The Cinderella Story is found all over the world. Enjoy these retellings from multiple cultures other than the traditional tale Americans are used to hearing.
This blog is free and reader-supported. When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission to assist with operating costs. Learn More.
A Cambodian version of Cinderella in which a poor girl marries a prince, is killed by her jealous stepfamily, and then, through her virtue, returns to become queen.
Infosoup
In this version we follow the trials and tribulations of the sweet, gentle, and pious Zahra when her parents die and she is left at the mercy of an uncaring stepmother and stepsisters.
Publisher
Since Maha’s father is away fishing most of the time, there is no one to help or comfort her. All that begins to change when Maha finds a magical red fish. In return for sparing his life, the fish promises to help Maha whenever she calls him. On the night Maha is forbidden to attend a grand henna to celebrate the coming wedding of a wealthy merchant’s daughter, the fish is true to his word. His magic sets in motion a chain of events that reward Maha with great happiness, and a dainty golden sandal is the key to it all.
Publisher
In this adaptation of the well-loved fairy tale, the father still has his head in the clouds and the stepmother is as mean as ever. But this story is set in the Last Frontier, and its details and imagery reflect Alaska’s landscape and sensibility: the fairy godmother becomes an eagle spirit, the glass slipper a fisherwoman’s boot.
Publisher
By following her mother’s admonition to perform every task with care and love, a poor young Mexican girl wins the devotion of the governor’s son.
Infosoup
Cinderella : a French fairy tale — Little burnt face : a fairy tale from the Mimac Tribe of North America — Yeh-Shen : a Chinese fairy tale — Rhodopis : an Egyptian fairy tale.
Publisher
Once upon a time in Greece, fate left a young girl an orphan. Her stepmother was so hateful that she counted every drop of water the orphan drank But with the help of Nature’s blessings, the orphan was showered with gifts: brilliance from the Sun, beauty from the Moon, gracefulness from the Dawn–and even a tiny pair of blue shoes from the Sea. When the prince comes to visit their village, he only has eyes for the mysterious beauty.
Publisher
Becan, a poor boy belittled by his stepmother and stepsisters, rescues a princess in distress after meeting a magical bull.
Infosoup
More to come!!! There are SO MANY Cinderella stories to share wih you!
Shop Straw Tumblers from Takeya USA in New Colors!
Thought Provoking Reads 