So Many Cinderellas! - Game Script Comparing texts from around the world exploring mythology


Background

Greetings princesses from around the world, 

As a princess, you must agree that the journey to "Happily Ever After" can get pretty complicated. We have racked up so many stories along the way and I am delighted to have you here at the annual Cinderellas Anonymous meeting where we can share our unique stories and bond over the things that we have in common!

Looking forward to our chat!

With the utmost respect and admiration,

Cinderella

 

Characters

Pear Blossom

Pear Blossom is a beautiful young girl from Korea.  Her cruel stepmother and stepsisters make her work for them, but with the help of a magical ox she is pulled out of her troubles and into a happy ending!


Your Task

Learn more about Pear Blossom and how she becomes a princess in your resources!


Resources

Scene - 01

Rhodopis

Rhodopis is a young servant girl in Egypt who loves to dance. Her boss, a sleepy old man, gives her a special pair of dancing slippers which make the other servant girls jealous. Not to mention her different looks, a head of gold curly hair and green eyes, make her an easy target for their snippy remarks and mean nicknames.  (Ignore them) Fate and some help from her animal friends make Rhodopis' story end at high note!


Your Task

Learn more about Rhodopis in your resources!


Resources

Scene - 01

Ye-Xian (Yeh-Shen)

Yeh-Shen is a Chinese maiden with an artist's touch for poetry and pottery. When her father dies from a plague, her cruel stepmother and stepsister make her work as a servant. But her mother sends a guiding spirit incarnated as a special gold fish to lift Ye-Xian's spirits and dress her for the New Year's festival and her whole fate changes!

Here is a video version of the story!


Your Task

Learn more about Ye-Xian in your resources!


Resources

Scene - 01

Chinye

Chinye lives with her mean stepmother and stepsister in West Africa. When they send her out to find water one night, some helpful animals guide her back home and she finds a magical gourd with guiding spirits and her happy ending involves helping her community!


Your Task

Learn more about Chinye in your resources!


Resources

Scene - 01

The English Princess aka Tattercoats

Tattercoat, as her old rich and mean grandfather calls her, lives in England and is worked to the bone. When the king visits her grandfather neglects her interest in going to the royal ball, but with the help of some attentive friends her luck is changed for the better!


Your Task

Learn more about Tattercoat in your resources!


Resources

Scene - 01

Scene 1: Introductions



1.

Public Message

Greetings princesses from around the world, 

As a princess, you must agree that the journey to Happily Ever After can get complicated. I am delighted to have you here at the annual Cinderellas Anonymous meeting where we can share our unique stories and bond over the things that we share!

With utter admiration,

Cinderella



2.

Private (Shortly After previous message)

Pear Blossom:

Pear Blossom,

Rumor has it that there is an important animal in your story. Can you tell us about that animal? How did you find each other? What does that animal help you do?

I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!

Cin(derella)cerely,

Cinderella

Rhodopis:

My fair Rhodopis,

I heard that someone gave you a very special pair of shoes. Who gave you those shoes? What do they look like? What do you plan to use them for?

With admiration,

Cinderella

Ye-Xian (Yeh-Shen):

Hi Ye-Xian!

I heard you have to deal with a pretty awful stepmother and stepsister in your life. Would you be willing to tell us about them? What do they tell you to do? 

Do you have a special secret place to escape them? Tell us about it!

With gobs and gobs of admiration, 

Cinderella

Chinye:

Dearest Chinye,

Between you and me, evil stepmothers and stepsisters can be THE WORST (am I right?) I heard you had to deal with some pretty awful ladies in your home. Would you be willing to share something about your stepmother or stepsisters with the group? 

With the utmost admiration,

Cinderella

The English Princess aka Tattercoats:

Hello our English Princess!

I look forward to hearing more about your amazing story. It seems like your clothing is very important in this story. How did you get the nickname Tattercoats? I heard you went to magnificent ball at the King's palace! Can you share with the group when and how your clothes changed? 

It seems different from my story, can you explain why?

Best wishes,

Cinderella



3.

Public Message (Shortly After previous message)

Greetings Princesses!

 

By now you should be familiar with your story and ready to respond to your first task. I look forward to our discussion. 

Remember to notice what makes our stories similar and what makes them different.

Cheers,

Cinderella



Vote

[username], Which princess was your favorite?



Option 1
Rhodopis
Option 2
The Lovely English Princess (Tattercoats)
Option 3
Chinye
Option 4
Ye-Xian
Option 5
Pear Blossom


Ending message for when most people voted for option



Option 1

Rhodopis!


Option 2

Our English Princess! (Formerly known as Tattercoats)


Option 3

Ye Xian


Option 4

Chinye


Option 5

Pear Blossom




Discussion Points

Tell us something new that you learned today!

What does learning about all the many stories like Cinderella make you think about?

Did you know that Rhodopis was the very first historical account of a Cinderella?