Listen or read along. “Cinderella” is a free
classic fairy tale for ages 4–6, narrated aloud in about 8 minutes.
The full text is below, and the Sleepfox app reads it to your child with a
calm voice, a dimming screen and a gentle sleep timer.
Once upon a time, there lived a kind girl named Cinderella.
She had two stepsisters who were not always very nice.
They liked to boss Cinderella around.
But Cinderella stayed cheerful and gentle, no matter what.
She sang softly as she tidied the house.
She hummed little tunes as she swept the floor.
One day, a special invitation arrived.
The prince was having a grand ball at the palace!
Everyone in the kingdom was invited.
The stepsisters squealed with excitement.
They tried on dress after dress after dress.
Cinderella helped them choose ribbons and bows.
"May I come too?" she asked softly.
"Oh, you?" they giggled. "You have nothing to wear!"
And off they went in their fancy carriage.
Cinderella sat in the quiet garden.
She felt a little sad, but she didn't cry for long.
The evening air was soft and warm.
Stars began to twinkle overhead.
Then something magical happened.
A gentle glow appeared among the flowers.
It was Cinderella's fairy godmother, smiling kindly.
"Why so sad, dear one?" she whispered.
"I wish I could go to the ball," Cinderella said softly.
"Then you shall," said the fairy godmother.
She waved her wand, and sparkles danced in the air.
A pumpkin in the garden began to shimmer and glow.
It grew and changed into a beautiful coach, all silver and gold.
Little mice playing nearby became gentle horses.
They snorted softly and pawed the ground.
Then the fairy godmother touched Cinderella's shoulder.
Her worn dress became a gown of shimmering blue.
On her feet were the most delicate glass slippers.
They caught the moonlight and sparkled like stars.
"Now off you go," the fairy godmother said. "But remember…"
"When the clock strikes midnight, the magic will fade."
"Come home before then, dear."
Cinderella promised, and climbed into the coach.
The horses trotted gently toward the palace.
At the ball, everyone turned to look.
Who was this graceful girl in the beautiful gown?
The prince came over right away.
"Would you like to dance?" he asked politely.
Cinderella nodded, feeling shy and happy.
They danced together, round and round.
The music was soft and dreamy.
The prince thought Cinderella was the kindest person he'd ever met.
They talked about flowers and birds and favorite stories.
Time floated by like a gentle dream.
Then the clock began to chime.
Bong… bong… bong…
Midnight!
"Oh! I must go!" Cinderella whispered.
She hurried down the palace steps.
In her rush, one glass slipper slipped off her foot.
But she couldn't stop—the magic was fading!
She climbed into the coach just in time.
The prince ran after her, holding the lost slipper.
But the coach had already disappeared into the night.
All he had left was one sparkling glass slipper.
The next morning, the prince had an idea.
He would visit every house in the kingdom.
Whoever the slipper fit must be the kind girl from the ball.
He traveled from door to door.
The slipper was too small for some, too narrow for others.
At last, he came to Cinderella's house.
The stepsisters tried and tried.
They pushed and wiggled, but the slipper wouldn't fit.
"Is there anyone else here?" the prince asked.
"Only Cinderella," they said.
"May I try?" Cinderella asked gently.
She sat down and slipped her foot into the glass slipper.
It fit perfectly.
The prince's face lit up with a smile.
"It's you!" he said happily.
He recognized her kind eyes and gentle voice.
"Will you come to the palace?" he asked. "We could be friends."
Cinderella smiled and nodded.
She forgave her stepsisters, because that's how kind hearts work.
And from that day on, Cinderella lived at the palace.
She had a room with windows that looked out on the garden.
Every evening, she could see the stars twinkling.
The prince visited often, and they talked and laughed together.
The fairy godmother watched from far away, smiling.
And Cinderella felt safe and loved and happy.
Tonight, she snuggles into her soft, cozy bed.
The moonlight glows gently through the window.
Everything is peaceful and warm.
And as her eyes grow heavy, she drifts into the sweetest dreams…
Goodnight, Cinderella.
Goodnight, little one.
Sleep tight.
Listen to it free in the app
Sleepfox narrates every story aloud, dims the screen, and fades out with a
gentle sleep timer. A brand-new story is added free every night.
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Pinocchio
The Ebony Horse