Fearless Fables: Cinderella and the Courage to Shine
Rachel MarshallAre you one of the 47% of adult Brits still scared of the dark? It’s ok if you are, there’s nothing wrong with being nervous about things that go bump in the night. But if you find yourself struggling to drift off, how about a good bedtime story?
In this Fearless Fable, we re-tell the classic story of Cinderella but with a modern twist. Constantly put upon and pulled from pillar to post (sound familiar??) Cinderella finally gets a chance to let her hair down with an invite to the Royal Ball but there’s a problem… She’s terrified of the dark!
Adult bedtimes stores: Cinderella and the Courage to Shine
In a quaint kingdom, not too far from here, lived a young woman named Cinderella. She had a heart of gold and a spirit that sparkled brighter than any tiara. Unfortunately, she also had a never-ending list of chores to complete for her overbearing stepmother and two stepsisters, who were about as pleasant as a mouthful of bitter herbs. Every day was a whirlwind of dusting, scrubbing, and cooking, leaving Cinderella running on empty and perpetually exhausted.
To make matters worse, Cinderella harboured a deep, dark secret: she was terrified of the dark. After a lifetime of shadowy corners and flickering candlelight, every creak of the floorboards sent shivers down her spine. So, while she scrubbed the floors and tended to the laundry late into the night, she ensured every light in the house was on, illuminating her surroundings like a holiday display gone rogue. The shadows taunted her, whispering anxiously as they danced along the walls.
One evening, as Cinderella dusted the ornate furniture, an envelope slid under the door. Her heart raced when she saw it was an invitation to the Royal Ball. “It’s going to be magnificent!” her stepsisters squealed, imagining the glittering gowns and dashing princes. But Cinderella’s excitement quickly twisted into anxiety. The ball would be at night, and as much as she longed to attend, the thought of being out in the dark filled her with dread.
As she voiced her concerns to her Not-So-Scary Godmother, a sprightly figure appeared in a shimmer of sparkles. “Why fret, my dear?” the Not-So-Scary Godmother asked, her wand at the ready. “We’ll make this work! Let’s find you something that will light up your path.” With a wave of her wand, she conjured up a pair of comfy slippers that glowed gently with every step. “These will help you face the dark, Cinderella! You’ll light up the dance floor!”
On the night of the ball, Cinderella stepped into the grand hall, her slippers illuminating the way. She twirled and laughed, momentarily forgetting the shadows lurking just beyond the glow. But as the clock struck midnight, a pang of anxiety gripped her. The lights in her slippers began to dim. Panic surged as she felt the darkness creep in, threatening to engulf her.
Just then, she noticed a figure approaching through the dimness—a handsome prince who seemed equally uneasy. He stepped forward, his face shadowed and anxious. “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Cinderella smiled, trying to hide her own nervousness. “I’m okay. Just… facing my fears.”
The prince sighed, glancing around nervously. “I’m not so sure. The dark… it gets to me. I’ve always been afraid of it, you know?”
Cinderella felt a flicker of solidarity. “Really? But you’re a prince! I thought you would be brave!”
“I may wear a crown, but shadows don’t care about titles,” he admitted, fidgeting as darkness crept closer. “I thought coming to the ball would help, but now I just want to hide.”
With a newfound determination, Cinderella stepped closer to him. “Then let’s face this together. I’ve learned a few things about the dark, and I think they can help.”
Taking his hand, Cinderella led the prince to a quieter corner of the hall. “First, remember that shadows are just shapes. They can’t hurt you. Let’s look at them instead of running away.” She pointed to a curtain that flapped in the breeze, casting strange shapes. “See? It’s just a curtain!”
The prince watched, his anxiety slowly melting away. “Okay, but what about the noise? Every creak makes me jump.”
Cinderella nodded, recalling her own fears. “When I hear noises, I remind myself they’re just part of the world. Our minds sometimes create monsters where there are none. Focus on the good sounds—the music, the laughter. They’re all around us.”
As they stood together, the dim light from Cinderella’s glowing slippers created a warm, inviting aura. “And if you ever feel overwhelmed,” she added, “remember that it’s okay to take a step back and breathe. You can find your light in the dark.”
The prince smiled, feeling comforted by her words. “You really believe that, don’t you?”
Cinderella grinned. “I do! And I’m here to help you whenever you need it. Facing fears isn’t easy, but it’s much better when you don’t have to do it alone.”
With newfound confidence, the prince squeezed her hand. “Thank you, Cinderella. I never thought I’d find someone to help me through the shadows.”
From that night on, Cinderella and the prince faced the darkness together, learning from each other as they embraced their fears. As they danced beneath the stars, they realised that by shining light on their fears, they could conquer anything—together.
Nyctophobia is nothing to be embarrassed about
It’s ok to be scared of the dark, but with a bit of encouragement, we can all overcome our fears. Hopefully, our 21st Century Cinderella has inspired you to turn off the light and get some rest, but if you’re hooked, check out our other Fearless Fables:
If you’re still struggling to sleep, head over to our Sleep Hub for expert tips and advice about creating a relaxing environment, developing a bedtime routine or designing your perfect bedroom.