This is an animated version of my poem - Get Real: a modern take on the Cinderella story in which the well-meaning Fairy Godmother finds the tables turned as she gets the makeover instead!

This is adapted from the original version I wrote as follows:
Get Real!
My name’s Cinderella;
my mates call me Cin.

I’m fashionably scruffy and trendily thin.


I’ve got gorgeous skin
(it’s so good to be young)

a stud in my nose
and one more on my tongue.

Don’t want a boyfriend
tying me down.
I want a career
not a castle and crown.


I’ll tell you my story
(go on, take a chair)
it’s worth hearing trust me;
I know, I was there.

I was in the kitchen alone
late at night

when a noise from the scullery
gave me a fright.


I opened the door and saw
in that room

an ancient old hag
speaking out of the gloom.

“I'm your Fairy Godmother.”
Yes, it was she

walking into the kitchen
and talking to me.


“I have come to make sure
that you go to the ball,”

and she waggled her wand
at a hole in the wall.

She waggled it once,
waggled it twice,

sniffed and said sharply,
“There ought to be mice.”


“Mice in this kitchen!
No chance. No way.

There aren't even germs
thanks to anti-bac spray!”

“Oh never mind -
I’ll improve on your clothes

and I’ll soon heal up that thing
in your nose.


“Highlights in your hair
and a few well placed curls;

should result in you being
the cutest of girls.”

“Excuse me! Whatever?
Do I count at all?

No-one’s asked me
if I want to go to this ball.”

“But The Prince will be there
to make you his bride.”
“Stay there while I run
to Bermuda to hide.”

“But I don’t understand,
I’ve been thrown for a loop.

I brought this great pumpkin.”

“Great, make pumpkin soup.”


“I had planned glass slippers,
silk gloves and a hat.”

“I’d rather be dead
than be seen wearing that.”

Well after a talk
she at last saw the light.
As *F. godmothers go
she wasn’t too bright.

I suggested she watch
some cable t.v.

then took her to concerts
and clubbing with me.

F.G ditched her wings
and got a jet;
lost lots of weight
but better yet,

she got a boyfriend - name of Vince.

Yup, you guessed it. He’s the Prince.

Princey’s happy with dear F.G.

I’m ecstatic just being me.

*F. - fairy G. - godmother.

appears in Alternative Poetry Books - Pink edition by Michele Brenton aka banana_the_poet