The Chinese Cinderella, by Tuan Ch’Eng-Shih, is the earliest version found, dates back to 850-860AD. There is even an African version of the tale recorded in the Hausa language and translated into English in 1965. Among other cultural versions are: the Native American version “Oochigeaskw – “The Rough-Faced Girl”; and the most familiar to today’s readers is Charles Perrault’s version.

In these variations of the “Cinderella” story, many commonalities exist -- Likewise many other ghastly details differentiate them. I choose to expose my 4-year-old daughter to Perrault Cinderella

Although in all the Cinderella’s variations the characters and events are exaggerated somewhat beyond reality, I prefer Perrault's most popular version. Unlike many of the other versions, Perrault’s focuses on kindness, forgiveness and humility. When the two sisters recognized Cinderella as the beautiful princess, they fell at her feet and asked for forgiveness. “Cinderella raised them up and kissed them, saying that she forgave them with all her heart…” (WRAC pg. 602). In this version, Cinderella found forgives in her heart towards her stepsisters. The lesson that people will treat you bad and how to respond is important to me. These traits I want to encourage in my daughter.

Realizing that originally these fairy tales were written for adults and later adapted for children. I try to view each one of them as the literary treasure they are. I did not like all the Cinderella versions I read, however, I appreciated the cultural view and the flexibility /adaptability of the fairy tale. They were adapted, re-scripted, reshaped, and stil

Some topics in this essay:
Perrault Cinderella, Brothers Grimm, Disney’s Cinderella, Tuan Ch’Eng-Shih, Charles Perrault’s, , Native American, Rough-Faced Girl”, fairy tales, fairy tale, grew listening,