童话故事：真实的一个灰姑娘人生(6)

“Absolutely not,” the stepmother said. “The people at the palace will laugh at you. We’d be so embarrassed, we’d never show our faces in society again. Trust me, Cinderella; I’m doing you a favor.”
And with that said, the stepmother and stepsisters climbed into the carriage and left for the ball. Cinderella fell to her knees and cried harder than she had ever cried before.
“Oh, Mother and Father,” Cinderella prayed, “please forgive me for being so upset. I try so hard to have a happy heart, but it’s difficult when your heart is broken.”
Suddenly, a gust of wind circled Cinderella, and an old woman appeared out of thin air. She wore sparkling robes and had a kind smile. She dried Cinderella’s tears and stroked her hair.
“There, there, my child,” the old woman said. “A person as lovely as you shouldn’t be so sad.”
“Who are you?” Cinderella asked with a fright, for she had never seen the woman before in her life.
“I’m your Fairy Godmother,” the woman said. “I’m here to help you.”