Building Reading Practice

Excerpt from The Book: "Cinderella"

Once upon a time, there was a girl named Cinderella. Cinderella lived with her father, his wife, and her two step sisters.Cinderella’s stepmother and sisters were very unkind to her. They were making her work all day cleaning, sewing, and cooking.When Cinderella was about seventeen years old, a messenger arrived with a special invitation. There was going to be a royal ball at the palace.The King wanted his son to find a bride. So he decided to invite every girl in the kingdom to the royal party- including Cinderella!Cinderella’s sisters and stepmother made her dress them for the ball, but never thought of allowing her to go there. They wanted her to clean all day while they were out of the house.When they were gone, Cinderella was very sad, she sat down and cried. Suddenly she heard a voice calling to her from the garden, and she went out to see who was there. It was her godmother, a good old fairy."Do not cry, Cinderella,” she said; “you also shall go to the ball. Bring me a large pumpkin.” With a wave of her wand, she turned a pumpkin into an elegant coach. Cinderella could now go to the ball.When The Fairy Godmother waved her wand again she made Cinderella’s rags into a beautiful dress. She added sparkling glass slippers.“Now go to the ball,” she said, “and enjoy yourself. But remember, you must leave the room before the clock strikes midnight. If you do not- your dress will return to its original rags."Cinderella was so thankful to her fairy godmother. She stepped into her coach and went away.At the ball, Prince Charming couldn't take his eyes off Cinderella. She was so beautiful that everybody looked at her, and wondered who she was. The Prince asked her to dance with him, and afterwards would dance with no one else. For Cinderella, the night was a dream come true.When the clock began to strike midnight Cinderella left, hurrying away. "Come back!" called the Prince. "I don't even know your name!" As Cinderella fled, one of her glass slippers came off.The Prince searched for the girl who fit the glass slipper, That belongs to the unknown Princess, And as he felt sure that no one else could wear such a tiny shoe as hers was, He sent out a herald to proclaim that whichever lady in his kingdom could put on this glass slipper should be his wife.All the great ladies who wished to be a Princess tried to put it on but in vain. Cinderella’s sisters tried, but could not get it on, and then Cinderella asked if she might try. She went with her sisters, And at once put on the shoe. Then she drew the matching slipper out from her pocket and slipped it on her other foot.Cinderella and the Prince were soon married. They celebrated in the big palace. And lived long together, happily ever after.