Рассказ про золушку на английском языке с переводом

Сказка «Золушка» на английском языке

Suddenly, a Fairy Godmother comes to the house. «Do not worry, Cinderella», — she says. She waves her magic wand. In a moment a very beautiful dress appears and there is a coach with two horses ready to take her to the ball. «But remember, — says the Fairy Godmother. — You must come back before midnight».

Cinderella is in the palace. There are many nice-looking young ladies but she is the prettiest of all. The prince dances with Cinderella all the time, but nobody knows the name of the beauty. When the clock strikes twelve, Cinderella runs away without saying goodbye. She leaves a beautiful little slipper on the stairs in a hurry.

The prince and his men travel through the kingdom looking for the beautiful lady from the ball. They come to Cinderella’s house. Cinderella’s sisters are ready to try on the little slipper. But their feet are too big. The step-mother is furious. Then Cinderella puts on the slipper. It is just right. «Now I know, — the prince says. — You are my beautiful dancer. I want you to be my wife!»

There was a big wedding party at the palace. Cinderella and prince were very happy. They had so many guests! There were the king, the queen and the Fairy Godmother. They all danced and had a lot of fun. The prince and Cinderella lived long and happily ever after.

“Не волнуйся, Золушка”, — говорит она. Она достаёт свою волшебную палочку. Через мгновение у Золушки появляется прекрасное платье и карета с двумя лошадьми, готовыми отвезти её на бал. “Но помни, — говорит фея. — Ты должна вернуться домой до полуночи”.

Золушка во дворце. Там много прекрасных молодых девушек, но она самая красивая из всех. Принц танцует с ней весь вечер. Никто не знает имени прекрасной незнакомки. Когда часы бьют двенадцать, Золушка убегает, не попрощавшись ни с кем. В спешке она оставляет на лестнице красивую маленькую туфельку.

Принц и его слуги ищут прекрасную незнакомку по всему королевству. Они приезжают в дом Золушки. Её сестры примеряют башмачок, но их ноги слишком велики. Мачеха вне себя от гнева. Тогда башмачок примеряет Золушка. Он приходится ей впору.”Теперь я знаю, —говорит принц, — ты та девушка, с которой танцевал на балу. Будь моей женой!”

Во дворце праздновали помолвку Золушки и принца. Золушка и принц были очень счастливы.У них собралось столько гостей! Там были король с королевой и добрая фея. Все танцевали и веселились. Золушка и принц жили долго и счастливо.

Источник

Сказка «Золушка» на английском языке

Сказка Золушка на английском языке расскажет вам об одной из самых добрых и милых девушек-героинь в мире сказок. Мораль сказки очень проста и доступна даже детям. В сказке вы встретите много новых английских слов.

Cinderella

Золушка

Источник

Сказка «Золушка» на английском языке с переводом

Сказка «Золушка» на английском языке также знаменита, как и на русском. Её очень любят дети, ведь именно в этом возрасте как никогда хочется верить в чудеса и доброту людей.

Самая ранняя известная версия сказки обнаружена на египетских папирусах. Главная героиня сказки — девушка по имени Родопис, родившаяся в Греции. Она была похищена пиратами, которые привезли её в Египет, где и продали в рабство. Хозяин купил ей изящные кожаные позолоченные сандалии. Пока Родопис купалась в реке, сокол (этим соколом был бог Гор) украл её сандалию и унёс фараону. Сандалия была такой маленькой и изящной, что фараон тут же объявил общенародный розыск. Когда он нашёл Родопис — Золушку — он тут же женился на ней.

«Золушка» на английском языке (короткая версия)

Cinderella

Cinderella lives with her step-mother and two bad and ugly step-sisters. She has to work all day while her sisters do nothing but play and try on new dresses and shoes. There is a ball at the prince’s palace tonight and Cinderella’s sisters are ready to go to it. Cinderella is very sad. She is not allowed to go to the ball. Suddenly, a Fairy Godmother comes to the house. «Do not worry, Cinderella», — she says. She waves her magic wand. In a moment a very beautiful dress appears and there is a coach with two horses ready to take her to the ball. «But remember, — says the Fairy Godmother. — You must come back before midnight». Cinderella is in the palace. There are many nice-looking young ladies but she is the prettiest of all. The prince dances with Cinderella all the time, but nobody knows the name of the beauty. When the clock strikes twelve, Cinderella runs away without saying goodbye. She leaves a beautiful little slipper on the stairs in a hurry. The prince and his men travel through the kingdom looking for the beautiful lady from the ball. They come to Cinderella’s house. Cinderella’s sisters are ready to try on the little slipper. But their feet are too big. The step-mother is furious. Then Cinderella puts on the slipper. It is just right. «Now I know, — the prince says. — You are my beautiful dancer. I want you to be my wife!» There was a big wedding party at the palace. Cinderella and prince were very happy. They had so many guests! There were the king, the queen and the Fairy Godmother. They all danced and had a lot of fun. The prince and Cinderella lived long and happily ever after.

Золушка (перевод)

Золушка живёт вместе с мачехой и двумя злыми и безобразными сестрами. Она должна целый день работать, а её сестры только веселятся да примеряют новые платья и туфли. Сегодня во дворце короля бал, и Золушкины сестры собираются пойти туда. Золушка очень печальна. Она не может пойти на бал. Неожиданно в дом приходит добрая фея. “Не волнуйся, Золушка”, — говорит она. Она достаёт свою волшебную палочку. Через мгновение у Золушки появляется прекрасное платье и карета с двумя лошадьми, готовыми отвезти её на бал. “Но помни, — говорит фея. — Ты должна вернуться домой до полуночи”. Золушка во дворце. Там много прекрасных молодых девушек, но она самая красивая из всех. Принц танцует с ней весь вечер. Никто не знает имени прекрасной незнакомки. Когда часы бьют двенадцать, Золушка убегает, не попрощавшись ни с кем. В спешке она оставляет на лестнице красивую маленькую туфельку. Принц и его слуги ищут прекрасную незнакомку по всему королевству. Они приезжают в дом Золушки. Её сестры примеряют башмачок, но их ноги слишком велики. Мачеха вне себя от гнева. Тогда башмачок примеряет Золушка. Он приходится ей впору. ”Теперь я знаю, —говорит принц, — ты та девушка, с которой танцевал на балу. Будь моей женой!” Во дворце праздновали помолвку Золушки и принца. Золушка и принц были очень счастливы. У них собралось столько гостей! Там были король с королевой и добрая фея. Все танцевали и веселились. Золушка и принц жили долго и счастливо.

Сказка «Золушка» в редакции Шарля Перро (английский)

Part 1

Once there was a gentleman who married for his second wife the proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. She had by a former husband (бывший муж) two daughters of her own humor (своего нрава), who were, indeed, exactly like her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, but of unparalleled (не имеющий себе равных) goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world.

No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the mother-in-law began to show herself in her true colors (мачеха начала показывать себя в истинном свете). She could not bear the good qualities of this pretty girl, and the less because they made her own daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in meanest work of the house: she scoured the dishes, tables, etc., and scrubbed madam’s chamber (уст.: спальня) and those of misses, her daughters; she lay up in a sorry garret, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, with floors all inlaid (с инкрустированным полом), upon beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking-glasses so large that they might see themselves at their full length from head to foot.

The poor girl bore all patiently and dared not tell her father, who would have rattled her off; for his wife governed him entirely. When she had done her work she used to go into the chimney-corner and sit down among cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called a cinder maid; but the youngest, who was not so rude and uncivil as the eldest, called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, notwithstanding her mean apparel (несмотря на ее жалкий наряд), was a hundred times handsomer than her sisters, though they were always dressed very richly.

Part 2

‘For my part,’ said the eldest, ‘I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimming.’

‘And I,’ said the youngest, ‘shall have my usual petticoat; but then, to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau (золотое манто с цветами) and my diamond stomacher (корсаж), which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world.’

They sent for the best tire-woman (камеристка) they could get to make up their head-dresses and adjust their double pinners (чепчик с лентами), and they had their red brushes and patches (вуаль) from Mademoiselle de la Poche.

Cinderella was likewise called up to them to be consulted in all these matters, for she had excellent notions and advised them always for the best, nay (мало того), and offered her services to dress their heads, which they were very willing she should do. As she was doing this they said to her:

‘Cinderella, would you not be glad to go to the ball?’

‘Alas!’ said she, ‘you only jeer me. It is not for such as I am to go thither (уст.: туда).’

‘Thou art (уст.: = you are) in the right of it,’ replied they. ‘It would make the people laugh to see a cinder wench at a ball.’

Part 3

Any one but Cinderella would have dressed their heads awry, but she was very good and dressed them perfectly well. They were almost two days without eating, so much they were transported with joy (они не помнили себя от радости). They broke above a dozen of laces in trying to be laced up close that they might have a fine, slender shape, and they were continually at their looking-glass. At last the happy day came. They went to Court (дворец), and Cinderella followed them with her eyes as long as she could, and when she had lost sight of them she fell a crying.

Золушка танцует на царском балу

Her Godmother, who saw her all in tears, asked her what was the matter.

‘I wish I could – I wish I could –‘

She was not able to speak the rest being interrupted by her tears and sobbing.

This Godmother of hers, who was a fairy, said to her: ‘Thou wishest thou could’st go to the ball. (Уст.: You wish you could go to the ball) Is it not so?’

‘Yes,’ cried Cinderella, with a great sigh.

Cinderella went immediately to gather the finest she could get and brought it to her Godmother, not being able to imagine how this pumpkin could make her go to the ball. Her Godmother scooped out all the inside of it, having left nothing but the rind; which done, she struck it with her wand, and the pumpkin was instantly turned into a fine coach, gilded all over with gold.

Part 4

She then went to look into her mousetrap, where she found six mice all alive, and ordered Cinderella to lift up a little the trapdoor, when, giving each mouse as it went out a little tap with her wand, the mouse was that moment turned into a fine horse, which altogether made a very fine set of six horses (шестерка лошадей) of a beautiful mouse-colored dapple-grey (серый в яблоках). Being at a loss for a coachman, Cinderella said:

‘I will go and see if there is never a rat in the rattrap—we may make a coachman of him.’

‘Thou art (уст.: you are) in the right,’ replied her Godmother. ‘Go and look.’

Cinderella brought the trap to her, and in it there were three huge rats. The fairy made choice of one of the three which had the largest beard, and having touched him with her wand he was turned into a fat, jolly coachman, who had the smartest whiskers eyes ever beheld (у которого была самая модная бородка на свете). After that she said to her:

‘Go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering-pot. Bring them to me.’

She had no sooner done so but her Godmother turned them into six footmen (лакеев), who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their liveries all bedaubed with gold and silver (в своих ливреях, увешанных золотом и серебром), and clung as close behind each other as if they had done nothing else their whole lives (как будто всю свою жизнь они только этим и занимались). The fairy then said to Cinderella:

‘Well, you see here an equipage (свита) fit to go to the ball with. Are you not pleased with it?’

‘Oh! yes,’ cried she; ‘but must I go thither (уст.: there) as I am, in these dirty rags?’

Part 5

Her Godmother only just touched her with her wand, and at the same instant her clothes were turned into cloth-of-gold and silver, all beset with jewels. Ah! who can describe a robe (женское платье особого покроя) made by the fairies? It was white as snow, and as dazzling; round the hem hung a fringe of diamonds (по краю отделано бриллиантами), sparkling like dewdrops in the sunshine. The lace about the throat and arms could only have been spun by fairy spiders. Surely it was a dream! Cinderella put her daintily gloved hand (изящно затянутую в перчатку руку) to her throat, and softly touched the pearls that encircled her neck.

Золушка примеряет туфельку

‘Come, child,’ said the Godmother, ‘or you will be late.’

As Cinderella moved, the firelight shone upon her dainty shoes.

‘They are of diamonds,’ she said.

‘No,’ answered her Godmother, smiling; ‘they are better than that – they are of glass, made by the fairies. And now, child, go, and enjoy yourself to your heart’s content.’

But her Godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay till after midnight, telling her at the same time that if she stayed one moment longer the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes become just as they were before.

She promised her Godmother she would not fail of leaving the ball before midnight, and then away she drives, scarce able to contain herself for joy (едва владея собой от радости). The King’s son, who was told that a great Princess, whom nobody knew, was come, ran out to receive her. He gave her his hand as she alighted out of the coach; and led her into the hall among all the company. There was immediately a profound silence, they left off dancing, and the violins ceased to play, so attentive was every one to contemplate the singular beauties of the unknown newcomer. Nothing was then heard but a confused noise of ‘Ha! how handsome she is! Ha! how handsome she is!’

Part 7

The next day the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, but dressed more magnificently (еще более великолепно) than before. The King’s son was always by her, and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her, to whom all this was so far from being tiresome that she quite forgot what her Godmother had recommended to her, so that she at last counted the clock striking twelve when she took it to be no more than eleven. She then rose up and fled as nimble as a deer. The Prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which the Prince took up most carefully. She got home, but quite out of breath, and in her old clothes, having nothing left her of all her finery (пышный наряд) but one of the little slippers, fellow to (парный к) that she dropped. The guards at the palace gate were asked if they had not seen a Princess go out.

They said they had seen nobody go out but a young girl, very meanly dressed, and who had more of the air of a poor country girl than a gentlewoman (леди).

When the two sisters returned from the ball Cinderella asked them if they had been well diverted (книжн.: развлекать) and if the beautiful Princess had been there.

They told her yes, but that she hurried away immediately when the clock struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, which the King’s son had taken up; that he had done nothing but look at her all the time at the ball, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person who owned the glass slipper.

Part 8

What they said was very true, for a few days after the King’s son caused it to be proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her whose foot this slipper would just fit. They whom he employed began to try it upon the Princesses, then the Duchesses (среди герцогинь) and all the Court (при Дворе), but in vain. It was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to thrust their feet into the slipper (которые делали все, что только могли, чтобы засунуть ногу в туфельку), but they could not effect it.

Золушка и Принц играют свадьбу

On the following morning there was a great noise of trumpets and drums, and a procession (процессия) passed through the town, at the head of which rode the King’s son. Behind him came a herald (глашатай), bearing a velvet cushion (подушечку), upon which rested a little glass slipper. The herald blew a blast upon the trumpet (затрубил в трубу), and then read a proclamation saying that the King’s son would wed any lady in the land who could fit the slipper upon her foot, if she could produce another to match it.

Of course, the sisters tried to squeeze their feet into the slipper, but it was of no use (но это было бесполезно) – they were much too large. Then Cinderella shyly begged that she might try. How the sisters laughed with scorn when the Prince knelt to fit the slipper on the cinder maid’s foot; but what was their surprise when it slipped on with the greatest ease, and the next moment Cinderella produced the other from her pocket! Once more (еще через мгновение) she stood in the slippers, and once more the sisters saw before them the lovely Princess who was to be the Prince’s bride. For at the touch of the magic shoes the little gray frock (платье) disappeared forever, and in place of it she wore the beautiful robe the fairy Godmother had given to her.

The sisters hung their heads with sorrow and vexation (досадой); but kind little Cinderella put her arms round their necks, kissed them, and forgave them for all their unkindness, so that they could not help but love her.

The Prince could not bear to part from his little love again, so he carried her back to the palace in his grand coach, and they were married that very day (в тот же день). Cinderella’s stepsisters were present at the feast, but in the place of honor sat the fairy Godmother.

So the poor little cinder maid married the Prince, and in time they came to be King and Queen, and lived happily ever after.

Источник

Здесь вы можете бесплатно прочитать сказку: Шарль Перро/ Charles Perrault «Золушка/ Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper».

На английском языке

Cinderella or the Little Glass Slipper

Once upon a time there was a gentleman who married, for his second wife, the proudest and most haughty woman that ever was seen. She had two daughters of her own, who were, indeed, exactly like her in all things. The gentleman had also a young daughter, of rare goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took from her mother, who was the best creature in the world.

The wedding was scarcely over, when the stepmother’s bad temper began to show itself. She could not bear the goodness of this young girl, because it made her own daughters appear the more odious. The stepmother gave her the meanest work in the house to do; she had to scour the dishes, tables, etc., and to scrub the floors and clean out the bedrooms. The poor girl had to sleep in the garret, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms with inlaid floors, upon beds of the very newest fashion, and where they had looking-glasses so large that they might see themselves at their full length. The poor girl bore all patiently, and dared not complain to her father, who would have scolded her if she had done so, for his wife governed him entirely.

When she had done her work, she used to go into the chimney corner, and sit down among the cinders, hence she was called Cinderwench. The younger sister of the two, who was not so rude and uncivil as the elder, called her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, in spite of her mean apparel, was a hundred times more handsome than her sisters, though they were always richly dressed.

It happened that the King’s son gave a ball, and invited to it all persons of fashion. Our young misses were also invited, for they cut a very grand figure among the people of the country-side. They were highly delighted with the invitation, and wonderfully busy in choosing the gowns, petticoats, and head-dresses which might best become them. This made Cinderella’s lot still harder, for it was she who ironed her sisters’ linen and plaited their ruffles. They talked all day long of nothing but how they should be dressed.

«For my part,» said the elder, «I will wear my red velvet suit with French trimmings.»

«And I,» said the younger, «shall wear my usual skirt; but then, to make amends for that I will put on my gold-flowered mantle, and my diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the world.» They sent for the best hairdressers they could get to make up their hair in fashionable style, and bought patches for their cheeks. Cinderella was consulted in all these matters, for she had good taste. She advised them always for the best, and even offered her services to dress their hair, which they were very willing she should do.

As she was doing this, they said to her:—

«Cinderella, would you not be glad to go to the ball?»

«Young ladies,» she said, «you only jeer at me; it is not for such as I am to go there.»

«You are right,» they replied; «people would laugh to see a Cinderwench at a ball.»

Any one but Cinderella would have dressed their hair awry, but she was good-natured, and arranged it perfectly well. They were almost two days without eating, so much were they transported with joy. They broke above a dozen laces in trying to lace themselves tight, that they might have a fine, slender shape, and they were continually at their looking-glass.

At last the happy day came; they went to Court, and Cinderella followed them with her eyes as long as she could, and when she had lost sight of them, she fell a-crying.

Her godmother, who saw her all in tears, asked her what was the matter.

«I wish I could—I wish I could—» but she could not finish for sobbing.

Her godmother, who was a fairy, said to her, «You wish you could go to the ball; is it not so?»

«Alas, yes,» said Cinderella, sighing.

«Well,» said her godmother, «be but a good girl, and I will see that you go.» Then she took her into her chamber, and said to her, «Run into the garden, and bring me a pumpkin.»

Cinderella went at once to gather the finest she could get, and brought it to her godmother, not being able to imagine how this pumpkin could help her to go to the ball. Her godmother scooped out all the inside of it, leaving nothing but the rind. Then she struck it with her wand, and the pumpkin was instantly turned into a fine gilded coach.

She then went to look into the mouse-trap, where she found six mice, all alive. She ordered Cinderella to lift the trap-door, when, giving each mouse, as it went out, a little tap with her wand, it was that moment turned into a fine horse, and the six mice made a fine set of six horses of a beautiful mouse-colored, dapple gray.

Being at a loss for a coachman, Cinderella said, «I will go and see if there is not a rat in the rat-trap—we may make a coachman of him.»

«You are right,» replied her godmother; «go and look.»

Cinderella brought the rat-trap to her, and in it there were three huge rats. The fairy chose the one which had the largest beard, and, having touched him with her wand, he was turned into a fat coachman with the finest mustache and whiskers ever seen.

After that, she said to her:—

«Go into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the watering-pot; bring them to me.»

She had no sooner done so than her godmother turned them into six footmen, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their liveries all trimmed with gold and silver, and they held on as if they had done nothing else their whole lives.

The fairy then said to Cinderella, «Well, you see here a carriage fit to go to the ball in; are you not pleased with it?»

«Oh, yes!» she cried; «but must I go as I am in these rags?»

Her godmother simply touched her with her wand, and, at the same moment, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all decked with jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of the prettiest glass slippers in the whole world. Being thus attired, she got into the carriage, her godmother commanding her, above all things, not to stay till after midnight, and telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes would become just as they were before.

She promised her godmother she would not fail to leave the ball before midnight. She drove away, scarce able to contain herself for joy. The King’s son, who was told that a great princess, whom nobody knew, was come, ran out to receive her. He gave her his hand as she alighted from the coach, and led her into the hall where the company were assembled. There was at once a profound silence; every one left off dancing, and the violins ceased to play, so attracted was every one by the singular beauties of the unknown newcomer. Nothing was then heard but a confused sound of voices saying:—

«Ha! how beautiful she is! Ha! how beautiful she is!»

The King himself, old as he was, could not keep his eyes off her, and he told the Queen under his breath that it was a long time since he had seen so beautiful and lovely a creature.

All the ladies were busy studying her clothes and head-dress, so that they might have theirs made next day after the same pattern, provided they could meet with such fine materials and able hands to make them.

The King’s son conducted her to the seat of honor, and afterwards took her out to dance with him. She danced so very gracefully that they all admired her more and more. A fine collation was served, but the young Prince ate not a morsel, so intently was he occupied with her.

She went and sat down beside her sisters, showing them a thousand civilities, and giving them among other things part of the oranges and citrons with which the Prince had regaled her. This very much surprised them, for they had not been presented to her.

Cinderella heard the clock strike a quarter to twelve. She at once made her adieus to the company and hastened away as fast as she could.

As soon as she got home, she ran to find her godmother, and, after having thanked her, she said she much wished she might go to the ball the next day, because the King’s son had asked her to do so. As she was eagerly telling her godmother all that happened at the ball, her two sisters knocked at the door; Cinderella opened it. «How long you have stayed!» said she, yawning, rubbing her eyes, and stretching herself as if she had been just awakened. She had not, however, had any desire to sleep since they went from home.

«If you had been at the ball,» said one of her sisters, «you would not have been tired with it. There came thither the finest princess, the most beautiful ever was seen with mortal eyes. She showed us a thousand civilities, and gave us oranges and citrons.»

Cinderella did not show any pleasure at this. Indeed, she asked them the name of the princess; but they told her they did not know it, and that the King’s son was very much concerned, and would give all the world to know who she was. At this Cinderella, smiling, replied:—

«Was she then so very beautiful? How fortunate you have been! Could I not see her? Ah! dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me your yellow suit of clothes which you wear every day.»

«Ay, to be sure!» cried Miss Charlotte; «lend my clothes to such a dirty Cinderwench as thou art! I should be out of my mind to do so.»

Cinderella, indeed, expected such an answer and was very glad of the refusal; for she would have been sadly troubled if her sister had lent her what she jestingly asked for. The next day the two sisters went to the ball, and so did Cinderella, but dressed more magnificently than before. The King’s son was always by her side, and his pretty speeches to her never ceased. These by no means annoyed the young lady. Indeed, she quite forgot her godmother’s orders to her, so that she heard the clock begin to strike twelve when she thought it could not be more than eleven. She then rose up and fled, as nimble as a deer. The Prince followed, but could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which the Prince took up most carefully. She got home, but quite out of breath, without her carriage, and in her old clothes, having nothing left her of all her finery but one of the little slippers, fellow to the one she had dropped. The guards at the palace gate were asked if they had not seen a princess go out, and they replied they had seen nobody go out but a young girl, very meanly dressed, and who had more the air of a poor country girl than of a young lady.

When the two sisters returned from the ball, Cinderella asked them if they had had a pleasant time, and if the fine lady had been there. They told her, yes; but that she hurried away the moment it struck twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass slippers, the prettiest in the world, which the King’s son had taken up. They said, further, that he had done nothing but look at her all the time, and that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful owner of the glass slipper.

What they said was true; for a few days after the King’s son caused it to be proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her whose foot this slipper would fit exactly. They began to try it on the princesses, then on the duchesses, and then on all the ladies of the Court; but in vain. It was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could to thrust a foot into the slipper, but they could not succeed. Cinderella, who saw this, and knew her slipper, said to them, laughing:—

«Let me see if it will not fit me.»

Her sisters burst out a-laughing, and began to banter her. The gentleman who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella, and, finding her very handsome, said it was but just that she should try, and that he had orders to let every lady try it on.

He obliged Cinderella to sit down, and, putting the slipper to her little foot, he found it went on very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made of wax. The astonishment of her two sisters was great, but it was still greater when Cinderella pulled out of her pocket the other slipper and put it on her foot. Thereupon, in came her godmother, who, having touched Cinderella’s clothes with her wand, made them more magnificent than those she had worn before.

And now her two sisters found her to be that beautiful lady they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet to beg pardon for all their ill treatment of her. Cinderella took them up, and, as she embraced them, said that she forgave them with all her heart, and begged them to love her always.

She was conducted to the young Prince, dressed as she was. He thought her more charming than ever, and, a few days after, married her. Cinderella, who was as good as she was beautiful, gave her two sisters a home in the palace, and that very same day married them to two great lords of the Court.

На русском языке

Золушка

Жил-был один почтенный и знатный человек. Первая жена его умерла, и он женился во второй раз, да на такой сварливой и высокомерной женщине, какой свет еще не видывал.

У нее были две дочери, очень похожие на свою матушку и лицом, и умом, и характером.

И вот новая хозяйка вошла в дом. Тут-то и показала она свой нрав. Все было ей не по вкусу, но больше всего невзлюбила она свою падчерицу. Девушка была так хороша, что мачехины дочки рядом с нею казались еще хуже.

Спала она на чердаке, под самой крышей, на колючей соломенной подстилке. А у обеих сестриц были комнаты с паркетными полами цветного дерева, с кроватями, разубранными по последней моде, и с большими зеркалами, в которых модою было увидеть себя с головы до ног.

Бедная девушка молча сносила все обиды и не решалась пожаловаться даже отцу. Мачеха так прибрала его к рукам, что он теперь на все смотрел ее глазами и, наверно, только побранил бы дочку за неблагодарность и непослушание.

Вечером, окончив работу, она забиралась в уголок возле камина и сидела там на ящике с золой. Поэтому сестры, а за ними и все в доме прозвали ее Золушкой.

А все-таки Золушка в своем стареньком платьице, перепачканном золою, была во сто раз милее, чем ее сестрицы, разодетые в бархат и шелк.

И вот как-то раз сын короля той страны устроил большой бал и созвал на него всех знатных людей с женами и дочерьми.

Золушкины сестры тоже получили приглашение на бал. Они очень обрадовались и сейчас же принялись выбирать наряды и придумывать, как бы причесаться, чтобы удивить всех гостей и понравиться принцу.

У бедной Золушки работы и заботы стало еще больше, чем всегда. Ей пришлось гладить сестрам платья, крахмалить их юбки, плоить воротники и оборки.

В доме только и разговору было, что о нарядах.

Послали за искуснейшей модисткой, чтобы она соорудила им чепчики с двойной оборкой, а мушки купили у самой лучшей мастерицы в городе.

Сестры то и дело подзывали Золушку и спрашивали у нее, какой выбрать гребень, ленту или пряжку. Они знали, что Золушка лучше понимает, что красиво и что некрасиво.

Никто не умел так искусно, как она, приколоть кружева или завить локоны.

— Ах, что вы, сестрицы! Вы смеетесь надо мной! Разве меня пустят во дворец в этом платье и в этих башмаках!

— Что правда, то правда. Вот была бы умора, если бы такая замарашка явилась на бал!

Другая на месте Золушки причесала бы сестриц как можно хуже. Но Золушка была добра: она причесала их как можно лучше.

За два дня до бала сестрицы от волнения перестали обедать и ужинать. Они ни на минуту не отходили от зеркала и разорвали больше дюжины шнурков, пытаясь потуже затянуть свои талии и сделаться потоньше и постройнее.

И вот наконец долгожданный день настал. Мачеха и сестры уехали.

Золушка долго смотрела им вслед, а когда их карета исчезла за поворотом, она закрыла лицо руками и горько заплакала.

Ее крестная, которая как раз в это время зашла навестить бедную девушку, застала ее в слезах.

Золушка побежала на огород, выбрала самую большую тыкву и принесла крестной. Ей очень хотелось спросить, каким образом простая тыква поможет ей попасть на королевский бал. но она не решилась.

А фея, не говоря ни слова, разрезала тыкву и вынула из нее всю мякоть. Потом она прикоснулась к ее желтой толстой корке своей волшебной палочкой, и пустая тыква сразу превратилась в прекрасную резную карету, позолоченную от крыши до колес.

Затем фея послала Золушку в кладовую за мышеловкой. В мышеловке оказалось полдюжины живых мышей.

Фея велела Золушке приоткрыть дверцу и выпустить на волю всех мышей по очереди, одну за другой. Едва только мышь выбегала из своей темницы, фея прикасалась к ней палочкой, и от этого прикосновения обыкновенная серая мышка сейчас же превращалась в серого, мышастого коня.

Не прошло и минуты, как перед Золушкой уже стояла великолепная упряжка из шести статных коней в серебряной сбруе.

Не хватало только кучера.

Заметив, что фея призадумалась, Золушка робко спросила:

— Что, если посмотреть, не попалась ли в крысоловку крыса? Может быть, она годится в кучера?

Золушка принесла крысоловку, из которой выглядывали три большие крысы.

Не успела Золушка вытряхнуть ящериц из фартука, как фея превратила их в выездных лакеев, одетых в зеленые ливреи, украшенные золотым галуном.

Все шестеро проворно вскочили на запятки кареты с таким важным видом, словно всю свою жизнь служили выездными лакеями и никогда не были ящерицами.

Фея ничего не ответила. Она только слегка прикоснулась к Золушкиному платью своей волшебной палочкой, и старое платье превратилось в чудесный наряд из серебряной и золотой парчи, весь усыпанный драгоценными камнями.

Последним подарком феи были туфельки из чистейшего хрусталя, какие и не снились ни одной девушке.

Когда Золушка была уже совсем готова, фея усадила ее в карету и строго-настрого приказала возвратиться домой до полуночи.

Принц, которому доложили, что на бал приехала прекрасная, но никому не известная принцесса, сам выбежал встречать ее. Он подал ей руку, помог выйти из кареты и повел в зал, где уже находились король с королевой и придворные.

Все сразу стихло. Скрипки замолкли. И музыканты, и гости невольно загляделись на незнакомую красавицу, которая приехала на бал позже всех.

Даже король, который был очень стар и больше дремал, чем смотрел по сторонам, и тот открыл глаза, поглядел на Золушку и сказал королеве вполголоса, что давно уже не видел такой обворожительной особы.

Придворные дамы были заняты только тем, что рассматривали ее платье и головной убор, чтобы завтра же заказать себе что-нибудь похожее, если только им удастся найти таких же искусных мастеров и такую же прекрасную ткань.

Принц усадил свою гостью на самое почетное место, а чуть только заиграла музыка, подошел к ней и пригласил на танец.

Она танцевала так легко и грациозно, что все залюбовались ею еще больше, чем прежде.

Это им очень польстило. Они и не ожидали такого внимания со стороны незнакомой принцессы.

Но вот, беседуя с ними, Золушка вдруг услышала, что дворцовые часы бьют одиннадцать часов и три четверти. Она встала, поклонилась всем и пошла к выходу так быстро, что никто не успел догнать ее.

Вернувшись из дворца, она еще сумела до приезда мачехи и сестер забежать к волшебнице и поблагодарить ее за счастливый вечер.

И она рассказала крестной обо всем, что было во дворце.

Едва только Золушка переступила порог и надела свой старый передник и деревянные башмаки, как в дверь постучали. Это вернулись с бала мачеха и сестры.

А младшая прибавила:

— Принц, кажется, готов отдать полжизни, чтобы только узнать, кто она такая. Золушка улыбнулась.

Золушка не ждала другого ответа и нисколько не огорчилась. В самом деле: что бы стала она делать, если бы Жавотта вдруг расщедрилась и вздумала одолжить ей свое платье!

Принц не отходил от нее ни на минуту. Он был так приветлив, говорил такие приятные вещи, что Золушка забыла обо всем на свете, даже о том, что ей надо уехать вовремя, и спохватилась только тогда, когда часы стали бить полночь.

Она поднялась с места и убежала быстрее лани.

Принц бросился за ней, но ее и след простыл. Только на ступеньке лестницы лежала маленькая хрустальная туфелька. Принц бережно поднял ее и приказал расспросить привратников, не видел ли кто-нибудь из них, куда уехала прекрасная принцесса. Но никто никакой принцессы не видал. Правда, привратники заметили, что мимо них пробежала какая-то бедно одетая девушка, но она скорее была похожа на нищенку, чем на принцессу.

Тем временем Золушка, задыхаясь от усталости, прибежала домой. У нее не было больше ни кареты, ни лакеев. Ее бальный наряд снова превратился в старенькое, поношенное платьице, и от всего ее великолепия только и осталось, что маленькая хрустальная туфелька, точно такая же, как та, которую она потеряла на дворцовой лестнице.

Когда обе сестрицы вернулись домой, Золушка спросила у них, весело ли им было нынче на балу и приезжала ли опять во дворец вчерашняя красавица.

Сестры наперебой стали рассказывать, что принцесса и на этот раз была на балу, но убежала, чуть только часы начали бить двенадцать.

И это была правда. Через несколько дней принц приказал объявить во всеуслышание, под звуки труб и фанфар, что девушка, которой придется впору хрустальная туфелька, станет его женой.

Разумеется, сначала туфельку стали мерить принцессам, потом герцогиням, потом придворным дамам, но все было напрасно: она была тесна и герцогиням, и принцессам, и придворным дамам.

Наконец очередь дошла и до сестер Золушки.

Ах, как старались обе сестрицы натянуть маленькую туфельку на свои большие ноги! Но она не лезла им даже на кончики пальцев. Золушка, которая с первого взгляда узнала свою туфельку, улыбаясь, смотрела на эти напрасные попытки.

Сестрицы так и залились злым смехом. Но придворный кавалер, который примерял туфельку, внимательно посмотрел на Золушку и, заметив, что она очень красива, сказал:

— Я получил приказание от принца примерить туфельку всем девушкам в городе. Позвольте вашу ножку, сударыня!

Она дотронулась своей волшебной палочкой до бедного платья Золушки, и оно стало еще пышнее и красивее, чем было накануне на балу.

Ее отвезли во дворец к молодому принцу, который нашел, что она стала еще прелестнее, чем была прежде.

А через несколько дней сыграли веселую свадьбу.

Источник