Cinderella’s stepmother constantly tormented her, making her do the hardest and most exhausting chores and often finding excuses to beat and scold her.
One day, she claimed Cinderella’s cooking was bad and began to beat her.
The rod struck Cinderella hard, causing her to cry out in pain.
When the stepmother struck a second time, she felt as if she herself was being hit, crying out louder than Cinderella.
She looked back but saw no one.
She raised the rod again and struck Cinderella even harder.
But she felt an even more severe blow herself, the pain intensifying.
Looking back again, she still saw no one.
The stepmother changed her position and continued to beat Cinderella.
This time, she was hit even harder as if someone was striking her in retaliation each time she hit Cinderella, but she saw no one.
Furious and frightened, the stepmother threw down the rod and left.
Cinderella then said, “Magic wand, you’ve been mischievous again. Stop hiding and come out!”
At that moment, a magic wand appeared in the air.
Cinderella said, “Didn’t I tell you not to act rashly?”
“I saw her hitting you and couldn’t help but teach her a lesson!” the wand replied.
The bird flew down and said, “She deserved the lesson!”
The tree behind them said, “The magic wand is made from my branch. Cinderella, do you remember when your father went on a journey and asked what gifts you all wanted? Your stepsisters asked for fine jewelry and clothes, but you only wanted a branch, which you planted by your mother’s grave to shelter her from the wind and rain. That’s how I grew to be what I am now. I’ve listened to your and your mother’s conversations, grown with your tears, and gained a spirit. The magic wand made from my branch naturally has a spirit too. It is very smart and knows how to protect its master.”
Leave a Reply