Throughout time many people have been entertained and inspired by the tales of the Brothers Grimm. From Cinderella who loses her glass slipper at the Royal Ball later to be reunited with her Prince Charming, to Rumpelstiltskin who rescued a young girl from one king's punishment by spinning straw into gold. These are the tales that we remember as we grow older as adults. The Brothers Grimm were authors to a great multitude of memorable tales. These stories later inspired many great movie classics from the world renowned Walt Disney, all of which end happily, of course. But did the original fairy tales actually have happy endings? Let's take a closer look.

In the original tale of Cinderella, we see a more hardened reality for the poor maiden. She was forced to do all of the household chores, and was ridiculed and punished by her two step-sisters. She had no room to sleep in a bed, so she fell asleep in the cinders of the fireplace, which gave her name "Cinderella."

She befriended a small white bird who granted her wishes when she wanted for something. When the King arranged for a three day festival in which all of the town's maidens were to arrive, the three sisters felt eager to go. Even so, Cinderella wasn't allowed to attend the festival according to her step-mother's challenging wishes and embarrassment. So, she went to the white bird and made a wish, then became dressed in a beautiful gold and silver gown with matching slippers. She went to the festival and met with the Prince, whom danced with her throughout the night. When she was ready to leave the festival, she had to run away and hide. And this occurred on each of the other two nights of the festival.

The Prince was determined to find his true Princess, so he took the slipper that Cinderella had left behind and searched for her. He arrived at Cinderella's home, but first the two sisters each tried to fit the slippers to their foot, even damaging their own feet to do so. But, the Prince could see the truth. He questioned Cinderella's father of whether he had another daughter, and he replied with embarrassment when the Prince saw Cinderella lying in the ashes. But, the Prince knew her face immediately and wanted to take her away to be married in his kingdom. Before leaving, Cinderella met once again with her bird companions. Once their marriage took place, the two step-sisters wanted to plead with Cinderella that she give them a portion of her riches, but the two sisters were only to be sent away, their eyes picked at by the birds.

What would Cinderella do during current times? In today's version of Cinderella, we see that she is a happy, young maiden who meets her fairy godmother who helps her find her dreams. She falls in love with her Prince Charming, whom takes her away to his kingdom to live happily ever after. As time is always changing, so do we and our views, goals, and dreams, from new to old and from silver to gold, to a never-ending circle of happy endings.