The Midnight Ball
“It is a great advantage to have intelligence, courage, good breeding, and common sense., but even these may fail to bring you success without the blessing of a godmother.” -Charles Perrault, “Cinderella” *** On the table sat a handkerchief, a book, and a knife. Zezolla picked them up one at a time, slowly comprehending what it all meant. When she turned around she had tears in her eyes. “Oh Madrina, can I really?” The old woman sat on her three-legged stool. The basement was dark except for one candle. Somewhere in the dark there was a hissing sound, and unseen things scurried around both women’s feet, but neither minded. “It’s a fool idea and I’ll live to regret it, but I did promise,” said Madrina. “You know the rules, though: only until the first stroke …