Cinderella felt awful.
Her stepsisters were at the fancy ball.
But she was home alone.
"I wish I could go to the ball."
Cinderella wiped away her tears.
"I must not feel sorry for myself," she said.
"I have lots of work to do."
Cinderella got a rag and a bucket.
She got down on her hands and knees.
And she began to scrub.
Cinderella heard something.
"What was that?" she thought.
She went outside.
There was a small woman at the fountain.
She had sparkling wings.
"Oops," she said. "I'm all wet!"
Cinderella gasped. "W-who are you?"
"I'm your fairy godmother," the woman said.
She stood up and flapped her wings.
The fairy flew over to Cinderella.
"I'm here to check on you," she said.
"I wanted to make sure you're okay."
Cinderella stared in surprise.
Suddenly she burst into tears.
"My dear!" the fairy said.
"What's wrong? Tell me!"
"I'm not okay," Cinderella said.
"My life is terrible!
I work and work and work.
And tonight . . ."
"You want to go to the ball," the fairy said.
Cinderella sniffed. "Yes, but—"
The fairy smiled brightly. "Then you will go!"