Beneath the branches of the hazel tree, the orphan girl mourns in silence. Her wicked stepmother and stepsisters demand endless labor from dawn until dark. Her grieving father offers only a simple green twig as a parting gift. She plants it above her mother's grave and waters it with her bitter tears. She sits among the ashes to separate lentils dropped into the dirt. White doves descend from the sky to help her clear the floor. The festival begins in the nearby woods while she remains behind. She pleads with the tree for a gown to hide her wretched rags. A shimmering silver and gold dress falls down from the leaves above. She enters the great hall where the prince watches her with wonder. No one recognizes the maid hidden beneath the brilliant disguise. She slips away before the night ends to hide back in the kitchen. The second night brings an even richer gown of gold and silk. The prince attempts to follow her as she flees into the pigeon house. She escapes his grasp and climbs back through the dusty kitchen hearth. Her father believes she might be hiding in the empty pigeon coop. The third night arrives and she wears a dress of pure blinding light. She runs away, but the palace staircase is smeared with sticky pitch. Her golden slipper remains glued to the steps as the clock strikes midnight. The prince takes the tiny shoe and swears to find its rightful owner. The royal guards search every village for the foot that fits the slipper. The elder sister slices off her own heel to force her foot inside. Two white doves circle overhead and cry out a bloody warning. The prince notices the crimson stain soaking through the fine white leather. The younger sister cuts off her toes to make the shoe fit. She rides away beside the prince until the doves scream from the trees. He looks down and sees blood dripping from the edge of the shoe. He turns his horse around and brings the false bride back to her home. The true maiden appears from the ashes to slide her foot inside the shoe. The prince recognizes his bride and lifts her onto his horse. The wedding day arrives and the wicked sisters walk behind the procession. The faithful doves swoop down and strike their eyes blind with eternal darkness.
