A Royal Message

The next morning a trumpet blew loudly. “ A royal messenger! ” Stepmother cried.

Stepmother and her daughters ran outside. Cinderella wiped her hands on her apron. Then she followed them. “ I wonder what the message is, ” she thought.

A big crowd was outside. The royal messenger sat on a horse. He held a long piece of paper.

“ Ahem! ” the messenger said. “ This is a very important message. The prince is hosting a ball. All fine ladies in the kingdom are invited. ”

“ Ooh! ” several ladies said at once. Cinderella’s stepsisters clapped with delight. “ We’re going to the prince’s ball! ” Gert cried.

Trudy’s eyes lit up. “ This is so exciting! ” she said. “ Maybe the prince will ask me to marry him! ”