Cinderella

What’s the moral of the Cinderella story? You know… the fairy tale, fairy godmother, wicked stepsisters, Prince Charming, the singing mice? What’s the whole point of all that?

It turns out, that depends on who you ask.

Steph asked me this (apparently loaded, since I could tell she was getting at something) question this evening. The conversation was prompted by this ad (or at least one in this campaign):

Steph: What do you think is the moral of the whole Cinderella story?
Doni: (Thinking…) Hmmm… Cinderella, fancy ball, wicked stepsisters, falls in love with Prince Charming… I dunno, I guess true love? That there’s someone out there for everyone?
Steph: (obviously having made her point) THANK YOU! Guys think that’s about underdogs.

At this point, the guys overheard our conversation and jumped in explaining the sports analogy about underdogs and “Cinderella stories.” I always thought a “Cinderella story” was a serendipitous romance story. I mean, I (we) get the analogy and how they’ve made it a sports thing, but that just shows the rift between men and women. Who knew it applied to the interpretation of fairy tales??? I always thought those were pretty universal.

I wonder what they think of Snow White…