the slipper (or shoe) which Cinderella loses while running out of the ball
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[[Image:Cinderella_2.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]
[[Image:Cinderella_2.jpg|right|250px|thumb]]
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'''Cinderella''' is a European legend or [[folk tale]] about a motherless girl raised by her father. Her father remarries unwisely and suddenly dies, leaving her at the mercy of a wicked stepmother and two selfish stepsisters. She is helped by a fairy godmother to meet and wed a handsome prince. The story is a favorite of little girls.{{fact}}
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'''Cinderella''' is a European legend or [[folk tale]] about a motherless girl raised by her father. Her father remarries unwisely and suddenly dies, leaving her at the mercy of a wicked stepmother and two selfish stepsisters. She is helped by a fairy godmother to meet and wed a handsome prince. The story is a favorite of little girls.
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The classic plot element which makes the story memorable is the slipper (or shoe) which Cinderella loses while running out of the ball. The prince uses this as a token to identify the mysterious girl he enjoyed dancing with. The prince or his agents scour the countryside, having every unmarried lady try it on.
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In some variations of the story, the stepmother tries to prevent Cinderella from trying it on ("She's only a servant.")
==Movie versions==
==Movie versions==
*Cinderella (1950): The classic Disney version:
*Cinderella (1950): The classic Disney version:
*Ever After (1998): A live action film with [[Drew Barrymore]]
*Ever After (1998): A live action film with [[Drew Barrymore]]