Free The Story Traveller by Judy Stubley

need two very handsome gentlemen to help Cinderella get to the ball.’
    Oh what a jostle there was, as the pond suddenly became a huge trampoline. Frog after frog leapt out of the water, to show off in front of Lucy.
    â€˜You’re all so good-looking, so I’ll take the first two to jump onto my hands.’
    Immediately two young frogs leapt onto her outstretched palms.
    â€˜I don’t suppose any of you are a prince?’ she added as an after thought. A chorus of croaks followed. ‘Oh dear! I’d love to kiss every one of you, but to-night is Cinderella’s night.’ Lucy carefully held the handsome frogs in each hand and ran round to the front drive, where Cinderella had just returned with a magnificent brown rat. Twinkle carefully placed the six white mice in front of the pumpkin, the brown rat on the top and the two handsome frogs at the back. Then she picked up her gnarled stick and said: ‘Butter and crumpets, biscuits and tea,
    Turn into a coach for Cinders to see.’
    Twinkle waved her now glittering wand. Nothing happened. Lucy laughed.
    â€˜There are no butter and crumpets, biscuits and tea. Just six white mice, one rat, a pumpkin and two handsome frogs! Try again Twinkle.’
    â€˜Oh dear,’ said Twinkle. ‘Having you here has put me off. Now concentrate, Twinkle, old girl. Dear Mr Rat, make yourself smart. Six white mice please play your part.
    Handsome frogs leap to your post.
    Pumpkin become the coach with the most.’
    A cloud of little helpers rose up in the air and flew up around and over the group. There was a sudden flash of a thousand gold stars and then, after these cleared, there was the most beautiful golden coach, pulled by six striking white horses, with a sleek driver and two very handsome footmen at the back, all dressed in gold and green livery.
    Cinderella and Lucy ran up and peered inside. It was quite breathtaking. The seats were made of delicate pink rose petals, which gave out a wonderful perfume. The roof of the coach was studded with tiny stars that shone and glittered, while the outside of the coach was decorated with precious stones and pearls. ‘Now we need to make you look like the rightful owner,’ Twinkle told Cinderella.
    â€˜Magic wand help Cinders out, Make her belle of the ball without a doubt.’ This time Twinkle made no mistakes and Cinderella suddenly found herself dressed in a beautiful silver dress, decorated with tiny diamonds. Her lovely blonde hair fell over one shoulder in graceful curls and was again decorated with tiny diamonds that looked remarkably like Twinkle’s little helpers.
    â€˜Ella, you look wonderful,’ Lucy told her. ‘And look at your shoes, they are so dainty.’
    Cinderella lifted her dress a little and stared with awe at the beautiful crystal slippers, which sparkled so much they sent out bursts of stars each time she moved her feet.
    â€˜Well, Ella, you’ll certainly be the belle of the ball,’ Lucy laughed, as she watched Cinderella twirl in her new clothes. Then, suddenly, Cinders stopped and looked worried.
    â€˜But I haven’t got an invitation. They won’t let me in without one.’
    â€˜Yes, you have, yes, you have!’ Lucy suddenly remembered the invitation in her apron pocket. ‘Here it is for the Honourable Ella Carnac.’ Lucy handed the envelope with the Royal Crest to Cinderella.
    â€˜But I can’t take that!’ Cinderella said sadly. ‘My stepmother and stepsisters will know I’m there. I’d never hear the end of it.’
    â€˜Don’t worry, my dear,’ said Twinkle. ‘Give me the envelope. We can soon change that. Who would you like to be?’
    â€˜Oh I’m not sure. Could I be Lucy?’ ‘No ‘fraid not,’ Lucy told her. ‘Remember I’ve already met the Prince, but how about The Honourable Belle de le Bal, which you certainly will be.’
    â€˜Yes, what a