It was eight o’ clock in the evening, and guests were beginning to arrive at the palace for the ball. Coaches waited in line at the palace entrance, dropping off young women who were hoping to win the Prince’s heart.

At the chateau, Cinderella looked out the window and saw a coachman and carriage waiting. While her stepmother and stepsisters primped for the big event, she had been doing dozens of chores. She had finally finished everything, but she hadn’t had time to fix her dress. Cinderella was tired and disappointed. With her broom in her hand and her head hanging low, Cinderella sadly walked to her stepmother’s room. She knocked on the door and Lady Tremaine opened it.

“The carriage is here,” said Cinderella solemnly. She turned around and walked away.

“Why, Cinderella,” began her stepmother, feigning concern. “You’re not ready, child.”

“I’m not going,” Cinderella answered.

“Not going,” echoed Lady Tremaine. “What a shame.” She smiled at Anastasia and Drizella, who were peering from behind the door. They all got a good laugh out of Cinderella’s unhappiness. Lady Tremaine’s plan had worked.

Cinderella walked back up to her dark room and leaned on the windowsill. She stared dreamily out the window and imagined what it would be like at the royal ball. The palace glowed in the distance, lighting up the night sky. It was a wondrous sight—but Cinderella would only see it from afar.

Suddenly, her room filled with light. She turned around and saw the birds opening her armoire. A glowing candle revealed a dress—the perfect dress—the one she had not had the time to make!

“Surprise!” cheered the mice.

Cinderella grabbed the dress and held it up. She twirled around the room with joy.

“Oh, thank you so much!” she said.

Meanwhile, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella were walking down the stairs in their finest gowns. They headed to the front door but were suddenly stopped.

“Wait, please wait for me!” called Cinderella. She floated down the stairs in her new gown. It fit her perfectly, and she beamed with happiness.

Her stepmother and stepsisters gasped. They were not expecting to see Cinderella, let alone see her look so perfectly beautiful.

“Think it will do?” asked Cinderella, twirling around to show off her dress. The mice were watching from the balcony and were thrilled to see the stepfamily on the spot. Anastasia and Drizella were furious, and looked to their mother to do something immediately. They would not have Cinderella go to the ball with them!

The deceitful Lady Tremaine motioned for her daughters to control themselves. Her scheming mind was at work, and once again she had plan. “After all, we did make a bargain…didn’t we?” she said to her daughters.

Cinderella smiled. The stepsisters were shocked. Lady Tremaine walked toward Cinderella. “And I never go back on my word,” she continued.

Jaq looked on suspiciously. He knew Lady Tremaine had something up her sleeve.

Lady Tremaine got even closer to Cinderella, who became a bit uncomfortable. Lady Tremaine lifted up the beaded necklace Cinderella was wearing—the beaded necklace that had belonged to Drizella. “How very clever…these beads, they give it just the right touch,” she said, turning toward Drizella. “Don’t you think so, Drizella?”

“Why, you little thief!” screamed Drizella, understanding her mother’s hint perfectly. “They’re my beads!” She stormed toward Cinderella and ripped the necklace from her neck. “Give them here!”

“Look, that’s my sash!” yelled Anastasia. She tore the sash right off the dress. The stepsisters ripped Cinderella’s dress while calling her names.

“Oh, stop, please!” cried Cinderella. She covered her face and was spun around like a top as her stepsisters pulled at every inch of her dress.

“Girls!” said Lady Tremaine. She opened the front door and beckoned her daughters. “That’s quite enough. Hurry along.” The stepsisters walked proudly out the door with Lady Tremaine close behind. “I won’t have you upsetting yourselves,” she continued. She followed them to the carriage, leaving Cinderella stranded and devastated in the hallway.

Lady Tremaine and her daughters had not only ruined Cinderella’s dress, they had also tried to ruin her spirit—and that made them very proud of themselves.