As I started thinking about what changed I would make to the classical Cinderella story that I grew up loving, I struggled. I wanted to do something creative, and different that would really change the context more than anything else. As one of my main interests is education, I decided I would incorporate education into the narrative. I then read through the classical version and what bothered me most was that the step-sisters were considered "better off" because of all their access to material goods. This, and Cinderella being saved by the Prince really needed to be altered in my opinion to show young girls what is really important. I chose to write the story to show the importance of education to success.
Therefore instead of the step-sisters being "better off" because of material goods they receive a top education. Legerella (who is named Legerella because "legere" means to read in latin and she loved to read) is not allowed to go to school and is forced to stay home and clean. Instead of the story centered around the ball, it is centered around the SATs- the important exam that is the means to a higher education and therefore a higher quality of life. Of course Legerella isn't allowed to go to the exam until her own private tutor shows up to send her. She warns her though to be home before her step-sisters and step-mother so she therefore runs out of time to write her name on her exam.
When eventually this test was known to belong to Legerella she was able to be saved from the situation she was in. However it is so important that she was not saved by the Prince, or by another man, she was saved through education. I really like the changes I made and this this version would be a very good story for young girls who want to grow up to be princesses to read, as they can see that Princesses can be empowered on their own.
