“Then be a good girl,” said her Godmother, “and you shall go. Now, run into the garden and bring me a pumpkin.”
Cinderella went, and picked the biggest she could find; and as she carried it to her Godmother, she wondered how that pumpkin could help her go to the ball.
Her Godmother scooped out all the inside, leaving only the rind which she struck with her wand. Instantly it became a golden coach. Then she went to look at the mousetrap in which she found six mice. She bade Cinderella open the trap, and, as each mouse sprang out, she touched it with her wand. And instantly it was changed into a handsome horse.
As the Godmother was wondering out of what to make a coachman, Cinderella said: “I will go and see if there is a rat in the trap—then we can make a coachman.”
“That is a good thought,” said her Godmother, “go and see.”
Cinderella brought the trap in which were three large rats. Her Godmother chose one of the three because of his long whiskers; and when she touched him, he was instantly changed into a big coachman who had the handsomest moustaches ever seen.
Then she said to Cinderella: “Go into the garden. You will find there six lizards behind the watering-pot. Bring them to me.”
Cinderella had no sooner brought them than they were changed into six footmen in gold-laced coats, who sprang up behind the coach with the air of never having done anything else in their lives.
Then the Fairy said to Cinderella: “Here is a fine coach in which to go to the ball! Are you not glad?”
“Yes,” replied she, “but must I go in these ugly clothes?”