Magic Laundry

In the evening, the stepmother ordered Cinderella, “You can’t sleep until you finish washing the clothes! Otherwise, no food for you tomorrow!”

After Cinderella left, the stepmother and her two daughters snickered.

“In such cold weather, the water is icy. Washing so many clothes, her little hands will surely crack like they’ve been cut by knives!”

“We deliberately gave her so many clothes. How could she possibly finish washing them? It would take three days and nights! If she doesn’t finish, she won’t get to eat tomorrow. She’ll be hungry, cold, and exhausted. Even if she doesn’t die, she’ll be half-dead!”

At that moment, they heard a voice say, “You are truly cruel!”

They looked and saw a small bird perched by the window. It lived in the garden and often kept Cinderella company.

They picked up a stone and threw it at the bird, saying, “You meddlesome bird, we’ll roast you and eat you sooner or later!”

The next morning, when they woke up and stretched, they saw Cinderella energetically feeding the birds in the garden.

“How dare you! You have the nerve to feed the birds! Don’t forget, you can’t eat until you finish washing the clothes!”

“Stepmother, sisters, the clothes are already washed and almost dry!”

They followed Cinderella’s gaze and saw the garden full of clothes hanging to dry.

The three of them were dumbfounded.

Just as they were about to cause more trouble, the bird said, “Cinderella has already washed the clothes. You wouldn’t break your promise and not give her food, would you? I’ve told all the neighbors about this.”

The stepmother, fearing the neighbors’ condemnation, angrily said, “You talkative bird, I’ll destroy your nest sooner or later! Who said I wouldn’t keep my promise?”

It turned out Cinderella had learned magic.

Last night, she gently waved her magic wand, and the clothes in the bucket started stirring automatically, just like a washing machine.

After washing, she gently waved her magic wand again, and the clothes wrung themselves dry.

She waved her magic wand once more, and the clothes flew up to the clothesline to dry.

Without any effort, Cinderella finished washing the clothes and went to bed early.