Ella was so happy standing at the altar taking her vows with her prince. Her
prince- hers only, and hers forever.
"Do you Ella take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" the old
priest asked.
Ella looked up into Christopher's baby blue eyes as the light shined from his
thick blonde hair. "I do," she said.
"And do you Prince Christopher Charming take this maiden to be your lawfully
wedded wife?" the priest asked.
Prince Christopher looked down at his bride. "I do," he answered with an
absolutely charming smile.
They exchanged rings, and finally the priest pronounced, "I now pronounce
you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!" And with that, the royal Prince
Christopher held Ella- the girl of the cinders, in his brawny arms and planted a
passionate kiss on her lips. The nobles bowed their heads in reverence, the
townspeople cheered, and the peasants rejoiced. There wasn't a doubt that the two
would live happily ever after.
* * *
"Everyday I work in the stables, baling hay, and cleaning up horse manure.
There must be more to life than this meaningless labor..." Westley grumbled to
himself. He was a farm boy for a small family.
"Pssssttt... there is a secret... a secret that could either destroy you or make
you rich as Humperdink himself..." a voice whispered.
"Come out and defend yourself!" Westley grabbed the pitchfork and held it up
for protection.
"Good friend, I am but a crippled donkey..." the donkey stepped out. It was
clothed in a vest and knickers and even had a hat, a strange sight for a donkey.
"A talking donkey?! I must be going mad..." Wesley said out loud dropping the
pitchfork.
"They call me Pinnochio..." the donkey said.
"But- but..." Westley stammered.
"The stories are true. I was a puppet, and I was changed into a boy by the
blue fairy. However, against Gepetto's wishes, I went back to Pleasure Island... and
that is why I am a donkey again. They always end the tales at the good parts, don't
they?" Pinnochio brayed.
"I guess, but what does this have to do with me?" Westley asked.
"Heh, heh... well, let's just say that you weren't the good part of a fairy tale..."
Pinnochio chuckled to himself.
"What do you mean by that?" Westley asked defensively.
"Well, you've heard the tale of Cinderella before, haven't you?" Pinnochio
asked Wesley.
"Of course, who hasn't?" Westley replied sarcastically.
"Hmmm... it looks like we're going to be here for a long time. Sit boy, and I
will tell you of all that has happened," Pinnochio sat in the hay and motioned for
Wesley to sit beside him.
"I can't believe I'm talking to a donkey..." Westley shook his head and sat.
"Once upon a time....."