Read the excerpt from Cinderella and a short story based on the fairy tale. Then, answer the questions.
Cinderella (fairy tale):
Once there was a girl named Cinderella whose mother had died. Her father remarried a cruel woman. She made Cinderella do all the work for her and her two daughters.
They even forced Cinderella to sleep on the hearth, so she was always covered in cinders, and gave her the name Cinderella.
One day the prince announced that he would hold a ball. He would invite all the young women of the kingdom. The stepsisters were very excited. Cinderella hoped that she could go too.
Cinderella (short story):
Cinderella sighed and wiped her hand across her forehead. She knew it left a trail of cinders, but she was too tired to care, even if her stepsisters would laugh at her again and mock her with the name “Cinderella.”
She took her mop, trudged out to the wide marble steps of the mansion and started to work. As always, when she was working on a mindless task, it was hard to avoid her mind flying away like a bird. She was miserable, trapped working for her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. No matter how she tried to keep the house clean and make them lovely clothes and delicious meals, they were always cruel. While she worked she twirled the mop and pictured herself at a beautiful party, dancing.
“Letter, miss.” Cinderella looked up with a start. A fancy messenger was holding out a fancy envelope. just as she reached out for it, her stepsister Anastasia flew out the front door and snatched it from the messenger’s hand
1. What is the main similarity between the two versions of Cinderella?
- The main similarity between the two versions of Cinderella is that she is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters.
2. What is the main difference between the two versions of Cinderella?
- The main difference between the two versions of Cinderella is that the short story provides more details and focuses on Cinderella's thoughts and emotions, while the fairy tale version is more concise and focuses on the events.
3. In the short story version, how does Cinderella feel about her situation?
- In the short story version, Cinderella feels miserable and trapped in her situation.
4. What happens when Cinderella is about to receive a letter in the short story version?
- When Cinderella is about to receive a letter in the short story version, her stepsister Anastasia snatches it from the messenger's hand before she can take it.