Cinderella, one of the best-known fairy tales, has over 340 variations and can be traced back as far 850-60 CE (Common Era), where a version was written in China.
- Perrault's version gives Cinderella a godmother with no apparent connection to the spirit of her mother; it is this version which gives us the pumpkin, mice and fairy godmother, and which has become the most well-known version of the tale. The dead mother (and Cinderella's ashes imply mourning) who watches over her daughter disappears.