The Modern Cinderella

By Brinda Chakraverty

There once lived a penurious ménage;

Three sisters and their step-mother with no grudge…

Everyday they worked hard with a smile

Not knowing what awaited them awhile!

The three sisters as though were a part of each other

Always helped and cared happily for one another

If one went sad the others would be too,

This trio of sisters; existed really few!

One bright day, there came a huge surprise

The King’s soldiers came in the town with their allies;

Boom boom! They rang the announcement bell-

“The prince is arranging a ball, with all the mademoiselles!”

The girls of the town went berserk with happiness and glee;

All shouted out with joy “It’s definitely going to be me!”

In the broken-down house, the sisters looked delighted;

They were dancing in joy; they were also invited!!

A sudden thought struck their mind;

A solution they tried but couldn’t find-

The Prince had to choose one and not three;

What would happen then? Who would it be?

Cinderella immediately spoke up for Anastasia to go,

Anastasia declined the offer with a straight no.

“I need to be here to look after mother” she said

And asked Drizella and Cinderella to go instead!

Drizella declined the offer as well;

“Cinderella is the beautiful of all I can tell!

I would like to stay and assist you-”

Cinderella agreed to what the sisters felt true…

The night arrived and Cinderella didn’t know what to do;

She didn’t have a gown, shoes or a carriage or two!

Tears from her eyes fell on the ground,

Looking around, a magical fairy she found!

The magical fairy consoled her; telling not to worry,

Instead took out her wand and said a spell in a hurry…

Cinderella found decked up in front of the castle-

All girls dancing with hairs adorned with a tassel.

Cinderella entered the chamber gracefully and with poise,

The Prince at once noticed her amidst all the noise-

He stepped down to dance and to ask for her hand,

“Will you be my princess and grace this land?”

Cinderella replied with a certain condition-

She didn’t care for position or recognition,

She asked the prince if her family could also come,

She didn’t want to leave them alone in the slum!

The Prince hesitated and denied her request,

The very ambiance Cinderella came to detest-

Her self-respect and ego were really hurt

She decided to go back before she could revert.

Cinderella went back to her sisters-

With her head held high she whispers,

It’s not the kingdom or the prince-

“It’s the family bonding, I am convinced!”

By Brinda Chakraverty