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1. Village
Definition: A small community or settlement in a rural area.
Example: Ella lived in a small village with her father and stepfamily.
2. Kind-hearted
Definition: Having a kind and compassionate nature.
Example: Ella was known for her kind-heartedness and generosity.
3. Stepmother
Definition: The wife of one’s parent, especially when distinctively associated with a negative or authoritarian role.
Example: Ella’s stepmother treated her unkindly and made her do all the chores.
4. Stepsisters
Definition: The daughters of one’s stepmother or stepfather.
Example: Ella’s stepsisters were not as kind as she was and often mistreated her.
5. Solace
Definition: Comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.
Example: Ella found solace in the company of animals, particularly the little birds.
6. Overjoyed
Definition: Extremely happy or delighted.
Example: Ella’s stepsisters were overjoyed when they heard about the royal ball.
7. Mocked
Definition: Teased or made fun of in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
Example: Ella’s stepsisters mocked her, calling her “Cinderella” and ridiculing her.
8. Pang
Definition: A sudden sharp feeling of pain or distress.
Example: Ella felt a pang of sadness when her stepsisters insulted her.
9. Empowered
Definition: Made to feel strong and confident, especially in controlling one’s life and asserting one’s rights.
Example: Ella felt empowered by her newfound confidence.
10. Elegance
Definition: The quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
Example: The prince was captivated by Ella’s elegance at the ball.
11. Captivated
Definition: Attract and hold the interest and attention of someone.
Example: The prince was captivated by Ella’s beauty and grace.
12. Remorse
Definition: Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed.
Example: Ella’s stepmother and stepsisters were filled with remorse when they realized their cruelty.
13. Rags
Definition: Old, torn, or tattered clothing.
Example: Ella was back in rags after the magic of the ball wore off.
14. Slipper
Definition: A low, soft shoe without a fastening, typically made of silk, satin, or leather.
Example: Ella left behind one of her glass slippers at the palace.
15. Effortlessly
Definition: Without effort or difficulty.
Example: Ella’s foot slid effortlessly into the glass slipper.
16. True love
Definition: Genuine and deep affection and romantic attachment between two people.
Example: The prince knew Ella was his true love when her foot fit the slipper perfectly.
17. Magic
Definition: The power of apparently influencing events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.
Example: The little bird’s gift of a magical dress transformed Ella’s appearance.
18. Kindness
Definition: The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Example: Ella’s kindness and generosity were rewarded in the end.
19. Power
Definition: The ability to do something or act in a particular way, often with great influence or control.
Example: The story highlights the power of kindness and believing in oneself.
20. Belief
Definition: Trust, faith, or confidence in something or someone.
Example: Ella’s belief in the magic of the little bird’s gift changed her life.
Exercise 2: Story
Once upon a time in a small village, there lived a kind-hearted girl named Ella. Ella’s mother had passed away, and her father remarried a woman with two daughters of her own. However, Ella’s stepmother and stepsisters were not as kind as she was.
They treated Ella as their servant, making her do all the household chores while they lounged around in luxury. Ella’s only solace was the company of the animals in the village, particularly the little birds that often perched on her windowsill.
One day, the town received news that the king was hosting a grand ball at the palace. Every maiden in the kingdom was invited, as the prince was in search of a bride. Ella’s stepsisters were overjoyed and spent their days planning and preparing for the ball, while Ella was left to mend their gowns and polish their shoes.
As the day of the ball approached, Ella’s stepsisters mocked her, saying, “You? Attend the ball? Don’t be ridiculous, Cinderella! You are nothing but a servant.”
Ella couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness, but her spirits were lifted when she heard a sweet voice singing from her windowsill. It was a little bird that had often kept her company. The bird perched close to her and chirped, as if understanding her troubles.
With a gleam of hope in her eyes, Ella shared her deepest wish with the bird. She said, “I would love to attend the ball and dance with the prince, but it seems impossible.”
The bird chirped cheerfully and flew away, promising to return. To Ella’s surprise, the bird returned with a beautiful dress, made of delicate silk and adorned with sparkling sequins. It was a magical dress, fit for a princess.
Ella’s heart raced with excitement as she got ready, but just as she was about to leave, her stepsisters caught sight of her. They were astonished by her transformation and demanded to know where she got the dress.
Ella, feeling empowered by her newfound confidence, simply smiled and said, “It was a gift from a friend.”
Her stepsisters, consumed by jealousy, tried to tear the dress apart, but it remained intact. They had no choice but to let Ella go to the ball.
As she entered the grand ballroom, Ella’s grace and beauty caught everyone’s attention, including the prince’s. He was captivated by her elegance and asked her to dance. They twirled and danced through the night, and for a moment, Ella forgot about her troubles.
However, as midnight approached, Ella remembered the warning the little bird had given her: the magic would only last until midnight. She hurriedly bid the prince farewell and dashed down the palace stairs, leaving behind one of her glass slippers.
The prince, smitten by her, searched the kingdom to find the girl whose foot fit the slipper. The stepsisters, desperate for the prince’s attention, tried to squeeze their feet into the delicate shoe but failed.
Finally, the prince arrived at Ella’s house. Ella’s stepmother and stepsisters were shocked to see her in rags once again, but the prince insisted that she try on the slipper. As Ella’s foot slid effortlessly into the slipper, the prince knew he had found his true love.
Ella’s stepmother and stepsisters were filled with remorse, realizing the error of their ways. From that day forward, Ella lived happily in the palace with the prince, surrounded by love and kindness.
And the little bird, who had helped Ella in her time of need, continued to sing joyfully from her windowsill, a reminder of the power of kindness and the magic that lies within the hearts of those who believe.
Exercise 3: Questions
1. Who were the main characters in the story, and how did they treat Ella?
2. What event at the palace prompted Ella’s stepsisters to prepare for the grand ball, and how did they react to her desire to attend?
3. How did Ella obtain the beautiful dress for the ball, and what was her stepmother’s and stepsisters’ reaction to it?
4. Describe Ella’s experience at the grand ball, including her encounter with the prince and the magical aspect of the night.
5. What ultimately led the prince to find Ella and recognize her as his true love, and what happened to Ella’s stepmother and stepsisters in the end?
Exercise 4: Discussion
- Who are the main characters?
- What is the moral of the story?
- Do you have a similar story in your culture? How is it the same? How is it different?
- What did you like or dislike about the story?
