Cinderella and the Glass Pencil

   A lucky couple, not very long ago, gave birth to a beautiful little girl. They thought the baby should have only the finest name and she was named Cinderella. Her parents did everything they could for the special little girl. They treasured her and loved her dearly. Cinderella stayed inside writing stories while all the other children played outside. Her parents encouraged her and she worked very hard each day to fulfil her dream as an author.
   Only a week after Cinderella's eighth birthday, her mother passed away. Cinderella and her father were both in great despair for a long time. Cinderella worked harder and her father treasured Cinderella even more.
   A while later, Cinderella's father went away in search for a wife to watch over Cinderella. He returned several weeks later with a lovely woman and two girls Cinderella's age. Cinderella disliked them immediately but said nothing about it. She could see the evil in their eyes and knew instantly she would not enjoy living with them. The evil smile her new stepmother gave her sent chills up Cinderella's spine. "Cinderella, my dear," said her father, "This is Casey and Caitlin your new stepsisters. I'm sure you will get along well. This is your new stepmother, Diane. You will love her instantly!" Cinderella hoped her heart wasn't as cold as the November air. Caitlin finally spoke up, "Where are our rooms?" she asked annoyed. "Oh, yes." replied her father, "My best servants will show you." Servants stumbled toward them and the ladies followed. Cinderella's father had his warm smile that Cinderella hadn't seem for a long time. She could sense the love he had for this woman and she didn't want to be the one to spoil it. So she just closed her eyes and went to her room. She missed her mom more than ever. This wicked woman would never be her mother.
   Cinderella was 15 and still disliked the "impostors". Her dad was about to leave to go on a trip and Cinderella was not to come along. At least she would have the cook, Sarah. Sarah was one of the five people in the large house who was kind to her and taught Cinderella almost everything she knew. Her father loaded his bags and Cinderella watched as he jumped into the car. She went down the stairs to say goodbye. Her father kissed her on the cheek. "I love you Cinderella. I'll be back soon." Her stepmother walked next to him and kissed him. She was holding a shiny glass. " Here. Drink up. For your strength." Cinderella immediately recognized the liquid. Before she could warn her father, he had finished the glass. As he turned to go he fell flat on his face. Cinderella sprung by his side. "Dad!" she cried. She wept against his chest. Her stepmother suddenly yelled out "That cook! She told me it was an energy drink and to give it to my husband! She should be arrested immediately!" Sarah came out of the kitchen. She looked at Cinderella's dad's body lying in the dirt. "What happened?" she asked shocked. Diane pointed her long fingernail at Sarah. "Arrest her!"
   Hours later, Cinderella watched as Sarah was shoved into a police car. Cinderella had lost her two favorite people in one day. All she had now was an evil stepmother and two evil stepsisters. Cinderella watched as her father's body was placed in a trunk and then he was gone forever. As soon as the crowd left their yard, Cinderella looked up at Diane. Her wicked smile shone more than ever. Cinderella was put to work. She was handed a broom and swept the entire house. In hours, all of Cinderella's things were moved to the attic. Cinderella never had time to write. Her dream was pushed behind her and now her life was on cleaning.
   Late one night, Cinderella sat in bed. She picked up an old photograph of her with her family. A normal little girl with a family that loved her. Not a maid in her own house. It was a cold, dark night and to know nobody loved her made Cinderella cry. She put her head down on her pillow and slept dreaming of writing.
   Cinderella had turned nineteen but kept it to herself. There was a pound on Cinderella's door. She opened it to find Casey and Caitlin standing with scowls on their faces. "Do you know our birthday is in a week and six days and you haven't even bought any ingredients for the cake, or cleaned the house for the big party? The house better be spotless when we come back from our shopping spree or else!" said Caitlin and she slammed the door behind them. Cinderella sighed and picked up a bucket and mop. She walked down the many flights of stairs to the kitchen. She had just barely cleaned the floor yesterday and it was still clean. In fact, it was beautiful. She was about to put the mop away when she heard a loud splat! She spun around to find a large pile of mud in the middle of the floor. Casey was smirking from above. "Hey Cinderella! How could you let that happen!" She giggled and went out the door. Cinderella dipped the mop in the bucket and watched as a trickle of water fell to the floor. She felt her eyes get wet and her vision get blurry. Her mom was gone and so was her dad. Cinderella thought of what she wanted most. She remembered the encouraging words of her dad. "You can do anything you want Cinderella. Fulfil your dream. Do what you want most." She wanted to prove she was an author. In minutes, the floor was sparkling. Cinderella rushed to her room. She sat at her desk and wrote. As she finished her masterpiece, she heard the car rumble. She ran downstairs and smiled at the door. Diane walked in and said "Good job, Cinderella. Just checking in." and she was gone. Cinderella had never had free time before so she went to explore the house. She went to the storage room although she expected to find nothing. She was curios to see what was there. In the room was only a small trunk. Cinderella, always curious, opened the trunk. In the trunk was a glass pencil. It had led and shone before Cinderella's eyes. An obviously old note was attached to it. Cinderella looked at it closely.
My dear Cinderella,
I love you dearly and if anything should happen to me, I want you to always believe you will do great things. I had this pencil made especially for you. I was waiting until you were older. I love you very much, Cinderella.


Love,


Mom
   Cinderella clutched the pencil close. She went to the attic to hide it. Cinderella decided that for her mom, she would send her story to a publisher. She had to wait though. They were out of envelopes.
   Later that day, when Diane and the two sisters had returned, the doorbell rang. A man in black stood by the door holding a fancy note. "All children are invited to attend the annual Writers Fair." he said in a rough voice. "Thank you." said Diane and the man was gone. She turned to her daughters. "Do you know who is in charge of the fair? Its Jacob Knight! He is very handsome and has all the money you could want. You are both writing stories, because according to this invitation the best girl writer will be his new wife!" Casey and Caitlin both screamed with excitement. Cinderella came out from behind the shadows. "Can I come too?" she asked in a quiet voice. Casey and Caitlin exchanged looks and then looked at her mom. "No Mom" they said. "Please don't let her come!" "Well Cinderella," said Diane, "if you finish all your chores you may go." Cinderella gave her bright smile. "Thank you so much!" she said. When she was out of earshot Caitlin said, "Your really going to let her go?" "Of course not." said Diane. The girls giggled and no one felt sorry for poor Cinderella.
   Each day, Cinderella found herself looking at the invitation. "Wear nice clothes and be a good writer." Cinderella said to herself. These word seemed like her friends she had read them so many times.
   It was a day before the fair and Cinderella had cleaned the entire house five times this week and had bought the perfect outfit. She had her story and was ready for the fair. Everything would change if she got this book published.
   Cinderella could barely sleep as she thought about the Writers Fair. The next morning, Cinderella had everything ready. Her chores were done quickly. Hours later, Cinderella came down in her perfect shirt and skirt. Casey and Caitlin's mouths opened in awe. Caitlin leaned over to Casey. "We have to prevent her from going." she whispered. Immediately Casey yelled out, "That's my sash!" and ripped it off. Soon Caitlin joined in and in minutes Cinderella's perfect outfit was rags. Cinderella looked down at the torn rags and wiped the tears from her eyes. The day she had looked forward to for a long time was ruined. Cinderella ran to the backyard to cry alone. Everything she ever wanted was gone. Her "family" had gone to the party that would have changed her life forever.
   Cinderella was only outside for moments when she felt someone was watching her. She turned to the rustle of leaves to find a woman who looked about in her early forties. Her dark hair glistened in the sunset. Frightened, Cinderella turned toward the back door. The woman stopped her by placing a callused hand on her shoulder. Cinderella was about to scream for help. The woman silenced her by putting her soft finger to Cinderella's lips. The woman had a familiar face, so Cinderella calmed herself slowly. The woman said in a calm voice. "I'm so sorry I frightened you, Cinderella. I'm Allison. I was your mothers friend. She would show me your stories when you were young and they were truly amazing for a six year old. I can only imagine what they are like know. I was talking to your stepsisters and they told me what happened. I work as a teacher at a school. I need to get you to that fair. You deserve it." Cinderella was shocked by the story. "But, I have nothing to wear." she said. Allison chuckled. "Oh really. I thought you would say that." Allison pulled out of a nearby rosebush a sparkling hot pink dress. Cinderella smiled her warm smile and in minutes was ready for the Writers Fair. Cinderella got her glass pencil and story and got in Allison's car. The ride seemed so short and soon they were in front of the Knight mansion. Cinderella thanked Allison warmly as Allison called out the window "Be back back 10:00 or else your ride home will be gone." "What ride?" asked Cinderella. Allison pointed at a hot pink limo. Cinderella smiled thanked Allison again went to the fair.
   Lights sparkled around Cinderella as she walked inside the mansion. She didn't make a big entrance so she walked up to a man at a table. He looked tired and Cinderella learned that he was a publisher for dictionaries and encyclopedias. She walked off to where people were crowded around. A handsome man with girls swarming around him was sitting in a chair with a small smile on his face. He introduced himself as Jacob Knight several times to girl after girl. She caught a quick glance of Caitlin, Casey and Diane. They saw her but had no idea it was Cinderella, their maid. Cinderella pushed through the crowd and handed Jacob the story. He read over it his smile getting wider and wider. He kissed Cinderella's hand and said "May I dance with you?" Cinderella wanted to say no, but he could publish her book.
   Cinderella and Jacob danced all night and Cinderella found herself falling in love with Jacob Knight and could only hope he felt the same about her.
   Before Cinderella knew it, it was 9:58. Cinderella left Jacobs hands and rushed toward the door. Jacob tried to stop her but she was already gone. The glass pencil dropped from Cinderella's dress and she was in the limo. Jacob picked up the pencil and saw dents where Cinderella's fingers had lain. "I didn't even know her name." he whispered to himself. He sent workers to find this mysterious girl and bring her to him.
   Cinderella did her normal chores, and when she finished, got her notebook to write more. If she was to publish one book she might as well have another ready.
   Meanwhile, Jacob sent workers to search for the girl. Around noon, they knocked at Cinderella's door. Diane, noticing they worked for Jacob, sent Cinderella up to her room. "So you won't embarrass us in front of my future son-in-law" she said in a stern voice. Cinderella listened intently to the conversation going on downstairs.
   The most trusted worker told them that Jacob Knight would marry the girl who's hand fit the pencil. Casey and Caitlin smiled with delight. The pencil was given to Casey first. Casey couldn't even hold the pencil. Caitlin's grip on the glass pencil was wrong. When Cinderella heard the workers leaving she ran downstairs and yelled "May I try?" The workers shrugged their shoulders and watched the delicate hands wrap in a perfect grip around the pencil. Casey and Caitlin looked in astonishment at the perfect fit. Cinderella smiled and was on her way to the palace.
   Jacob and Cinderella were married instantly. Everyone was happy except for Diane. Casey and Caitlin. Cinderella became an amazing writer and people read her books with smile on their faces. Cinderella wrote about her life, and many fiction stories. Cinderella never felt lonely again the rest of her life. And everyone lived happily ever after.