Perrault's Cinderella

Perrault’s version of Cinderella is a French fairy tale where a kind young woman, mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, receives aid from her fairy godmother to attend a royal ball. She is transformed with a beautiful dress and carriage, but must leave by midnight when the magic ends. The prince falls in love with her, but she flees, leaving her slipper behind. He searches for her using the slipper, and ultimately finds her, revealing her true identity and ensuring her happiness. This version emphasizes themes of kindness, virtue, and graceful endurance.