She places her jaded heart in a small begging bowl and kneels before him. He dispenses his fondness like loose change - amusing himself with her expression of gratitude. For a fleeting moment they both pretend that the exchange of value has occurred. She remembers a time when he needed her with enthusiasm. She remembers a time when they all did tricks for her. She remembers who she was and the power of seduction; the power of youth, a pretty face, sexuality and energy. She dreamed dreams of all things possible. Of course the greatest fantasy of echoes through her woman-child thoughts "I want to become a bride". She so vividly recalls her wedding day, it was all she ever needed and often thinks of it as her 'princess day'.
Daddy called her Princess as he tucked her into bed during the night. She thought she was his princess and never questioned his predictions of one day being a wonderful woman, falling madly in love and living happily-ever after.
What a joke. What a great big fat lie. Was she really so deluded? Was it bad luck, bad judgment, bad choices or will be the dream for only 'the others'. It probably never occurred to her that the Princess by definition should stay youthful and lovely.
Girls were not really anticipated to be bothered too much with things such as instruction or finance. That was unless you were a 'Plain Jane'. No, boys hate girls if they are too smart anyway. Beauty could be the important thing - asthma is everything. Beauty is your ticket into 'happily ever after'.
(I wondered about the girl who kissed the frog who became the prince. A lot of warts I would anticipate and likely that isn't too far from reality both.)
Well I don't know who had warts or who had what; I was only monitoring and questioning. I saw guys who drank too much and yelled too loud. Girls in thread bare dresses and grubby little kids hanging off them. Hair in plastic curlers and clothes pegs in mouths. Daytime soaps and talkback radio. I surely knew nothing about 'all the wealth in the land'. Enough to buy fags for the week plus a punt to the pony's perhaps, but no diamonds or mink coats that were the status symbols at the time.
Things have changed somewhat since then and girls of today are at least questioning a few of the problems. Fortunately, woman now are getting education, great jobs and separate incomes. Many, are also finding they are quite effective at looking after youngsters on their very own rather than enduring violent relationships. To hear girls talk you'd think they actually have examined and solved their Cinderella conflicts, but have they?
Does intellectual really root out those childhood expectations? Do we still believe that a girl should be cerebral palsy to pull and keep a partner? How much of our happiness and security depends of our youth and sexuality?
Are not successful, intelligent, middle aged women still in secret dreaming of 'Him'. One marriage, two marriage, three marriage, four!
Perhaps if Cindella Part 2 had ever been written we may have discovered that Cinderella did really live happily ever after. She may have passed through the normal periods of life with elegance and attraction. She may have surrendered the things of youth readily and naturally as she advanced into a complete and competent woman within her own right. Possibly her prince's initial lust and fascination gave way to a deeper reverence, friendship and trust that formed this type of bond and heavy real love, that they did really live happily ever after. Just isn't it possible that her warmth, generosity, wisdom, humour and authentic character were of higher value as they both evolved Read More Here
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