An Islamic twist to the popular tale of Cinderella, IiWords : presents Aasiyah and the Silver ring - Duke Shan Once upon a time in a far, far land from the heart of Persia, there lived a man who was a trader. He had a beautiful young daughter who was so pious. Her mother named her Aasiyah before she died leaving the little girl when she was 14. Since the trader often left his home for his business, he wanted someone to look after his beautiful daughter, so the trader remarried another woman who already had two daughters. One was fat as a tree trunk and the other was thin as a matchstick with cruel minds just like their wicked mother. Aasiyah loved her one family, but they hated her to the core. They pretended as they cared for her in the presence of the trader and treated her like a servant while he was away for his business, but Aasiyah never complained. She tolerated everything and tried to be nice with her stepmother and elder siblings. She was patient for she knew Allah is with the people who are patient. Though she was the owner of a big house, Aasiyah was ordered to sleep in the attic, which was a home for mice searching for rice. Whenever her father returned back home from long distance places where he selled the goods, Aasiyah's step mother asked her to sleep in a big room on a comfy bed, not because she turned good, but to show her husband how much she cared for his first daughter in his absence. The poor trader believed them and left his princess in these evil's hands. Whenever Aasiah was worried for the way her stepmother and siblings behaved with her; she spoke and dumped all her sorrows to a ring made of silver, which was her mother's gift. It had a beautiful patter carved on it with the letter 'A' and olive leaves in a circle form. It was specially designed for her as an Eid gift. Aasiyah never showed it to her stepmother and siblings for she feared they might take it from her, as they took all other belongings. That ring was the only thing she treasured with much care. Sometimes at night after finishing the household works, given by her stepmother, Aasiyah would speak with that beautiful ring. She shared her sorrows with that metal band which eased her pain of missing her mother. Days passed as the time moved. The wicked woman showed no mercy on that little girl, but turned more evil day by day. She cared her daughters more and bought them new dresses with the money her husband gave for his three children but Aasiyah was given her stepsisters' old ragged clothes to wear. One day, the Prince of Persia visited the market at the heart of Persia like an ordinary man with his friends. Since he was bored of selecting a bride that his father chose for him, he himself searched for the woman born for him. The king selected the princesses from the entire kingdom around his country for them to marry his son. They all had beauty and wealth but no honesty nor were they pious. The Prince wanted his wife to be a person who is feared of Allah. He was ready to marry such a girl even if she is poor, so he searched the market for such a woman. When he crossed passed a grape fruit shop, the Prince happened to see a young woman who was covering her face and speaking with the fruit seller. She was wearing ragged clothes but still she looked good. The Prince drew closer to listen what they are speaking of. He walked to that shop as a customer. No one identified it was the Prince for he was wearing makeup on his face to hide his identity. "But you can have them" said the fruit seller. "No, I paid only for 50" that young woman spoke, "you have given me extra two." The Prince silently listened to them as he looked at the grape fruits of different colours that made him mouth watering. "No problem, you can keep them." the fruit seller was kind. "No, I'll pay for them," said the woman. She untied her pouch and took out some copper coins, "my mother taught me not to take anything that doesn't belong to you. Please keep these coins for those extra fruits." The fruit seller took the coins with a smile. Then soon the woman left the place. "Such an honest woman, what you want?" the fruit seller asked the Prince. The Prince smiled and asked for 10 grape fruits. "She had travelled a long distance just to pay for those two grape fruits." said the fruit seller while counting the fruits for his customer. The Prince was amazed as to hear him. Even in such poverty, she was honest. So he decided to marry her for her honesty. "Do you know where she comes from?" he asked the seller. "No, but from a long distance." hearing those words from the fruit seller, his dreams started to thaw. The Prince worried for missing her but Allah has good plans. The Prince saw something shining on that hot soil of the desert land. He ducked to pick it up and found a silver ring. "Is this your ring?" he asked the fruit seller. The fruit seller took it in his fingers and looked closely. "No. It must be hers, I have seen her wearing it." said the seller. "She must have dropped when she took the coins" The lost hopes bloomed in the heart of The Prince. "Give it to me. I'll find and give her" said the Prince. "How do I believe you?" asked the fruit seller. The Prince revealed his identity and left to his Palace. He related the story to his father and said his idea to marry that young woman. The king denied at the start but accepted later. Soon the kings men sent all around his kingdom to invite all the family for a dinner at The Palace. The message reached the ears of that wicked woman and she was overjoyed. The day of feast reached and she prepared to go for the dinner with her two daughters. Aasiyah asked her stepmother to take her with them, but poor Aasiya's request was denied. The evil woman said there are lots of household works and asked this little girl to fetch water. Then she left to the Palace with her two daughters. They went in the best attire. Having no choice the little Aasiyah went to fetch water at twilight. "Where are you going young lady?" she was stopped by a voice. "To fetch water," she replied to the man on a donkey cart. "You didn't go for the feast?" spoke a woman sat next to that man. "No, my mother asked me to fetch water." though she was sad, she smiled at the man in the cart. "Where is your mother?" "She went for the feast."Allah! What a wicked woman she must be.” Thought those people on that donkey cart. "This is a life time opportunity, you can fetch water whenever you want but you can't dine in a Palace. Come with us. We're going to the feast." They invited her kindly. Aasiyah thought for a while and agreed. The husband and wife took her to their home and gave her a good dress to wear. Since they had no children, they cared this girl like their own daughter. Soon they left to the Palace and reached few minutes before the dinner was served. Everyone there was in beautiful dress. After the feast, the king gathered all the family in the Grand Hall and announced the reason for organizing this party. A whisper went through the hall and some young woman started to shout the ring belongs to them in the hope of marrying the Prince. Aasiyah checked her pouch and found her ring is missing. The guards asked the parent to bring their daughters to the stage to check if the ring fits their fingers. Aasiyah's stepmother was the third in the line with her two daughters. Their turn came and the wicked woman shouted it is their ring. The queen tried to put the ring on one of her daughter's finger and failed since her hand was beefy. And checked on the other girl's finger and it slipped so fast since her finger was thin. Realizing the situation Aasiyah tried to leave the place. But those two kind hearted people who brought her here asked her to stay. Having no choice she stayed. The Prince curiously watched his mother testing the girls in order to find whose silver ring it was. The Prince got bored and yawned. Then came the turn of Aasiyah who was the last in the line. She was covering her face among the few other young woman who covered. The Prince brought back his lost hopes when he saw her. He looked at her anticipated. The queen put the ring on her hand and it perfectly matched. Everyone looked at the scene, their jaws dropped. Aasiya's stepmother found who it was. The fire of jealous burnt in her stomach. The king inquired. Aasiyah didn't reply. They finally confirmed the ring belonged to her since she reserved silence. The Prince spoke with her with a joy. He told her the reason for choosing her. Aasiyah didn't know what to do at the begining. But then agree to marry The Prince. Knowing the truth her stepmother realized her faults and repented. Aasiyah was kind enough to forgive her stepmother and sisters. Soon they married when her father returned home hearing the news. He gave his lovely daughter married to The Prince of Persia. Then they lived happily-ever-after. END. Feel Free TO TAG /SHARe