Cinderella

What do we mean when we call something a "Cinderella story"?

The short answer is a metaphorical expression of rags-to-riches, especially if there is an against-the-odds miracle - but there are plenty variants (as I recently learned from a blog). Origins of Cinderella go all the way back to 1967 (French version) and as early as the 9th century (Chinese version). For now, a Cinderella story refers to a good thing happening to someone nice, concludes the blogger.

Here, then, is my definition of the fairy Cinderella story: Have courage, and be kind.

For those of you who have watched (and go if you haven't) Disney's new live-action Cinderella movie (I went with Jasmine two weeks ago), you should remember this great secret. A secret taught by the mom of Ella, the main character in the movie: "Have courage and be kind, that will see you through all trials life has to offer."

And thanks to this movie directed by Kenneth Branagh, Ella jump-starts my daughter's cinema experience. That's her first time in the cinema. She had enjoyed the pumpkin carriage journey with Ella. Obviously I'm happy that my daughter remembers the lesson to have courage and be kind.

We watched the second movie two days ago. Not a Disney movie this time. No fairy or godmother there, and no magic spell to turn a pumpkin into a magnificent carriage. A local movie titled Little Big Master, based on a true story of an inspirational teacher (think Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society) who takes up the job of a village school principal-cum-janitor. Alas, with merely five students and on a salary of HK$4,500 a month. Dicey though it may be, the village school principal didn't cut back on how much she loves the kids; she cut their school fee instead.

There's no medium like this movie to let us know the pleasure of teaching, and the exemplary way to have courage and be kind.