a can?Download this mp3 2. Copyright: When you write copy you have the right to copyright the copy you write.Download this mp3 3. Fuzzy wuzzy: Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, Fuzzy Wuzzy had no hair, Fuzzy Wuzzy wasn't very fuzzy, was he?Download this mp3 4. Good cook : How many cookies could a good cook cook If a good cook could cook cookies? A good cook could cook as much cookies as a good cook who could cook cookies.Download this mp3 5. How many cans ?: How many cans can a cannibal nibble, if a cannibal can nibble cans? As many cans as a cannibal can nibble if a cannibal can nibble cans.Download this mp3 6. I have got a date: I have got a date at a quarter to eight; Ill see you at the gate,so dont be late.Download this mp3 7. I thought of thinking: I thought, I thought of thinking of thanking you.Download this mp3 8. one one : One-one was a race horse. Two-two was one too. One-one won one race. Two-two won one too.Download this mp3 9. Peter piper: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?Download this mp3 10.Seven slick snails: Seven slick slimy snails, slowly sliding southward.Download this mp3 11.Spell chicago: Chicken in the car and the car can go, that is the way you spell Chicago. Download this mp3 12.Thirty three thieves: The thirty-three thieves thought that they thrilled the throne throughout Thursday.Download this mp3

13.Two witches, two watches: If two witches would watch two watches, which witch would watch which watch?Download this mp3 14.Understand: If you understand, say ""understand"". If you don't understand, say ""don't understand"". But if you understand and say ""don't understand"". how do I understand that you understand?Download this mp3 15.Whether the weather: Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not. Whether the weather be cold, or whether the weather be hot. We'll weather the weather whether we like it or not.Download this mp3

Difficult English Tongue Twisters


1. Betty butter: Betty bought some butter, but the butter Betty bought was bitter, so Betty bought some better butter, and the better butter Betty bought was better than the bitter butter Betty bought before!Download this mp3 2. Biscuit mixer: I bought a bit of baking powder and baked a batch of biscuits. I brought a big basket of biscuits back to the bakery and baked a basket of big biscuits. Then I took the big basket of biscuits and the basket of big biscuits and mixed the big biscuits with the basket of biscuits that was next to the big basket and put a bunch of biscuits from the basket into a biscuit mixer and brought the basket of biscuits and the box of mixed biscuits and the biscuit mixer to the bakery and opened a tin of sardines. Download this mp3 3. Doctor doctoring: When a doctor doctors a doctor, does the doctor doing the doctoring doctor as the doctor being doctored wants to be doctored or does the doctor doing the doctoring doctor as he wants to doctor?Download this mp3 4. Mary Mac: Mary Mac's mother's making Mary Mac marry me. My mother's making me marry Mary Mac. Will I always be so Merry when Mary's taking care of me? Will I always be so merry when I marry Mary Mac? Download this mp3 5. Nature watcher: Out in the pasture the nature watcher watches the catcher. While the catcher watches the pitcher who pitches the balls. Whether the temperature's up or whether the temperature's down, the nature watcher, the catcher and the pitcher are always around. The pitcher pitches, the catcher catches and the watcher watches. So whether the temperature's rises or whether the temperature falls the nature watcher just watches the catcher who's watching the pitcher who's watching the balls. Download this mp3 by Sharon Johnson 6. Wish to wish: I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.Download this mp3

Little Red Riding Hood


Once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl, the prettiest creature who was ever seen. Her mother was excessively fond of her; and her grandmother doted on her still more. This good woman had a little red riding hood made for her. It suited the girl so extremely well that everybody called her Little Red Riding Hood. One day her mother, having made some cakes, said to her, Go, my dear, and see how your grandmother is doing, for I hear she has been very ill. Take her a cake, and this little pot of butter. Little Red Riding Hood set out immediately to go to her grandmother, who lived in another village.

As she was going through the wood, she met with a wolf, who had a very great mind to eat her up, but he dared not, because of some woodcutters working nearby in the forest. He asked her where she was going. The poor child, who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and talk to a wolf, said to him, I am going to see my grandmother and carry her a cake and a little pot of butter from my mother. Does she live far off? said the wolf Oh I say, answered Little Red Riding Hood; it is beyond that mill you see there, at the first house in the village. Well, said the wolf, and Ill go and see her too. Ill go this way and go you that, and we shall see who will be there first. The wolf ran as fast as he could, taking the shortest path, and the little girl took a roundabout way, entertaining herself by gathering nuts, running after butterflies, and gathering bouquets of little flowers. It was not long before the wolf arrived at the old womans house. He knocked at the door: tap, tap. Whos there? Your grandchild, Little Red Riding Hood, replied the wolf, counterfeiting her voice; who has brought you a cake and a little pot of butter sent you by mother. The good grandmother, who was in bed, because she was somewhat ill, cried out, Pull the string, and the latch will go up. The wolf pulled the string n, and the door opened, and then he immediately fell upon the good woman and ate her up in a moment, for it been more than three days since he had eaten. He then shut the door and got into the grandmothers bed, expecting Little Red Riding Hood, who came some time afterwards and knocked at the door: tap, tap. Whos there? Little Red Riding Hood, hearing the big voice of the wolf, was at first afraid; but believing her grandmother had a cold and was hoarse, answered, It is your grandchild Little Red Riding Hood, who has brought you a cake and a little pot of butter mother sends you. The wolf cried out to her, softening his voice as much as he could, Pull the string, and the latch will go up. Little Red Riding Hood pulled the string, and the door opened. The wolf, seeing her come in, said to her, hiding himself under the bedclothes, Put the cake and the little pot of butter upon the stool, and come sit on the bed with me. Little Red Riding Hood sat on the bed. She was greatly amazed to see how her grandmother looked in her nightclothes, and said to her, Grandmother, what big arms you have! All the better to hug you with, my dear. Grandmother, what big legs you have! All the better to run with, my child. Grandmother, what big ears you have! All the better to hear with, my child. Grandmother, what big eyes you have! All the better to see with, my child. Grandmother, what big teeth you have got!

All the better to eat you up with. And, saying these words, this wicked wolf fell upon Little Red Riding Hood, and ate her all up. Children who enjoy getting an education in music may have life-long interests in the subject they should pursue. Dear Kidz, These are wonderful Little Red Riding Hood illustrations fairytale for our recording on Storynory. A Special thanks to Sophie Green who designed the pictures. I hope they help bring the Story to life as youre listening.

Snow White
A very long time ago, in mid winter, when the snowflakes were falling like feathers from heaven, a beautiful queen sat sewing at her window, which had a frame of black ebony. As she worked, she looked sometimes at the falling snow, and it happened that she pricked her finger with her needle, so that three drops of blood fell upon the snow. How pretty the red blood looked upon the dazzling white! The Queen said to herself as she looked it, Ah me! If only I had a dear little child who had skin as white as the snow, lips as rosy as the blood, and hair as black as the ebony window-frame. Soon afterwards she had a little daughter, with skin white as snow, lips rosy as blood, and hair as black as ebony and she was therefore called Little Snow-White. But alas! When the little one was born, the good queen died. A year passed away, and the King took another wife. She was a beautiful woman, but proud and haughty, and she could not bear that anyone else should surpass her in beauty. She had a mirror and when she stood in front of it and asked, Mirror, mirror upon the wall, Who is the fairest of us all? the mirror answeredThou, O Queen, art the fairest of all, and the Queen was contented, because she knew the mirror could speak nothing but the truth. But as time passed on, Little Snow-White grew more and more beautiful, until when she was seven years old, she was as lovely as the bright day, and still more lovely than the Queen herself, so that when the lady one day asked her mirrorMirror, mirror upon the wall, Who is the fairest fair of us all? it answeredO Lady Queen, though fair ye be, Snow-White is fairer far to see. The Queen was shocked, and grew yellow and green with envy, and from that moment envy and pride grew in her heart like rank weeds, so that she had no peace day or night, until one day she called a huntsman and said Take the child away into the woods and kill her, for I can no longer bear the sight of her. And when you return, bring with you her heart, that I may know you have obeyed my will. The huntsman dared not disobey, and he led Snow-White out into the woods and placed an arrow in his

bow to pierce her innocent heart, but the little girl cried and begged him saying, Ah dear huntsman, leave me my life! I will run away into the wild forest, and never come home again. And as she was so beautiful the huntsman had pity on her and said, Run away, then, you poor child. While to himself he thought, The wild beasts will soon have devoured you, and yet it seemed as if a stone had been rolled from his heart since he know longer had to to kill her. Then as a young wild boar came rushing by, he killed it, took out its heart, and carried it home to the Queen. The cook was ordered to prepare this, and the wicked Queen ate it, and thought she had eaten the heart of Snow-white. Poor little Snow-White was now all alone in the wild wood, and so frightened was she that she trembled at every leaf that rustled. Then she began to run, and ran over sharp stones and through thorns, and the wild beasts ran past her, but did her no harm. And she kept on runningn until she came to a little house, where she went in to rest. Inside the cottage, everything she saw was tiny, but more dainty and clean than words can tell. Upon a white-covered table stood seven little plates and upon each plate lay a little spoon, besides which there were seven knives and forks and seven little goblets. Against the wall, and side by side, stood seven little beds covered with perfectly white sheets. Snow-White was so hungry and thirsty that she took a little food from each of the seven plates, and drank a few drops of wine from each goblet, for she did not wish to take everything away from one. Then, because she was so tired, she crept into one of the beds, but it did not suit her, and then she tried the others, but one was too long, another too short, and so on, until she came to the seventh, which suited her exactly; so she said her prayers and soon fell fast asleep. When night fell the masters of the little house came home. They were seven dwarfs, who worked with a pick-axe and spade, searching for cooper and gold in the heart of the mountains. They lit their seven candles and then saw that someone had been to visit them. The first said, Who has been sitting on my chair? The second said, Who has been eating from my plate? The third, Who has taken a piece of my bread? The fourth, Who has taken some of my vegetables? The fifth, Who has been using my fork? The sixth, Who has been cutting with my knife? The seventh, Who has been drinking out of my goblet? The first looked round and saw that his bed was rumpled, so he said, Who has been getting into my bed? Then the others looked round and each one cried, Someone has been on my bed too? But the seventh, when he looked at his bed, saw little Snow-white, who was lying asleep there. And he called the others, who came running up, and they cried out with astonishment, and brought their seven little candles and let the light fall on little Snow-white. Oh, heavens! oh, heavens! cried they, what a lovely child! and they were so glad that they did not wake her up, but let her sleep on in the bed. And the seventh dwarf slept with his companions, one hour with each, and so got through the night. When the sun rose, Snow-White awoke, and, oh! How frightened she was when she saw the seven little dwarfs. But they were very friendly, and asked what her name was. My name is Snow-White, she

answered. And how did you come to get into our house? asked the dwarfs. Then she told them how her cruel step-mother had intended her to be killed, but how the huntsman had spared her life and she had run on until she reached the little house. And the dwarfs said, If you will take care of our house, cook for us, and make the beds, wash, mend, and knit, and keep everything neat and clean, then you may stay with us and you shall lack for nothing. Yes, answered Snow-White; With All my heart, and so she stayed. She kept the house neat and clean for the dwarfs, who went off early in the morning to search for copper and gold in the mountains, and who expected their meal to be standing ready for them when they returned at night. All day long Snow-White was alone, and the good little dwarfs warned her to be careful to let no one into the house. For, said they, your step-mother will soon discover that you are living here. The Queen, believing, of course, that Snow-White was dead, and that she had eaten her heart, and that therefore she was again the most beautiful lady in the land, went to her mirror, and saidMirror, mirror upon the wall, Who is the fairest fair of all? Then the mirror answeredO Lady Queen, though fair ye be, Snow-White is fairer far to see. Over the hills and far away, She dwells with seven dwarfs to-day. How angry she was, for she knew that the mirror spoke the truth, and that the huntsman must have deceived her. She thought and thought how she might kill Snow-White, for she knew she would have neither rest nor peace until she really was the most beautiful land. At length she decided what to do. She painted her face and dressed herself like an old pedlar-woman, so that no one could recognize her, and in this disguise she climbed the seven mountains that lay between her and the dwarfs house, and knocked at their door and cried, Pretty things to sell, very cheap, very cheap. Snow-White peeped from the window and said, Good day, good-wife, and what are your wares? All sorts of pretty things, my dear, answered the woman. Silken laces of every colour, and she held up a bright-coloured one, made of plaited silks. Surely I might let this honest old woman come in? thought Snow-White, and unbolted the door and bought the pretty lace. Dear, dear, what a sight for sore eyes you are, child, said the old woman; come, let me lace you properly for once. Snow-White had no suspicious thoughts, so she placed herself in front of the old woman that she might fasten her dress with the new silk lace. But immediately the wicked creature laced her bodice so tightly that she could not breathe, and fell down upon the ground as though she were dead. Now, said the Queen, I am once more the most beautiful lady in the land, and she went away. When the dwarfs came home they were very grieved to find their dear little Snow-White lying upon the ground as though she were dead. They lifted her gently and, seeing that she was too tightly laced, they cut the silken cord, when she drew a long breath and then gradually came back to life. When the dwarfs heard all that had happened they said, The pedlar-woman was certainly the wicked Queen. Now, take care in future that you open the door to none when we are not with you. The wicked Queen had no sooner reached home than she went to her mirror, and said-

Mirror, mirror upon the wall, Who is the fairest fair of all? And the mirror answered as beforeO Lady Queen, though fair ye be, Snow-White is fairer far to see. Over the hills and far away, She dwells with seven dwarfs to-day. The blood rushed to her face as she heard these words, for she knew that Snow-White must have come to life again. But I will manage to put an end to her yet, she said, and then, by using witchcraft, she made a poisonous comb. Again she disguised herself, climbed the seven mountains, and knocked at the door of the seven dwarfs cottage, crying, Pretty things to sell-very cheap today! Snow-White looked out of the window and said, Go away, good woman, for I dare not let you in. Surely you can look at my goods, answered the woman, and held up the poisonous comb, which pleased Snow-White so well that she opened the door and bought it. Come, let me comb your hair in the newest way, said the woman, and the poor unsuspicious child let her have her way, but no sooner did the comb touch her hair than the poison began to work, and she fell fainting to the ground. There, you model of beauty, said the wicked woman, as she went away, you are done for at last! But fortunately it was almost time for the dwarfs to come home, and as soon as they came in and found Snow-White lying upon the ground they guessed that her wicked step-mother had been there again, and set to work to find out what was wrong. They soon saw the poisonous comb, and drew it out of her hair, and almost immediately Snow-White began to recover, and told them what had happened. Once more they warned her to be on her guard, and to open the door to no one. When the Queen reached home, she went straight to the mirror and said Mirror, mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest fair of all? And the mirror answeredO Lady Queen, though fair ye be, Snow-White is fairer far to see. Over the hills and far away, She dwells with seven dwarfs to-day. When the Queen heard these words she shook with rage. Snow-White shall die, she cried, even if it costs me my own life! She went into a secret chamber, where no one else ever entered, and there she made a poisonous apple, and then she painted her face and disguised herself as a peasant woman, and climbed the seven mountains and went to the dwarfs house. She knocked at the door. Snow-White put her head out of the window, and said, I must not let anyone in; the seven dwarfs have forbidden me to do so. Its all the same to me, answered the peasant woman; I shall soon get rid of these fine apples. But before I go Ill make you a present of one. Oh! No, said Snow-White, for I must not take it. Surely you are not afraid of poison? said the woman. See, I will cut one in two: the rosy cheek you

shall take, and the white cheek I will eat myself. Now, the apple had been so cleverly made that only the rose-cheeked side contained the poison. SnowWhite longed for the delicious-looking fruit, and when she saw that the woman ate half of it, she thought there could be no danger, and stretched out her hand and took the other part. But no sooner had she tasted it than she fell down dead. The wicked Queen laughed aloud with joy as she gazed at her. White as snow, red as blood, black as ebony, she said, this time the dwarfs cannot awaken you. And she went straight home and asked her mirror Mirror, mirror upon the wall, Who is the fairest fair of all? And at length it answered Thou, O Queen, art fairest of all! So her envious heart had peace-at least, as much as an envious heart can have peace. When the little dwarfs came home at night they found Snow-White lying upon the ground. No breath came from her parted lips, for she was dead. They lifted her tenderly and sought for some poisonous object which might have caused the mischief, unlaced her frock, combed her hair, and washed her with wine and water, but all in vain-dead she was and dead she remained. They laid her upon a bier, and all seven of them sat round about it, and wept as though their hearts would break, for three whole days. When the time came that she should be laid in the ground they could not bear to part from her. Her pretty cheeks were still rosy red, and she looked just as though she were still living. We cannot hide her away in the dark earth, said the dwarfs, and so they made a transparent coffin of shining glass, and laid her in it, and wrote her name upon it in letters of gold; and that she was a Kings daughter. Then they put the coffin out upon the mountain-top, and one of them always stayed by it and watched it. And birds came too, and wept for Snow-white; first an owl, then a raven, and last a dove. For a long, long time little Snow-White lay in the coffin, but she did not change; she only looked as though she slept, for she was still as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as ebony. It chanced that a Kings son came into the wood, and went to the dwarfs house, meaning to spend the night there. He saw the coffin upon the mountain-top, with little Snow-White lying within it, and he read the words that were written upon it in letters of gold. And he said to the dwarfs, If you will but let me have the coffin, you may ask of me what you will, and I will give it to you. But the dwarfs answered, We would not sell it for all the gold in the world. Then said the Prince, Let me have it as a gift, I pray you, for I cannot live without seeing little SnowWhite, and I will prize your gift as the dearest of my possessions. The good little dwarfs pitied him when they heard these words, and so gave him the coffin. The Kings son then bade his servants place it upon their shoulders and carry it away, but as they went they stumbled over the stump of a tree, and the violent shaking shook the piece of poisonous apple which had lodged in Snow-Whites throat out again, so that she opened her eyes, raised the lid of the coffin, and sat up, alive once more. Where am I? she cried, and the happy Prince answered, Thou art with me, dearest. Then he told her all that had happened, and how he loved her better than the whole world, and begged her to go with him to his fathers palace and be his wife. Snow-White agreed, and went with him, and

the wedding was celebrated with great splendour and magnificence. Little Snow-Whites wicked step-mother was invited to the feast, and when she had dressed herself in her most beautiful clothes, she stood before her mirror, and said Mirror, mirror upon the wall, Who is the fairest fair of all? And the mirror answered O Lady Queen, though fair ye be, The young Queen is fairer to see. Oh! How angry the wicked woman was then, and so terrified, too, that she scarcely knew what to do. At first she thought she would not go to the wedding at all, but then she felt that she could not rest until she had seen the young Queen. No sooner did she enter the palace than she recognized little SnowWhite, and could not move for terror. Then a pair of red-hot iron shoes was brought into the room with tongs and set before her, and these she was forced to put on and to dance in them until she could dance no longer, but fell down dead, and that was the end of the wicked queen.

Cinderella
ONCE there was a gentleman who married, for his second wife, the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. She had been married before, and already had two daughters who were exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by his first wife, a young daughter, but of unequalled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world. This sweet little girl missed her mother, who had died, terribly much. No sooner was the wedding ceremony over, than the new wife began to show herself in her true colors. She could not bear the goodness of the gentlemans pretty girl, and especially as she made her own daughters appear the more horrid. She made her do the meanest jobs in the house: the girl scoured the dishes and tables, and scrubbed the stepmothers bathroom, and those of her daughters; she slept in a little attic, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay upon beds with the softest pillows, in fine rooms, with floors covered with beautiful carpets, and walls on which hung looking-glasses so large that they might see themselves at their full length from head to foot. The poor girl bore all patiently, and dared not tell her father, who would have been angry with her; for his new wife ruled him entirely. When the little girl had done her work, she used to go into the chimney-corner, and sit down among cinders and ashes, which led her to be called Cinderwench; but the youngest step-daughter, who was not quite so rude and unkind as the eldest, called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, even though she was dressed in rags, was a hundred times prettier than her sisters, though they were always dressed very richly. It happened that the Kings son gave a ball, and invited all finest gentlemen and ladies of the city. Our young misses were also invited, for they were always to be seen at fashionable parties. They were truly delighted at this invitation, and wonderfully busy in choosing such gowns, petticoats, and head-clothes as might suit them. This was a new trouble to Cinderella; for it was she who washed and ironed her sisters clothes and got all their things ready. Meanwhile, the sisters talked all day long of nothing but what they should wear to the ball. For my part, said the eldest, I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimming. And I, said the youngest, shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put

on my gold-flowered gown, and my diamond belt, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world. But in truth, they were still not absolutely sure what would be best to wear to the ball, so they sent for the best fashion designer they could find to advise on their evening dresses, and they had their nails maniqured at Mademoiselle de la Poche. Cinderella was likewise called up to them for advice, for she had excellent judgement, and advised them always for the best, indeed, and offered her services to make up their hair, which they were very willing she should do. As she was doing this, they said to her: Cinderella, would you not be glad to go to the ball? Alas! said she, you only jeer me; it is not for a poor girl like me to go there. Youre quite right, replied they; it would make the people laugh to see a Cinderwench at a ball. Anyone but Cinderella would have dressed their heads all wrong, but she was very good, and dressed them perfectly well. The step-sisters were almost two days without eating, so much were they thrilled and excited. They broke above a dozen corsettes in trying to be laced up tightly, so that they might have a fine slender shape, and they were continually at their looking-glass. At last the happy day came; they went to Court, and Cinderella followed them with her eyes as long as she could, and when she had lost sight of them, she fell a-crying. Just then, her fairy-godmother, who used to watch-over her secretly, saw her all in tears, and appeared at her side and asked her what was the matter. I wish I couldI wish I could; she was not able to speak the rest, being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. This fairy godmother of hers said to her, You wish you could go to the ball; is it not so? Yes, cried Cinderella, with a great sigh. Well, said her godmother, be but a good girl, and I will see that you shall go to the ball. Then she took her into her secret room, and said to her, Run into the garden, and bring me a pumpkin. Cinderella went immediately to gather the finest she could get, and brought it to her godmother, not being able to imagine how this pumpkin could make her go to the ball. Her godmother scooped out all the inside of the big vegitable, leaving nothing but the rind; which done, she struck it with her wand, and the pumpkin was instantly turned into a fine coach, gilded all over with gold. She then went to look into her mouse-trap, where she found six mice, all alive, and ordered Cinderella to lift up a little the trapdoor. As each mouse went out, she gave it a little tap with her wand, and the mouse was that moment turned into a fine horse, which altogether made a very fine set of six horses of a beautiful mouse-colored dapple-gray. But they still needed a coachman, I will go and see, says Cinderella, if there is a rat in the rat-trapwe may make a coachman of him. Youre a smart one, replied her godmother; go and look. Cinderella brought the trap to her, and in it there were three huge rats. The fairy made choice of one of the three which had the largest beard, and, having touched him with her wand, he was turned into a fat, jolly coach- man, who had the smartest whiskers eyes ever beheld. After that, she said to her: Go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering-pot, bring them to me.

She had no sooner done so but her godmother turned them into six footmen, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their uniforms all bedaubed with gold and silver, and clung as close behind each other as if they had done nothing else their whole lives. The Fairy then said to Cinderella: Well, you have here transport fit to take you to the ball; are you not pleased with it? Oh! yes, cried she; but must I go there as I am, in these nasty rags? Her godmother only just touched her with her wand, and, at the same instant, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all beset with jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, the prettiest in the whole world. Being thus decked out, she got up into her coach; but her godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay till after midnight, telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes become just as they were before. She promised her godmother she would not fail of leaving the ball before midnight; and then away she drives, scarce able to contain herself for joy. The Kings son who was told that a great princess, whom nobody knew, was come, ran out to receive her; he gave her his hand as she alighted out of the coach, and led her into the ball, among all the company. There was immediately a profound silence, they left off dancing, and the violins ceased to play, so attentive was everyone to contemplate the singular beauties of the unknown new-comer. Nothing was then heard but a confused noise of: Ha! how lovey she is! Ha! how lovely she is! The King himself, old as he was, could not help watching her, and telling the Queen softly that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature. All the ladies were busied in considering her clothes and headdress, that they might have some made next day after the same pattern, provided they could meet with such fine material and as able hands to make them. The Kings son led her to the most honorable seat, and afterward took her out to dance with him; she danced so very gracefully that they all more and more admired her. A fine banquet was served up, of which the young prince ate not a morsel, so intently was he busied in gazing on her. She went and sat down by her sisters, showing them a thousand polite gestures, giving them part of the oranges and lemon blosoms which the Prince had presented her with, which very much surprised them, for they did not recognise her. While Cinderella was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the clock strike eleven and three-quarters, whereupon she immediately made a courtesy to the company and hasted away as fast as she could. When she got home she ran to seek out her godmother, and, after having thanked her, she said she could not but heartily wish she might go next day to the ball, because the Kings son had desired her. As she was eagerly telling her godmother whatever had passed at the ball, her two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderella ran and opened. How long you have stayed! cried she, gaping, rubbing her eyes and stretching herself as if she had been just waked out of her sleep; she had not, however, any manner of inclination to sleep since they went from home. If you had been at the ball, said one of her sisters, you would not have been tired with it. There came there the finest princess, the most beautiful ever was seen with mortal eyes; she was a thousand times nice to us, and gave us orange and lemon blossoms. Cinderella seemed very indifferent in the matter; indeed, she asked them the name of that princess; but

they told her they did not know it, and that the Kings son was very uneasy on her account and would give all the world to know who she was. At this Cinderella, smiling, replied: She must, then, be very beautiful indeed; how happy you have been! Could not I see her? Ah! dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me your yellow suit of clothes which you wear every day. Ay, to be sure! cried Miss Charlotte; lend my clothes to such a dirty Cinderwench as you! I should be a fool. Cinderella, indeed, expected well such answer, and was very glad of the refusal; for she would have been sadly put to it if her sister had lent her what she asked for jokingly. The next day the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, but dressed more magnificently than before. The Kings son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her; to whom all this was so far from being tiresome that she quite forgot what her godmother had recommended to her; so that she, at last, counted the clock striking twelve when she took it to be no more than eleven; she then rose up and fled, as nimble as a deer. The Prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which the Prince took up most carefully. She got home but quite out of breath, and in her nasty old clothes, having nothing left her of all her finery but one of the little slippers, fellow to that she dropped. The guards at the palace gate were asked: If they had not seen a princess go out. They replied that had seen nobody go out but a young girl, very meanly dressed, and who had more the air of a poor country wench than a gentlewoman. When the two sisters returned from the ball Cinderella asked them: If they had been well diverted, and if the fine lady had been there. They told her: Yes, but that she hurried away immediately when it struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, which the Kings son had taken up; that he had done nothing but look at her all the time at the ball, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person who owned the glass slipper. What they said was very true; for a few days after the Kings son commanded it to be proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, that he would marry the young woman whose foot would perfectly fit the slipper. He sent out his most trusted advsiers from the palace, who began to try it upon the princesses, then the duchesses and all the Court, but in vain; it was brought to the two sisters, who each did all that she possibly could to thrust her foot into the slipper, but neither sister could manage to do so. Cinderella, who saw all this, and knew her slipper, said to them, laughing: Let me see if it will not fit me. Her sisters burst out a-laughing, and began to tease her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella, and, finding her very handsome, said: it was only right that that she should try, and that he had orders to let every girl try. He asked Cinderella to sit down, and, putting the slipper to her foot, he found it went on very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. The astonishment her two sisters were in was excessively great, but still abundantly greater when Cinderella pulled out of her pocket the other slipper, and put it on her foot. Thereupon, in came her godmother, who, having touched with her wand Cinderellas clothes, made them richer and more magnificent than any of those she had before. And now her two sisters found her to be that fine, beautiful lady whom they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all the ill- treatment they had dished out to her. Cinderella took them up, and, as she embraced them, cried: That she forgave them with all her heart, and desired them always to love her.

She was brought by carriage to the young prince, dressed as she was; he thought her more charming than ever, and, a few days after, married her. Cinderella, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters rooms in the palace, and that very same day matched them with two great lords of the Court. Dear Kidz, This is one of the loveliest fairytales,of which all young girls Im sure do love, in dreaming too that they could meet their prince charming. But alas I should have been in bed long ago, if I were cinderella Id be a pumpkin by now. I hope youre getting to bed in good time. And thank you again to Sophie Green, our wonderful illustrator for Storynory and her latest pictures that accompany this classic fairytale by Charles Perrault, my favourite french Fairytale author, best known for Little Red Riding Hood

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