I almost had a Cinderella moment this weekend. There were no fairy godmothers, wicked stepmothers, or pumpkins involved. Just a set of stairs, a shoe that wanted to stay on the stairs, and--drumroll please!--an unwed man of my acquaintance!
The facts are these: I was walking down the stairs in the Houston Temple and my right shoe slipped just enough that it wasn't quite on my foot. But my brain being what it is, coupled with previous experiences with other people's desires concerning the man and myself, I thought, "Must NOT lose shoe! If anyone found out that I lost a shoe on the stairs with HIM* practically chasing me down the stairs there would be talk of signs, Prince Charming, and (gasp!) nerd-babies!" I dragged that shoe dangling precariously on my foot to the next step, shoved my foot more firmly into the shoe and happily continued on my way.
This led me to think about Cinderella as I was driving to Hasta la Pasta. (Sidenote: They have the best Eggplant Parmesan I have ever eaten. I ask for the Tomato Cream sauce. My stomach thinks it has died and gone to Heaven every time. The wait staff probably thinks I'm crazy because I sit there, alone, eating doing this little happy seat dance after every bite.) In reality, with all the work Cinderella had to do every day, all day, I don't know how she had the energy to go to the ball. I would have been ecstatic just to have the house all to myself. Think about it. They're all going to the ball! What can I possibly do to help you get ready and out of the house soonest?!
I wonder how many little girls out there have grown up and never get to go to the ball. They work hard only to come home to housework, laundry, dishes, and then remember that they have to eat and that requires cooking. By the time any ball rolls around they're too tired to attend. Or have to psyche themselves up to muster the energy and courage to talk to anyone. Only as soon as Prince Charming finds out you live 90 miles away--one way!--he suddenly remembers that he promised to help a friend move a piano 5 minutes ago. But of course Cinderella would never believe that Prince Charming was anything but honest about his need to help a friend. So she gives him the benefit of the doubt and believes that one day he'll come back and renew their interrupted conversation. Because if she doesn't believe that he will come back, what's the point?!
But wait! There's an alternative! Cinderella could choose to NOT go to the ball. (I know, you're all shocked.) Instead, she could opt to do things she enjoys. I mean she does have the house to herself because the Steps have gone out for the evening. She could turn on the stereo and dance all alone in that huge foyer. Or go to the ball--she was invited after all--sit in a corner and listen to the orchestra play. Or wander through the palace viewing the paintings on the wall. Or discover the library, curl up in a chair with a book she has never read before and possibly fall asleep.
I think this is why Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. Instead of Beauty getting dolled up for the ball and making efforts so the Prince will notice her out of the hordes of other women vying for his attention, Beast has to do things for her to show her that he loves and wants her. He desires her happiness so that she will choose to stay with him and break the curse. Beast knows that the only way for him to be free from the curse and the lonely existence he endures is for Beauty to see him and choose to love him. My favorite cinematic version of this story was done in the 1980's with Rebecca de Mornay and John Savage. The main theme is expressed in this song. "If you see with your heart, every dream waiting to come true will be freed once it's found by you."
*He's actually a very nice guy....upon occasion. Any woman would be lucky to marry him.
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