One evening at dinner, her father sat beside his beloved Ella and whispered to her: “I received a letter today.”
“A letter? Who from?” she whispered back, avoiding the hot glare from her stepmother.
“The King,” he replied, smiling.
“The King!” exclaimed the stepmother.
“What does the King want with her?” screeched the eldest stepsister.
“Mother! I thought you said nooo animals in the house! Why is that THING in here?” whined the youngest.
“Cinder – I mean Ella… darling? Would you please get your monkey off the table?” the stepmother asked through clenched teeth.
Ella patted her lap and Zuzu hopped down. He grabbed a piece of bread from her plate and ran out of the large dining hall.