The palace was holding a banquet to welcome the kings from various countries, but one very important king refused to attend. He wasn’t used to hot weather, and unfortunately, it was summer and extremely hot. He said he would only come if it was as cold as winter, and preferably if it snowed.
But how could it be like winter in summer? How could it snow? Unless the Snow Fairy’s snow pearl could make it possible.
The king, anxious, put out a proclamation: Whoever can climb the snow mountain to borrow the snow pearl from the Snow Fairy, or make it snow, will marry the prince.
The stepmother said to Cinderella, “Go to the snow mountain and get the snow pearl. If you manage to get it, you can marry the prince. If you don’t, don’t bother coming back!”
In truth, she was hoping Cinderella would freeze to death on the mountain, which remained icy even in summer, removing the thorn in her side.
Cinderella went to consult the bird and the big tree, just as the Flower Fairy was sipping tea in the garden.
The big tree said, “You’ve helped the Snow Fairy before; she will surely lend you the snow pearl. Go ahead and summon her.”
“But it’s summer, and the Snow Fairy is sleeping.” Cinderella replied.
“Just try summoning her first,” said the bird, “Flower Fairy, you are friends with the Snow Fairy and can easily persuade her. Please summon her.”
“Are you joking? Even though we’re both fairies, the Snow Fairy isn’t easy to deal with. Do you think everyone is as beautiful, kind, and agreeable as I am?” said the Flower Fairy.
But the bird and the big tree kept urging her until the Flower Fairy finally said, “Alright, alright, I’ll summon her.”
Before long, a cold wind blew in, instantly chilling everyone to the bone who had just been sweating from the heat.
“Why does it feel like we’ve suddenly gone from summer to winter?” the big tree asked.
“This feels so good!” chirped the bird. “But why is it getting colder?”
The Flower Fairy said, “Didn’t you ask me to summon the Ice Snow Fairy? It must be her! Wherever she goes, it gets cold. The closer she gets, the colder it becomes, which means she’s almost here!”
Before she finished speaking, the Snow Fairy appeared in the garden, her skin white as snow, dressed entirely in white.
She turned to the Flower Fairy and said coldly, “Why have you summoned me so urgently? Don’t you know I’m hibernating this time of year?”
“This has nothing to do with me; they asked me to summon you.”
The Snow Fairy looked at the little bird and the big tree, her gaze seeming to bring a chill that made them shiver.
The big tree stammered, “W-well, we want you to lend the snow pearl to Cinderella, and… and for it to snow for one day…”
“Snow? It’s summer, and you want me to make it snow? Ridiculous!”
With that, she turned to leave.
The Flower Fairy said, “See? I told you she’s hard to deal with, but you didn’t believe me. I make flowers bloom in winter, but you think she’ll make it snow in summer? I’m kind, but she has a terrible temper!”
The Snow Fairy, furious, stopped and turned back. “What did you say?!”
“Isn’t it true? You hate the heat, but last time, you drank hot soup thinking it was cold water. Wasn’t it Cinderella who saved you? How can you not be grateful?”
The big tree pleaded, “Snow Fairy, please help Cinderella!”
The little bird chimed in, “Yeah, you’re so beautiful; you must be cold on the outside but warm on the inside!”
“Stop talking nonsense!”
Though she said this, the Snow Fairy opened her mouth and released a small, white ice ball that sparkled— it was the snow pearl.
She placed the snow pearl in a box and handed it to Cinderella.
Cinderella quickly thanked her and said, “But what if it melts in this heat?”
“If it could melt, it wouldn’t be a snow pearl! Even if you burn it, it won’t melt!”
Gathering courage, the little bird asked, “And… Snow Fairy, can you make it snow for one day?”
“Just tell the snow pearl what you want; stop bothering me!”
With that, she vanished.
Cinderella got the snow pearl, her stepmother and stepsisters were astonished.
On the day of the palace banquet, the stepmother and her two daughters brought the snow pearl to the palace.
In the scorching summer, the palace was delightfully cool, and it even started to snow.
Guests enjoyed the snow while sipping drinks made from the snow pearl, feeling very pleased; the important king was exceptionally satisfied.
However, the stepmother never mentioned that Cinderella was the one who obtained the snow pearl; she claimed it was her daughters who got it.
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