Cinderella is undoubtedly the classic Disney Princess. Her story is the epitome of a fairy tale and contains all of the classic story-book elements: the evil step-mother and step-sisters, the delightfully cheery Fairy Godmother, the wonderfully handsome Prince Charming, and the grand, magnificent ball scene. Before Cinderella was claimed by Disney, her story only was told by word of mouth. It was passed down from generation to generation, culture to culture, for hundreds of years. She reaches past cultural boundaries and something about her triumph resonates deep within the souls of people everywhere. The myriad of retellings have been molded and fashioned in such a way that allows for a person of any race, background, or age to relate to Cinderella in some way. Can’t you imagine her story being whispered by mothers around a tiny glowing fire, little girls listening with wide eyes and eager ears? Oh, what seeds of hope Cinderella has sown in our hearts!
For a long time, Cinderella’s story was not written down until it was composed by the Brothers Grimm and published in their folk tale collection, Grimm’s Fairy Tales. However, the story we all know and love comes from the Cinderella movie, which was released in 1950 by Disney. In the movie we meet Cinderella as a sweet young woman living under the dictatorial rule of her evil-stepmother, Lady Tremaine, as well as her dreadfully vain and selfish step-sisters, Drizella and Anastasia. The first scene opens with Cinderella waking up in the morning, singing of her hopes and dreams. She sings whimsically,
“A dream is a wish your heart makes,
When you’re fast asleep.
In dreams you will lose your heartaches,
Whatever you wish for, you keep.
Have faith in your dreams and someday,
A rainbow will come shining through.
No matter how your heart is grieving,
fF you keep on believing,
The dream that you wished will come true.”
There is much to be gleaned from the heart of Cinderella. She was a self-proclaimed dreamer. She was a woman who grasped hope tightly in her tired and delicate hands, perhaps because it was all she had to hold. Not only did she see the future as bright and filled with beauty beyond imagination, but she was also consistently kind and authentically gentle in every situation in which she found herself.
Consider the moment in the movie when Cinderella, radiant in her handmade gown, comes running down the staircase eager to leave for the ball. She twirled around in excitement, and the eyes of her step-sisters narrowed in on her. They saw her beauty and elegance, and they would do anything to keep Cinderella from showing them up at the ball. They ripped off her pearls, tore off her sleeves, and made her dress completely unwearable. After clawing at Cinderella like wild animals, they lifted their gowns, stuck their up noses, and walked out with pride in what they had just done. In a fleeting moment Cinderella’s dreams were shredded to pieces. Wouldn’t she have been justified to fight back? To tell her step-sisters what she really thought of them? To fire-back at them with evil glares and cutting words? Maybe so. But what’s so absolutely wonderful about Cinderella is that she never does. She truly lives out the phrase “turn the other cheek,” in the most difficult moments.
Yes, the gentleness that Cinderella exudes is a rare treasure in today’s world. But to be gentle is also an instruction we have received from the Lord. Philippians 4:5 says,
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
To be gentle is to be mild in temperament, to be kind and tender, to be sympathetic, to be considerate and compassionate, and to be God-fearing. It is to be all of these things even when we would be justified to seek vengeance.
Let’s take a lesson away from Cinderella’s story that’s deeper than finding our Prince Charmings and making it to the ball. Let’s be gentle, God-fearing women. Let’s look into heated gazes with soft eyes and sweet smiles. Let’s live out Proverbs 15:2 in a harsh world:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
To become a bunch of gentle, loving, God-fearing women. Oh, imagine the sweeping change we could make!
All for His royal kingdom,
Sammie Marie
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