a young Ella wandered barefoot across the grass, her laughter mingling with the song of robins flitting through the hazel branches. By her side, her mother rested on the old bench, her eyes shining with love and wisdom. "Remember, Ella: Have courage, and be kind," her mother murmured, pressing a tender kiss to Ella's brow. The hazel tree shivered as if imprinting the words in its heart. (a still young) Ella clung to the hazel tree, tears trailing down her cheeks, whispering her mother's words like a prayer. The gentle chitter of mice at her feet and the soft coo of doves offered comfort, tiny reminders that kindness still thrived in small corners.
Stepmother seized control, her smile vanished. Ella became a servant, her hands red from scrubbing floors, her face smudged with soot.
Drusilla and Anastasia lounged in silks, mocking her with laughter that stung like nettles. "Look at her, covered in cinders! Cinderella, that's what you are now," jeered Anastasia. Yet Ella only smiled softly, whispering to the mice, "Don't mind them, little ones. Let's find joy where we can."
A royal invitation to the ball came in the mail. Stepmother refused Ella 's request to attend. Instead, she dumped a bowl of lentils into the ashes. "If you can pick them out before we leave, perhaps," she sneered.
Ella danced with the prince beneath a cascade of starlight, her heart soaring.
Eventually, The Prince came to cinderellas home, asking everyone to try on the slipper. Drusilla wrenched and twisted her feet, grumbling as the slipper refused her.
Drusilla and Anastasia approached, their voices trembling with hope and regret. Ella offered her hand, her smile gentle. "I forgive you," she said, and kindness blossomed like springtime in every heart.
Ella and the prince ruled with courage and joy, the hazel tree forever a symbol of hope in their gardens. Birds still sang, and Ella's mother’s wish echoed in every act of grace. In a kingdom where even ashes could sparkle, they lived happily ever after.
Meanwhile Prince was traveling the kingdom making everyone try on the slipper left behinde. Stopping at every door until he found his princess.
