The Egyptian Cinderella
Written by Shirley Climo
Illustrated by Ruth Heller
Crowell Books, 1989
Written by Shirley Climo
Illustrated by Ruth Heller
Crowell Books, 1989
Picture Book, Traditional Literature 2-5
Summary: In the land of Egypt there lived a young maiden named Rhodopis. She did not look like any of the other Egyptian girls because she had green eyes instead of brown and thin, straight hair instead of thick, dark hair, and her skin was sun burnt pink instead of copper. The other servant girls teased Rhodopis and ordered her about cruelly, so she found friends in the animals such as the birds, a monkey, and a hippotamus who she sang to.
Sometimes she would dance for her animal friends. One evening her master awoke to see her dancing. He decided that she had a special gift and deserved to no longer be barefoot. He gave her a pair of beautiful slippers made of rose-red gold that sparkled like fireflies.
When the other servant girls went to see the Pharaoh, Rhodopis had to stay behind. While she was working on the chores, a falcon flew by and snatched one of her slippers. The falcon took the slipper to the Pharaoh, dropping it in his lap. He thinks that it is the will of the gods to find the girl whose foot would fit in the slipper. During his search, he could not find a woman whose foot was small enough to fit in the slipper. When he finally arrives with his chariot and army to the home of Rhodopis, she hides in the river reeds. The Pharaoh sees her and has her try on the slipper which fits! She also pulls the other slipper from her tunic. When the other servants declared that she is not even Egyptian, the Pharaoh says that her eyes are as green as the Nile, her hair as feathery as papyrus, and her skin the pink of a lotus flower.
Response: This story is different from other Cinderella stories in a few ways. One is that Rhodopis did not have sisters who were cruel to her. The servant girls were cruel to her. There was also not any magic included in this story. Most Cinderella stories include a bit of magic. The fact that this story is fact and fable makes this very interesting! This is similar to other Cinderella stories because the “prince” was trying to find the lady whose foot fit into a slipper and that she was an unlikely choice because she was not a royal subject but a servant girl. I enjoyed reading this Cinderella story, for it is very unique.
Teaching Ideas: Students can be given a geography lesson with this book. The real Rhodopis that this story was based upon, was taken from her home in Greece and taken across the sea to Egypt. Students can see the route that was taken. The history of Egypt as well as religion, families, education, work, art and education can be researched and discussed with students. This information could be compared to the life portrayed in The Egyptian Cinderella.
Summary: In the land of Egypt there lived a young maiden named Rhodopis. She did not look like any of the other Egyptian girls because she had green eyes instead of brown and thin, straight hair instead of thick, dark hair, and her skin was sun burnt pink instead of copper. The other servant girls teased Rhodopis and ordered her about cruelly, so she found friends in the animals such as the birds, a monkey, and a hippotamus who she sang to.
Sometimes she would dance for her animal friends. One evening her master awoke to see her dancing. He decided that she had a special gift and deserved to no longer be barefoot. He gave her a pair of beautiful slippers made of rose-red gold that sparkled like fireflies.
When the other servant girls went to see the Pharaoh, Rhodopis had to stay behind. While she was working on the chores, a falcon flew by and snatched one of her slippers. The falcon took the slipper to the Pharaoh, dropping it in his lap. He thinks that it is the will of the gods to find the girl whose foot would fit in the slipper. During his search, he could not find a woman whose foot was small enough to fit in the slipper. When he finally arrives with his chariot and army to the home of Rhodopis, she hides in the river reeds. The Pharaoh sees her and has her try on the slipper which fits! She also pulls the other slipper from her tunic. When the other servants declared that she is not even Egyptian, the Pharaoh says that her eyes are as green as the Nile, her hair as feathery as papyrus, and her skin the pink of a lotus flower.
Response: This story is different from other Cinderella stories in a few ways. One is that Rhodopis did not have sisters who were cruel to her. The servant girls were cruel to her. There was also not any magic included in this story. Most Cinderella stories include a bit of magic. The fact that this story is fact and fable makes this very interesting! This is similar to other Cinderella stories because the “prince” was trying to find the lady whose foot fit into a slipper and that she was an unlikely choice because she was not a royal subject but a servant girl. I enjoyed reading this Cinderella story, for it is very unique.
Teaching Ideas: Students can be given a geography lesson with this book. The real Rhodopis that this story was based upon, was taken from her home in Greece and taken across the sea to Egypt. Students can see the route that was taken. The history of Egypt as well as religion, families, education, work, art and education can be researched and discussed with students. This information could be compared to the life portrayed in The Egyptian Cinderella.
Students can also discuss Egyptians and their fashion of clothing. How is it different from the way that we dress?
Students will also find the Nile River can be discussed in more detail. The Nile provides the Egyptian people many resources such as food and water supply.
The author states that this is one of the world’s oldest Cinderella stories. It was first recorded by the Roman historian Strabo in the first century B.C. This is an interesting concept for students to learn. Also the fact that Rhodopis is a real person is even more interesting! She was a Greek slave girl who married the Pharaoh Amasis in 570-526 B.C.
The author states that this is one of the world’s oldest Cinderella stories. It was first recorded by the Roman historian Strabo in the first century B.C. This is an interesting concept for students to learn. Also the fact that Rhodopis is a real person is even more interesting! She was a Greek slave girl who married the Pharaoh Amasis in 570-526 B.C.
1 comment:
Yes, you are right; this is a "different" version, but as we explore the elements this evening, see what you think :)
I love reading your blogs because I can always count on the external links you provide! Thanks Rachel!
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