This "new" fairytale is rather old. The story-line is slightly suggestive of Disney's Cinderella. But Walt & his artists' redition pales in comparison. Only one Author could write a story so amazing.
The Real Cinderella
Life was wonderful for Cinderella. She had been married for 10 years to her "prince". He & his family fled their home country & entered hers. Life was perfect: a dream come true.
But then things began to change. Eli, Cinderella's father-in-law, passed away. Then her brother-in-law. And then her prince. Suddenly, her perfect world was falling apart.
Left with nothing, Cinderella's mother-in-law, Mimi, desided to leave the country she had called home for a decade & return to the land of her people. Mimi blessed her daughters-in-law as she encouraged them to return to their families. They didn't want to leave her. They begged to return with Mimi to her home, but Mimi was resolute: she would return alone. Opi left, but Cinderella refused. She chose to give up everything, her home, her people, and her gods, just to stay with Mimi.
Mimi & Cinderella returned to Mimi's homeland completely destitute. They had nothing.
To provide for her aged mother-in-law & herself, Cinderella worked in local fields. Without knowing it, she began working in the field of the richest man in the land, Bo, who also happened to be a relation of Mimi. Bo noticed Cinderella. There was a sparkle in his eye as he asked his reapers who the foreign young lady was. When he was told, he could hardly contain his excitement. Bo's heart was racing when he met with Cinderell. He told her to only come to his field--he would make sure she left with plenty. He carefully concealed his identity; he did not want her to know who he was just yet.
At the end of the day she returned to Mimi with more than enough. Mimi was shocked & asked Cinderella to retell the events of her day. Cinderella shared everything, specifically the kindness of the rich land-owner, Bo. Mimi's eyes sparkled with excitement! Bo would be the natural & perfect match for Cinderella!
Mimi prepared a plan for Cinderella to meet with Bo. Following Mimi's explicit instructions, Cinderella met with Bo, asking him to fulfill his duty as a near kinsman by caring for Mimi & herself. Bo was delighted! But there was a problem. There was a man who was a closer relation & must be asked first. He sent Cinderella back to Mimi, reassuring her that he would rectify the situation.
Again, Cinderella returned to Mimi, telling her of Bo's promise. Mimi was encouraged, for Bo was a man of his word.
Early the next morning, Bo gathered officials of the city & the nearer relation of Mimi. As the men sat listening, Bo presented the relation with a grand opportunity--the land & wealth of Mimi's deceased husband. Greed swept through the relation. His eyes sparkled as he immediately agreed to claim the fortune.
"One more thing," said Bo, "you must also take Cinderella as your wife." (The laws of the land required a near relation to marry his deceased relation's wife in order to continue that man's family line.) That was a problem. The relation already had a wife & would not like another.
So, reluctantly, the man offered the wealth to Bo, who was next in line. The man took of his shoe (that's right, he lost a "slipper") to signify his promise to Bo.
Bo shook with excitement as he left the meeting. He ran quickly to the home of Mimi & told Cinderella the news. He was her prince!
Bo & Cinderella were married & soon Mimi was a gleaming grandma.
It is true, that Bo & Cinderella lived "happily ever after", but that is not the end of the story. You see, though she was a foreigner, Cinderella's great-grandson became the greatest king of that nation. And from that line came the an even greater king.
A fairytale written & recorded in a time which barely had history. A fairytale written by the most masterful Author, God Himself. If you haven't guessed already, the real Cinderella is Ruth of the Bible. Mimi is the faithful Naomi & her rich land-owning prince is Boaz. Their great-grandson is King David & from that line came the Savior of all mankind, Christ, the King of Kings.
