Cinderella

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

"Cinderella, or The Little Glass Slipper" is a fairy tale by Charles Perrault. It was first published anonymously in Paris in 1697 in Histoires ou contes du temps passé (English: Stories or Tales of Past Times), a collection of eight fairy tales by Perrault.

The story is about an ill-treated girl who, with the help of her fairy godmother, travels to a ball in a pumpkin coach. She flees the ball at midnight and loses her glass slipper. A prince, who has fallen in love with her, finds her lost slipper and uses it later to find her.

Similar European tales are found in Bonaventure des Periers's New Recreations and Joyous Games (1558) and Giambattista Basile's Pentamerone (1634-6). The Brothers Grimm included their version, "Aschenputtel", in Children's and Household Tales (1812). Tales similar to "Cinderella" exist in Chinese, Indian, African, Javanese, Australian, and Japanese literature and folklore. The tale has been adapted to the stage, movies, television, and other media.

Questions and Answers

Q: Who wrote the story of Cinderella?

A: Charles Perrault wrote the story of Cinderella.

Q: When was it first published?

A: The story was first published anonymously in Paris in 1697 in Histoires ou contes du temps passé (English: Stories or Tales of Past Times).

Q: What is the plot of the story?

A: The plot of the story is about an ill-treated girl who, with the help of her fairy godmother, travels to a ball in a pumpkin coach. She flees the ball at midnight and loses her glass slipper. A prince, who has fallen in love with her, finds her lost slipper and uses it later to find her.

Q: Are there other European tales similar to "Cinderella"?

A: Yes, there are other European tales similar to "Cinderella", such as Bonaventure des Periers's New Recreations and Joyous Games (1558) and Giambattista Basile's Pentamerone (1634-6). The Brothers Grimm also included their version, "Aschenputtel", in Children's and Household Tales (1812).

Q: Are there similar tales from other cultures?

A: Yes, there are similar tales from other cultures such as Chinese, Indian, African, Javanese, Australian and Japanese literature and folklore.

Q: How has Cinderella been adapted over time?

A: Cinderella has been adapted over time for stage performances, movies, television shows and other media.