Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a young girl named Cinderella, whose life was marked by kindness, patience... and injustice.

After the loss of her beloved father, she was left at the mercy of her stepmother, Lady Tremaine, a cruel, envious and status-obsessed woman.

Next to her lived her two daughters, Drisella and Anastasia, as vain as they were mean.

While they enjoyed luxuries, Cinderella lived in the attic and worked tirelessly: she cleaned, cooked, scrubbed... and all without a word of complaint.

In spite of the hardships, Cinderella kept hope.

Her only friends were the little animals of the forest: singing birds, lively little mice like Jaq and Gus Gus, who accompanied her and helped her whenever they could.

Her sweetness and pure heart shone even amidst the ash that daily stained her face.

One day, exciting news reached the village: the prince would hold a grand ball!

All the young ladies were invited, in the hope that one of them would win her heart.

Cinderella's stepsisters eagerly prepared, and she, excited, also wished to attend.

But her stepmother, full of contempt, imposed impossible tasks on her and made sure she had no time or proper clothes to go.

Disheartened, Cinderella was crying alone in the garden...when a flash of light enveloped her.

It was her Fairy Godmother!

With a compassionate smile and a flick of her wand, she transformed a pumpkin into a golden carriage, mice into elegant horses, and a rag into a dazzling gown.

On her feet, glass shoes that shone like stars.

"But remember," the fairy warned her, "the spell will be broken at midnight".

Cinderella arrived at the palace, and everyone gasped at her elegance.

The prince, upon seeing her, was captivated and did not want to dance with anyone else.

They shared laughter, looks...and a magical connection.

But then...

dong! dong!

The clock struck twelve!

Cinderella fled in haste, leaving one of her glass shoes behind on the grand staircase.

The prince, determined to find her, sent messengers all over the kingdom.

She would only marry the one who could fit that shoe.

Many tried, even Drisella and Anastasia, without success.

And when Cinderella wanted to try it, the stepmother tried to stop her.

But the Grand Duke insisted. Cinderella sat down, placed her foot...

and the shoe fitted perfectly!

At that instant, the Fairy Godmother appeared again, and with a new magic touch, transformed the rags into a dress even more beautiful than the previous one.

The prince recognized in her his beloved and, moved, asked her to be his wife.

Soon after, a grand wedding was held at the castle.

Cinderella, now a princess, showed compassion even to her stepmother and stepsisters, forgiving them nobly.

She ruled alongside the prince with justice and love, and together they proved that kindness, hope... and a little magic, can change any destiny.

And so Cinderella and the prince lived happily ever after, surrounded by loyal friends and a kingdom that loved them.