Anklet for a Princess

By Lila Mehta, Youshan Tang (Illustrator)

Part of the Cinderella Around the World series

A magical lake and a snake godfather transform Cinduri's fate at a festival, capturing a prince's heart.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 111 ratings

32 pages

$11.95Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In an Indian village, Cinduri toils under her stepmother's harsh rule, dreaming of freedom. Her only solace is a magical lake where Godfather Snake resides. When the Prince visits during the Navaratri Festival, Godfather Snake gifts Cinduri a dazzling sari and diamond anklets, allowing her to attend. Amidst vibrant celebrations, she captures the Prince's heart, but will her enchanted night last? This tale weaves Indian culture with the timeless magic of Cinderella, offering a fresh twist on a beloved story.

From the publisher

Part of the Cinderella Around the World series, this is a variation of the Cinderella story set in India.Cinduri has a lot of work to do. Every day she walks to the lake to fetch drinking water, milks the cow, cleans the house, prepares the meals, cleans the animal pens, and sells vegetables. Her stepmother and stepsister, however, don’t do any of the work. They just order Cinduri about and give her a bowl of rice and a few leftovers to eat. The lake, however, is full of magic. When Godfather Snake hears of Cinduri’s troubles, he vows to make her life easier. And when the Prince comes to visit the village during the annual Navaratri Festival, Godfather Snake makes it possible for her to go, dressed in the most beautiful gold-threaded sari and sparkling diamond anklets. It is there that she wins the heart of the Prince. Adapted from the East Indian story Nagami (Jewel of the Snake), this version of the tale is rich with the traditions and culture of India while also conveying the universal values of the Cinderella story. Beautiful watercolor depictions of Indian life and styles accompany this introduction to Indian folklore.

At a glance