Camethetimeforthatcuriousfairtheyusedtoholdinthattry,whenalltheresidentvirgiodanfrontofthekingssonsothathecouldpickoutthegirlhewaomarry.

    Theturtledovewasmadforthat,fhtertomarrytheprinighthavethoughtherownexperienarriagemighthavetaughthertobewary,butno,needsmust,whatelseisagirltodo?Theturtledovewasmadfhtertomarrysoshefleickedupthenewsilkdresswithherbeak,draggedittotheopenwindow,threwitdouttle.Shedidthesamewiththestringofpearls.Ashputtlehadagoodwashuhepumpintheyard,putoolenfineryaoutthebackway,secretly,tothedanggrounds,butthestepsistershadtostayhomeandsulkbecausetheyhadnothingtowear.

    TheturtledovestayedclosetoAshputtle,pegherearstomakeherdancevivaciously,sothattheprincewouldseeher,sothattheprincewouldloveher,sothathewouldfollowherandfindtheclueofthefallenslipper,forthestoryisnotpletewithouttheritualhumiliationoftheotherwomanailationhters.

    Thesearchforthefootthatfitstheslipperisessentialtotheenatofthisritualhumiliation.

    Theotherwomanwantsthatyoungmandesperately.Shewoulddoanythingtocatchhim.Notlosingadaughter,butgainingasosasonsobadlysheispreparedtocrippleherdaughters.Shetakesupacarvingknifeandchopsoffherelderdaughtersbigtoe,sothatherfootwillfitthelittleshoe.

    Imagine.

    Brandishingthecarvingkhewomanbearsdownonherchild,whoisasdistraughtasifshehadnotbeenagirlbutaboyandtheoldwomanwasafteramoreessentialportionthanatoe."No!"shescreams."Mother!No!Nottheknife!No!"Butoffites,allthesame,ahrowsitinthefire,amongtheashes,whereAs