(原版)澳大利亞語文第三冊 LESSON 18

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LESSON 18 CINDER-ELLA

CINDER-ELLA

I

1. Once upon a time in a far distant country there lived a brave soldier, who had but one daughter, who was named Ella. She was a very pretty child with golden curls, a clear skin, and dark blue eyes. She was kind and good-tempered, and did all that she could to help her father and mother, and to please them.

2. When Ella was six years old her dear mother died. This was a great grief to the little girl and to her father. One of the neighbours, a widow, was very kind to Ella, and often asked her to play with her children, two girls, aged ten and twelve.

3. Ella's father felt very grateful to the lady who looked after his motherless girl. After a time war broke out, and the soldier was ordered out to fight. Before he left he married the woman who had been so kind to his little girl, for he thought he could then safely leave Ella in her charge.

4. A great battle took place. The king was in danger of being taken or killed, when Ella's father rushed to his help. He beat off the enemy and saved his King; but in the fight he was badly hurt, and in spite of all the care the doctors could give him, he died.

5. When the sad news reached Ella she cried bitterly. But worse was to follow. Ella's stepmother now had power to do just as she pleased. The two sisters also showed their bad temper; they often teased Ella, and sometimes pinched or beat her.

6. Ella soon found that her stepmother would not help her. If the poor girl spoke of the cruelty of her stepsisters she was called tell-tale, and had her ears boxed. She was set to do all the hard work in the kitchen, for her stepmother was too fond of money to pay a servant.

7. The stepmother did all that she could to give pleasure to her own girls. She bought them fine dresses and rich food, but in spite of all her care they grew up quite plain, while ill-temper left its mark upon their faces.

8. On the other hand, Ella kept her good looks as she grew up. She was dressed in the cast-off [1] clothes of her stepsisters, but was always neat and tidy, for she was skilled [2] with her needle. Although she was made the household drudge [3] , she was bright and cheerful, and did her best to please.

9. Her sisters, to tease her, called her Cinder-Ella, for they said she could never hope to come out of the kitchen, but would always live among the cinders [4] . When her sisters went out to parties, Cinder-Ella had to get their dresses ready, to sit up till they came home, and then to get them some supper.

DERA! DEAR!'SAID THE OLD LADY.

10. One day the king, whose life Ella's father had saved, said that he was going to give a great party on his son's birthday. He sent to Ella's stepmother, and asked her to attend and bring her daughters.

11. The stepsisters were in high glee. For days they talked of nothing but what they would wear at the party, and of the good looks of the young prince. Each hoped that the prince would choose her as a partner.

12. When Ella asked if she, too, could go to the party, they laughed loudly. "No, indeed," said they. "Your place is in the kitchen, among the cinders. See that you keep the fire alight and the soup hot for us when we return. Go to the party, indeed! What next will you ask?"

13. Ella was very sad, for she wished to go and see the prince. When the night of the party came and her stepmother and sisters had driven away, she could not help crying bitterly.

14. As she sat on her stool close to the kitchen fire, she heard a tapping on the floor near her. Looking up she saw a queer old woman with a steeple-crowned [5] hat, leaning upon an ebony [6] stick. She looked so kindly at Ella that the maiden felt no fear.

15. "Dear! Dear! Ella!" said the old lady; "those blue eyes were never meant to shed tears. Pray what is the matter with you? And why are you not going to the king's party? Don't fear to tell me everything, for I am your godmother [7] ."

16. Ella told her godmother the story. She did not complain of the work that she had to do, or of the cruel treatment of her stepmother. She only said how much she would like to go to the party.

17. "Well, so you shall, my dear," said the cheerful old lady. "So you shall, and be as fine as anyone. I will see to that. Now let us see what we have to work upon."

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[1] cast-off clothes: Worn clothes that the wearers had no further use for.

[2] skilled: Able to work well.

[3] drudge: One who has to do hard or dirty work.

[4] cinders: Burnt coals; ashes.

[5] steeple-crowned: Coming to a sharp point at the top.

[6] ebony: Heavy wood, black in colour, which takes a fine polish.

[7] godmother: A woman who promises certain things for a child at its baptism.