Cinderella

Tonight's Bedtime Tale for children is a reading of the age old fairytale, Cinderella, by Charles Perrault. This heartfelt tale, that teaches the moral of kindness, is narrated by Kim Newing and includes gentle background music. Allow yourself to get comfortable and slip into an effortless slumber.

Transcript

Hi,

My name is Kim.

I'm a mumma to three little girls,

And they love the book I'm about to read you.

It's called Cinderella.

Have you heard it before?

It's nice to be able to rest in bed and listen to a beautiful story,

Isn't it?

I wonder how comfortable you are right now.

Maybe you need to snuggle down a little further,

Pull up your blanket,

Or just move until you feel good.

Take your time.

I'm in no hurry.

That's right.

Now before I begin reading,

I wonder if you'd like to try a little magic breath with me.

Do you know what magic breath is?

It's when we use our amazing little minds to imagine breathing in a colour right to our bellies.

The colour helps us to feel restful.

And you know what's great about this?

You get to choose any colour you like.

Any colour that feels safe and warm and relaxing for you.

Maybe it's a light blue or a bright pink with polka dots.

Maybe a shiny golden light.

Maybe something entirely different.

Whatever you choose,

It's your colour and it's just perfect.

Let's do this together.

Imagine now your beautiful colour as a light sitting out in front of you.

Just as if you could breathe in that light to fill your chest and belly.

As you breathe in,

Imagine the colour flowing into your body and beginning to feel safe,

Light,

Happy.

That's right.

Good job.

Now as you breathe,

Notice how you begin to feel relaxed.

Keep breathing,

My darling.

Finding your own natural rhythm as your colour moves gently in and out.

Easily,

Restfully.

Your magic light is beginning to fill your beautiful little body from the top of your head to the tip of your toes with calm,

Gentle peace.

It feels nice,

Doesn't it?

It's okay if you get a little muddled up or if you start thinking of other things.

That's normal and it happens to everyone from time to time.

Just remember,

Come back to your magic breath,

Imagine your beautiful colour and begin to feel safe and calm again.

If you haven't already done so,

You can go ahead now and close down your eyes.

It's the perfect time for that.

Feels nice,

Doesn't it?

Ah,

We're preparing now to listen to a beautiful story about a young girl and her very mean stepsisters.

It's a good book.

With a happy ending.

You're not going to fall asleep too quickly,

Are you?

I wouldn't want to suggest this wonderful tale would send you off to a deep sleep too fast.

Are you ready now?

That's good.

Me too.

So let's begin.

Once upon a time,

A girl named Cinderella lived with her stepmother and two stepsisters.

Poor Cinderella had to work hard all day long so the others could rest.

It was she who had to wake up each morning when it was still dark and cold to start the fire.

It was she who had to go to bed early.

It was she who cooked the meals.

It was she who kept the fire going.

The poor girl could not stay clean from all the ashes and cinders by the fire.

What a mess,

Her two stepsisters laughed,

And that is why they called her Cinderella.

One day,

Big news came to town.

The king and queen were going to have a ball.

It was time for the prince to find his bride.

All of the young ladies in the land were invited to come.

They were wild with joy.

They would wear their most beautiful gown and fix their hair extra nice.

Maybe the prince would like them.

At Cinderella's house,

She now had extra work to do.

She had to make two brand new gowns for her stepsisters.

Faster,

Shouted one stepsister.

You call that a dress?

Screamed the other.

Oh dear,

Said Cinderella.

When can I?

The stepmother marched into the room.

When can you what?

Well,

Said the girl,

When will I have time to make my own dress for the ball?

You?

Yelled the stepmother.

Who said you were going to the ball?

What a laugh,

Said one stepsister.

Such a mess,

They pointed at Cinderella.

All of them laughed.

Cinderella said to herself,

When they look at me,

Maybe they see a mess,

But I am not that way,

And if I could,

I would go to the ball.

Soon the time came for the stepmother and stepsisters to leave for the party.

Their fine carriage came to the door.

The stepmother and stepsisters hopped inside,

And they were off.

Goodbye,

Said Cinderella.

Have a good time.

But her stepmother and stepsisters did not turn around to see her.

Ah me,

Said Cinderella sadly.

The carriage rode down the street.

She said aloud,

I wish I could go to the ball too.

And then,

Poof,

All of a sudden,

In front of her was a fairy.

You called,

Said the fairy.

Did I,

Said Cinderella.

Who are you?

Why,

I'm your fairy godmother,

Of course.

I know your wish,

And I have come to grant it.

But,

Said Cinderella,

My wish is impossible.

Excuse me,

Said the fairy godmother in a huff.

Did I not just show up out of thin air?

Well,

Yes,

You did,

Said Cinderella.

Then let me be the one to say what is possible or not.

Well,

I think I know I want to go to the ball too.

She looked down at her dirty clothes.

But look at me.

Well,

You do look a bit of a mess,

Child,

Said the fairy godmother.

Even if I had something nice to wear,

Said the girl,

I would have no way to get there.

Dear me,

All of that is possible,

Said the fairy.

With that,

She tapped her wand on Cinderella's head.

At once,

Cinderella was all clean.

She was dressed in a beautiful blue gown.

Her hair was set up high on her head,

Inside a golden band.

Oh,

This is wonderful,

Said Cinderella.

Who said I was done,

Said the fairy godmother.

She tapped her wand again.

At once,

A beautiful carriage came to be with a driver and four white horses.

Am I dreaming,

Said Cinderella,

Looking around her.

It is as real as real can be,

Said the fairy godmother.

But there is one thing you must know.

Yes,

What is it?

All of this lasts only to midnight.

Tonight,

At the stroke of midnight,

It will all be over.

Everything will go back to how it was before.

Then I must be sure to leave the ball before midnight,

Said Cinderella.

Good idea,

Said the fairy godmother.

She stepped back.

My work is done.

You look fabulous.

And with that,

The fairy godmother was gone.

Cinderella looked around her.

Did that even happen?

But there she stood in a fine gown with a golden band in her hair.

And there were her driver and four horses,

Waiting.

Coming,

Called the driver.

Cinderella stepped into the carriage,

And they were off.

Over at the ball,

The prince did not know what to think.

Why do you have that sad look on your face?

The queen said to her son.

Look around you.

You could not ask for finer maidens than these.

I know,

Mother,

Said the prince.

Yet he knew something was wrong.

He had met many of the young women,

Yet after he said hello,

One by one,

He could find nothing more to say.

Look,

Someone pointed to the front door.

Who is that?

All the heads turned.

Who was that lovely maiden stepping down the stairs?

She held her head tall and looked as if she belonged,

But no one knew her.

There is something about her,

Said the prince to himself.

I will ask her to dance.

And he walked over to Cinderella.

Have we met?

Said the prince.

I am pleased to meet you now,

Said Cinderella with a bow.

I feel as if I know you,

Said the prince.

But of course that is impossible.

Many things are possible,

Said Cinderella,

If you wish them to be true.

The prince felt a leap in his heart.

He and Cinderella danced.

When the song was over they danced again,

And then they danced again and yet again.

Soon the other maidens at the ball grew jealous.

Why is he dancing all of the time with her?

They said,

How rude.

But all the prince could see was Cinderella.

They laughed and talked and they danced some more.

In fact,

They danced for so long that Cinderella did not see the clock.

Dong,

Said the clock.

Cinderella looked up.

Dong,

Went the clock again.

She looked up again.

Oh my,

She cried out,

It's almost midnight.

Dong,

Rung the clock.

Why does it matter,

Said the prince.

Dong,

Called the clock.

Oh,

I must go,

Said Cinderella.

Dong,

Went the clock.

But we just met,

Said the prince.

Why leave now?

Dong,

Rung the clock.

I must go,

Said Cinderella.

She ran to the steps.

Dong,

Said the clock.

I cannot hear you,

Said the prince.

The clock is too loud.

Dong,

Rung the clock.

Goodbye,

Said Cinderella.

Up,

Up the stairs she ran.

Dong,

Went the clock.

Please,

Stop for a moment,

Said the prince.

Oh dear,

She said,

As one of her glass slippers fell off her foot and onto the stair.

But Cinderella had to keep running.

Dong,

Went the clock.

Please,

Wait a moment,

Said the prince.

Dong,

Rung the clock.

Goodbye,

Cinderella turned one last time.

Then she rushed out the door.

Dong.

The clock was quiet.

It was midnight.

Wait,

Called the prince.

He picked up her glass slipper and rushed out the door.

He looked around but could not see her blue dress anywhere.

This is all I have left from her,

He said,

Looking down at the glass slipper.

He saw that it was made a special way,

To fit a foot like none other.

Somewhere there is another glass slipper,

He said,

And when I find it,

I will find her too.

Then I will ask her to be my bride.

From hut to hut,

From house to house,

Went the prince.

One young woman after another tried to fit her foot inside the glass slipper.

But none could fit.

And so the prince moved on.

At last he came to Cinderella's house.

He's coming,

Called one stepsister as she looked out the window.

At the door,

Screamed the other stepsister.

Quick,

Yelled the stepmother.

Get ready.

One of you must be the one to fit your foot into that slipper,

No matter what.

The prince knocked.

The stepmother flew open the door.

Come in,

She said.

I have two lovely daughters for you to see.

The first stepsister tried to place her foot in the glass slipper.

She tried hard,

But it just would not fit.

Then the second stepsister tried to fit her foot inside.

She too tried hard,

With all her might,

But it would not fit.

Are there no other young women in this house?

Said the prince.

None,

Said the stepmother.

Then I must go,

Said the prince.

Maybe there is one more,

Said Cinderella,

Stepping into the room.

I thought you said there were no other young women here,

Said the prince.

None who matter,

Said the stepmother with a hiss.

Please,

Come here,

Said the prince.

Cinderella stepped up to him.

The prince got down on one knee and tried the glass slipper on her foot.

It fit perfectly.

Then from her pocket,

Cinderella took out something.

It was the other glass slipper.

I knew it,

He cried.

You are the one.

What?

Shouted a stepsister.

Not her,

Screamed the other stepsister.

This cannot be,

Yelled the stepmother.

But it was too late.

The prince knew that Cinderella was the one.

He looked into her eyes.

He did not see the cinders in her hair,

Nor the ashes on her face.

I have found you,

He said.

And I have found you,

Said Cinderella.

And so Cinderella and the prince were married.

And they lived happily ever after.

The end.

Good night,

Precious one.

It's time to let the magical world of slumber hold you for the next many hours.

Know that you are completely safe.

As you breathe in and out,

Drifting off into the land of dreams and beauty.

My wish for you,

My darling,

Is that you wake feeling happy,

Light,

Free,

Safe.

You are a very wise and beautiful little soul,

And it has been my pleasure to share this very special time with you.

Sweet dreams.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Reviews

I been listening to this for forever now and I love it

I loved that story, I could hear it 1000000000 times and I would never get bored of it, it is good everytime. I also loved the breathing at the start. Very thoughtful and such a good tracher

Love!! My daughters and I have been listening to this for years. We love it. Every night.

My daughters both enjoyed listening. So sweet, thank you!

I’ve listened to this for AGES now!
I normally listen to this every night, and mostly never make
It to the end without falling asleep!
I love your voice and how it’s so calming with the music and the story is almost like not “dramatic/ stressful” if that makes sence? It’s just a calm fairy tale :p
I do wish it was a little bit longer, I know that’s not your fault of the story being that length but even the music or like breathing like at the start, it’s at the end aswell? Thank you so much for this story though it’s lovely :)

Thank you for making me feel like a child (at 62😍)!

I love it but if it was a little longer I would fall asleep 😴

I have herd a lot of Cinderella stories but this one is one of my favorites!😊🤍

Awesome part two pls thx your voice is very relaxing and it really helped to calm me down merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

Lav:)

It is an amazing, beautiful bedtime story. I love it so much and I am ten year old .Your vioce is so wonderful and I love how you act out the different voices. It just makes it more magical. Maybe you could do a sleeping buety story. That would be nice. I

Beautifully told… My daughter loves this! Many thanks 🙏❤️

Amazing thank you so much my daughter love it thank goodness I have to get my daughter a phone soon

✨ Great story! I fell straight to sleep right after the story in the silent part. This was very soothing✨

The only one my daughter has listened to for years!

Hello hello 👋🏻 I love your work and what are you doing all of your meditations are so great I love you you’re the best person ever heard

😍 fantastic, my granddaughter fell asleep before the story was finished!! Thank you

I always love story’s and this one is one of my favourites thank you for this meditation

The last but was a little long but other than that my favorite book yet

I feel so good after listening to the wonderful meditation it’s probably the best one yet I just can’t believe how amazing it was at the end I was out like a light you done a amazing job everyone should listen to this amazing 🤩 meditation 🧘🏼‍♀️

This was suuuper relaxing me and my brother listen to it a lot thank you “Mama Godess”