Disney Books - Cinderella Deluxe Illustrated Novel

Copyright 2015 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address Disney Press, 1101 Flower Street, Glendale, California 91201.

ISBN 978-1-4847-2377-7

For more Disney Press fun, www.disneybooks.com.
For more Cinderella fun, visit www.disney.com/cinderella.

For C.P., my very own fairy godmother

B.C.

For Courtney, my little sister and princess

C.G.

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over,
it became a butterfly.

English Proverb

T HERE were quite a few special things about the five-year-old girl named Ella: the first being that she could already quote Shakespeare, usually her fathers favorite lines, but occasionally the particularly funny-sounding ones that made her giggle; the second being that she charmed everyone she met, every man, woman, bird, and beast; and the third being that she, at this very moment, was a mighty elephant.

HMMMMMM! the elephant-girl cried, swaying her arm to and fro. She knocked over a few toy blocks and stomped her feet as hard as she could. Then, squinting her eyes, she looked around the hazy savanna for her elephant friends.

Suddenly, a frantic scurrying interrupted the girls play. Matilda! Edna! The glowing sun turned into candlelight. The full trees transformed into long curtains. The waving grass became her soft pink rug. The large watering hole turned into her cozy bed, and the faraway land of Ellas imagination faded into her snug bedroom once more.

She ran to the mice to make sure they were okay, chiding herself for not being more careful. The mice had been roaming in the walls of her room for as long as she could remember. Shed named them after some of her favorite characters in the books her father read to herMatilda, a charming woman who guided lost souls through a valley, and Ednaa pleasant nurse who could heal anyone. True, neither of these characters were mice exactly, but Ella believed her friends liked the names just the same. They were such lovely companions, so sweet and playful.

However, not everyone saw the mice that way. When the housemaid Helen had found Ellas little whiskered playmates while straightening Ellas room, she had shrieked and rushed downstairs, running into Ellas mother on her way to the kitchen.

Helen, whats wrong? Ellas mother had asked when she saw the frantic woman rushing toward her.

I hate to tell you this, miss, Helen replied. But Ellas room has been infested. There are at least two rodents in there, the dirty creatures. We must get the rat poison straightaway.

No! Both Helen and Ellas mother turned to look at Ella who had been quietly trailing behind Helen. Ellas mother bent down so she was at eye-level with her daughter.

Yes, sweetheart?

Taking a deep breath, Ella had explained to her mother and to Helen that Matilda and Edna were not dirty creatures at allthey were very polite. She was sure that they would not cause any trouble.

Ellas mother had listened solemnly, understanding in her bright eyes. Ella found that her mother understood most things.

Quite right. Thank you, darling, shed said. Then, to Ellas relief, shed asked Helen to promise not to disturb the mice. And the housemaid had done so, albeit begrudgingly.

Now, after all that, Ella had frightened the poor dears.

Im sorry, she called to the small crack in the wall in which the mice had disappeared. Come back and play!

Edna came out first, sniffing the air cautiously. At the sight of Ella, she let out a joyful squeak and approached the little girl. Matilda followed close behind, twitching her whiskers in a friendly manner.

I will be a more careful elephant next time, Ella promised. Ella sat on the floor, and the mice crawled into her lap, snuggling against the folds of her dress. Ella smiled down at them, using her forefinger to pet the soft fur on Edna and Matildas heads.

Perhaps now would be a good time for a bedtime story, Ella suggested. She was quiet for a moment, forming a new tale in her mind. Then she began. Once upon a time, there lived a very friendly elephant...

Early the next morning, long after Ella had finished her story and put the mice to bed, and long after Ellas mother had put Ella herself to bed, the sound of singing wafted through Ellas open window. It mixed with the sounds of a bleating sheep and chirping sparrows.

Lavenders blue, dilly dilly...

Mother! Ella cried. She sprang out of bed and raced out of her bedroom, across the hall, and down the stairs to the kitchenher shortcut to the back door. She had not put on her shoes, but she didnt care. Shoes could be such a bother, anyway.

Whoa, there, the familys cook called after her. And where are you off to in such a hurry, Miss Ella?

Ella stopped, her face flushed. Why, to see Mother outside, Flora! Would you like to come?

It was a well-known fact that Ella loved nothing more than to be outdoors. She often had to be persuaded to come back inside, even when it was pouring rain or as dark as pitch. Whenever anyone from the home went out to tend to the gardening, or to feed the chickens and horses, or simply to enjoy the fresh air, Ella would jump at the opportunity to join them.

Thats all right, dear, Ive got breakfast to tend to, Flora said, gesturing to a simmering pot on the stove. But you take some water to your mother.

Flora grabbed a pitcher from the counter and poured some of its contents into a cup, then handed it off to Ella. After giving Flora a careful curtsy, Ella hurried out the door.

She found her mother next to the shepherd called James, kneeling in front of a ewe. The sheep lay on one side, bleating loudly. The rest of the flock grazed on the grass nearby.

As she heard Ella approach, Ellas mother motioned to her. Ella, come quick! Peppy is having her lamb!

Ella ran to her mothers side and gaped at the scene before her. It was miraculous and strange all at once. Trying to decide where shed be of most use, Ella moved over to Peppys head, patting her as soothingly as she could. She encouraged the sheep to drink out of the cup meant for her mother.

Ellas mother smiled and nodded approvingly as she and the shepherd continued their work. Singing seems to help, she told her daughter.

Without hesitation, Ella broke into her favorite song, the lullaby she sang with her mother every night.

Lavenders blue, dilly dilly...

Lavenders green, her mother continued.