Once upon a time,in a beautiful cottage by a flowery meadow somewhere in the French countryside,there lived a man named Luath Courd'gai and his daughter Paulette. Luath was a kind,loving father. He loved Paulette very much and tried everything he could to keep his child happy.
Paulette was very beautiful inside and out and everyone who had met her loved her for she was kind-hearted and optimistic. Not to mention,she was very talented. When she was only five years old,her mother taught her how to sew. Paulette would use her sewing abilities to make her very own hand puppets and with them,she loved to use her imagination and make up her own stories. She had also taught herself to play the guitar and she'd always had a wonderful singing voice.
Though it was tragic losing her mother as a child,Paulette still remained looking on the bright side of life. Because of her cheerful attitude,Luath would say,since his wife was gone,that Paulette was the light of his life. She always had a way to brighten up any sad situation.
With or without her mother,Paulette felt that her life was wonderful just because she loved living it. She was friends with just about everyone,even all of the animals. She would come out to the meadow everyday to enjoy the beautiful scenery and had little animals friends come to visit her;There was a fawn,two fox cubs(a brother and sister),a bunny,a squirrel,a skunk kitten and two little songbirds named Danielle and Claire. Paulette had such fun with her animal friends and they would always be ready to cheer her up if she ever felt sad,though,Paulette was happy most of the time.
As happy as his daughter was,Luath still felt like Paulette was in need of a mother's care. So,one day,he married again. His new wife,Madame Amella Ferregal,was a beautiful and wealthy woman. But,she wasn't as beautiful as Paulette,which made Madame Ferregal rather jealous of the young woman.
A month later,Luath became very ill and and soon passed away. Paulette grieved for the loss of her dear father. Her stepmother,however,showed no pity at all. It was then Paulette could see Madame Ferregal's true nature. She was a vain and cold-hearted woman who cared nothing for the girl or her father. Since then,Paulette had been dressed in rags and forced to work as Madame Ferregal's servant,having to do everything for her without a break. She even made Paulette sleep in the coldest,murkiest room in the house with an uncomfortable bed.
One morning,Paulette went out to the well to fetch a bucket of water. Her little animal friends came along and noticed she looked very sad.
"Paulette,what's wrong?" Chirped Danielle. "You look rather upset!"
"Today's the day of the Festival of Fools." Paulette explained. "Me and Daddy used to go every year,but,this year,Daddy's gone and Madame Ferregal says we can't go."
"Why not?" Asked the bunny,hopping up to her.
"Well,it's all just because she hates gypsies." Paulette told her animal friends. "She says they're evil. They don't seem evil at all to me and my father never had anything against them."
"Why can't you just go by yourself?" Asked one of the foxes.
"Yes!" Agreed the other fox. "You're old enough to make your own choices."
"Madame Ferregal would be furious." Paulette answered. "She never wants me to do anything but work for her all day."
"That's her own problem!" Claire piped up. "She shouldn't be the one to tell you what to do. If you want to go to the festival,just go! Don't let that witch stop you!"
"That's right,Paulette." Danielle agreed. "It's not right for someone to take control of your life and you don't have to let them. You just gotta follow your heart."
Paulette smiled and nodded. "You're right!"
"PAULETTE!" A loud and threatening voice was suddenly heard,sending the animals scurrying off. Paulette's heart raced as Madame Ferregal stormed out of the house,shouting,"What's taking you so long,you worthless fool? Get in here with my water!"
"Alright! Sorry!" Paulette said quickly. She picked up the bucket of water which was filled to the brim. It was heavy,so,Paulette tried to carry it slowly and carefully. Madame Ferregal was getting impatient.
"Can't you go any faster?" She snapped.
Then,she shoved Paulette so hard that it caused her to fall down and spill all of the water onto the ground.
"Now,look what you've done,you clumsy wretch!" Madame Ferregal screamed.
"Well,if you hadn't pushed me..." Paulette began,but,her stepmother interuptted her.
"Don't argue with me!" She yelled. "Just get back to work and don't slack off!" And with that,Madame Ferregal stormed back into the house.
Feeling hurt,Paulette got on her feet,picked up the bucket and headed back to the well. She wondered why she should even work for such a cruel woman while all SHE did was just sit down and admire her reflection. Paulette could take no more. She slammed down the bucket and exclaimed,"I've had it! I'm not going to let that horrible snob push me around anymore! I'm 20 and a half years old and I have the right to make my own decisions. I'm off to the Festival!"
And in a flash,Paulette was off and gone. Her animals friends cheered for her. Paulette longed for ridding the misery of living with Madame Ferregal and,to her luck,her life was about to change.