CHAPTER 11

The Sweetest Stepmother

Once Charlotte’s mother was revived, the first thing she asked was, “Darling, tell me. Why did you wear these sneakers under your beautiful gown to a fancy ball? And why don’t you want to marry the prince?”

“It’s going to be okay, Charlotte,” Cupid said. “Just tell your mom the truth.”

Charlotte took a deep breath. “Mother, I’m sure the prince is fairy nice—” She paused and looked directly at Hopper. “Your Majesty, I’m sure you’re fairy nice.” Then she turned back to her mother. “But I don’t love him, and besides, I’m just not ready to get married,” she said. “And as for the sneakers… well, to be perfectly honest, I don’t care much for fancy balls. I would much rather be playing bookball with my friends. I’m part of a team with the local boys. I’ve been sneaking out to play bookball for a few months now.” Everyone gasped and waited for Charlotte’s mother to explode in anger. But instead, she simply looked surprised.

“Why were you afraid to tell me that?” she asked.

Charlotte was shocked. “Mother, all you ever talk about are fancy balls and having your daughters marry princes. I thought for sure you’d be furious with me.”

The wicked Stepmother then surprised everyone by saying something decidedly un-wicked. “My darling daughter, above everything else, I want you to be happy. And if that means playing bookball instead of wearing a ball gown and fancy shoes, then by all means, please, play bookball!”

“Oh, Mother, really? Thank you! Thank you so much!” Charlotte cried, and rushed to give her mother a big hug. It wasn’t long before Prudence joined in.

After the group hug, Stepmother looked at Charlotte and asked, “Are you happy now, my dear?”

“Happy? Happy?! Hexstatic is more like it!” Charlotte said.

Prudence, meanwhile, had been staring thoughtfully at Hopper. Hopper looked as nervous as ever. But Prudence, never taking her eyes off him, walked right up to Hopper and boldly asked, “Would you please dance with me, Your Majesty?”

“Me… you… dance… now?” Hopper said, stamming. “Well, I… aah… you see…” He began to sweat. He felt dizzy. And before he had a chance to run away—poof! Just like that, he changed into frog form. But even though he was mortified, Hopper the frog was finally able to find the words to say just what he wanted to. “My dear Prudence, I am but a lowly frog. If you just take a quick look around the kingdom, I am certain there are far better partners for you to dance with than I.” Hopper then bowed as grandly as a frog can bow and tried to hop away. But Prudence quickly caught up to him. She picked him up gently and looked him straight in his bulgy frog eyes.

“Wait a spell! I still think you would make a fableous dance partner,” Prudence said. “I know just what it’s like to feel different from everyone else. And you know what? Being different can be pretty spelltacular!”

Hopper the frog couldn’t help but smile. A girl—a lovely princess—wanted to dance with him, even when he was a frog!

Prudence put on some music and started dancing. Hopper the frog joined her. He was a little nervous at first, but before long, he loosened up and started having a wonderful time.

“I loooove dancing!” Hopper shouted to Prudence. (He had to shout, since she seemed like she was miles above his head.)

“I love dancing, too!” Prudence shouted back. They danced and danced. When the music stopped, there was wild applause.

“Your Majesty, I do believe you should throw another ball right away. I’d love to dance with you on a real dance floor, not just in my living room,” Prudence told him.

“I daresay you might be right,” Hopper the frog replied.