麻豆社

By Hettie Denton

All the fair maidens of the city, crowded around the lamp post, straining to see the poster for the royal ball at Charming Castle. Surrounded by squeals of excitement, two step sisters rubbed their chins thoughtfully. This could make them their fortune!

Prince Charming was looking for a wife! He had invited every girl to the ball. They would all need a dress. Only the most fashionable dresses would do. Some were even planning to travel to Milan, Paris and New York to see what the most fashionable dresses were.

Meanwhile, the step sisters had returned to their boutique - Dresses by Drizella - and were planning their latest get rich quick scheme. The only question was, would the fair maidens, in their attempt to be fashionable, fall for their trick?

The next day, Miss Jane Fancypants entered the shop.
"Welcome to Dresses by Drizella. What can I do for you today?" said Anastasia with a sickly sweet smile.
"I want the very latest ballgown. It must be the very best!"
"Come this way, madam. I have just the thing" said Drizella.
When Miss Jane Fancypants looked in the mirror, she was flabagasted. She was in a very tight, skinny Victorian swimming costume, with red stripes and shorts down to her knees!
"Are you sure this is the very latest in style?" she asked, confused.
"Oh yes. Everyone is wearing it in Milan!"
"Well, if it's good enough for Milan, it's good enough for me! Do you have any shoes to go with it?"
"Funny you should ask, we've just had the latest style in and remember bigger is better" said Anastasia, holding out a pair of clown shoes!

The next day, Lady Julie Snootycat, entered the shop.
"Welcome to Dresses by Drizella. What can I do for you today?" said Anastasia with a sickly sweet smile.
"I want the very latest ballgown. It must be the very best!"
"Come this way, madam. I have just the thing" said Drizella.
When Lady Julie Snootcat, looked in the mirror, she was horrified. She was in a bright yellow mackintosh that reached down to the floor.
"Are you sure this is the very latest in style?" she asked, confused.
"Oh yes. Everyone is wearing it in New York!"
"Well, if it's good enough for New York, it's good enough for me! Do you have any shoes to go with it?"
"Funny you should ask, we've just had the latest style in and remember brighter is better" said Anastasia, holding out a pair of bright scarlet wellies!

In the following days, all the maidens of the city came into the boutique. They left with everything from football kits to bin bags with the step sisters always insisting they were the latest trend.

On the evening of the ball, the castle was filled with girls wearing the strangest things. All except for two sisters. They wore the most beautiful, flowing ballgowns!
"I can't believe they fell for it!" they smiled, looking lovingly at the Prince!