Robin Redbreast

Robin Redbreast
Birds can represent the fluttering, darting thoughts of intuition. This is why little birds helped Cinderella help herself.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Cinderella #342 Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair

Cinderella #342 Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair
Illustration by
Richa Kinra
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful, clever, brave little girl named Jewel. When she was nine years old, something terrible happened. She was riding in  a car, and there was a terrible accident. She was injured badly, and "spent weeks in the Hospital for Sick Children recovering", endured surgery eight times, and "currently walks with a cane". Here is what she imagined when she heard the name Cinderella: "In a Kingdom far, far away lives Cinderella. One summer evening, she's called while perfuming Stepmother's gym socks. Cinderella wheels into the kitchen super quick." That's when her stepmother tells her that the King is suffering from disease and worries for the future of his kingdom. Therefore, he is "hosting a costume party" so that the Prince can find a bride. When Cinderella's twin stepsisters hear this news they "give each other high fives". But when Cinderella asks if she can go, these meanies "release a loud snort. 'I'm afraid we're talking about a Royal costume party not a Charity Ball. Wake up, Cinderella. Wheelchair-mobile princesses don't exist." Then her stepmother says,"You enjoy jewelry making in your spare time, correct?" and Cinderella says she does. So her stepmother offers her a deal: make fabulous pieces for the twins, and she can come. So Cinderella gets busy  creating them. The days pass quickly, and before everyone knows it, the day of the party has arrived. "Stepmother hires make-up masters and hotshot celebrity hairstylists for her daughters." Meanwhile, Cinderella changes into the secret outfit she has made, a "butterfly costume". But her sisters mock her mercilessly when they see her, and tear it to shreds. Then her stepmother "runs into Cinderella's storage room and returns with a sharp jewelry tool." With a triumphant sneer, she "punctures Cinderella's wheelchair tire." Then all three left Cinderella behind. After she had cried for a few minutes, she heard a voice. It said,"Don't cry!" And when Cinderella looked up she wondered who in the world the person could be! She was about the same age as herself, but dressed in a filmy green dress. "My name is Monique. I'm a student fairy godmother from Enchantment University. I'm here to help you get to the Royal Costume Ball." Then Monique waves her wand and "squeezes her eyes shut. Cinderella and her wobbly wheelchair shoot up lightening fast." The transformation to a "rather futuristic" wheelchair is dramatic. Soon it "sports twenty-four karat gold rims, a blinking control panel and mighty airplane wings." Then Monique flicks her wand again and Cinderella wears a gown like a brilliant butterfly, along with a pair of lace gloves. Arriving at the palace, the prince, who is poking "at the stinky blue cheese on his plate" can't believe his eyes. He must greet this marvel! He is so pleasantly surprised to chat with the girl, and see that she has made a get-well card for the King. No one at the party did! So he asks her to dance. She protests, but he persists and then she "remembers her magic wheelchair". She's ready! Soon she "starts bopping her head. Her seat rises. The tires of her wheelchair start bouncing with the beat." For the slow-dance, the prince just scoops her into his arms. Yet when the music ends, the girl wriggles back into her chair and rolls away. As the clock strikes twelve, "Cinderella and her magic wheelchair are gone." All that is left is a lace glove. The night gives Cinderella the courage to move "out of her stepfamily's cruel nest" and take the risk of opening her own jewelry shop. It happens one day that the prince comes in. He has been searching everywhere for her. Then he "pulls out her missing glove from his pocket" and tells her that he doesn't care if she walks or rolls down the aisle, but that he wants to marry her. So they begin to make plans. The twins are invited, and send a nasty gift, "a pair of Stepmother's yucky gym socks and a bottle of used perfume." But the happy couple doesn't let this bring them down. They "have a grand wedding. Newspaper and TV reporters from around the world cover the event." Because they truly love each other they live happily ever after, in the now wheelchair accessible palace. They have proved Stepmother "dead wrong: wheelchair-mobile Princesses DO exist!"
From: Kats, J. (2011) USA: Loving Healing Press
Notes: This is most definitely an inspirational story, a good addition to a children's library at school or at home.  For more information about Jewel Kats, go to  http://www.jewelkats.com/cinderella