You must have heard of me. The wicked stepmother? Not true. It's just another one of Cinderella's wild stories. Not as wild as the one about the pumpkin. And the fairy godmother. The real story, the true story, began with some chatter and dust.

All I ever wanted was a husband and a mansion.Before I married Cindy's father, my two darlings and I had met Cindy only a few times. The girl had seemed normal then. After I married Cindy's father, my darlings and I moved in. When I had just one foot on the front step, my dear husband kissed me goodbye and said, "I'm off on business!" "He leaves often,'' Cindy said, ''but the animals stay put. They talk. They joke. They even help out-especially the blue birds.''

Now, I don't mind a story. But I like facts, not fiction. Soon the girl was talking all kinds of hokey-pokey. ''Once upon a time,'' Cindy said, '' A bluebird became blue. Not the color, the feeling. His friend had flown south...'' My darlings and I were stuck near the front door, I just wanted to put away my bags, and that's when I saw it: dust. ''Dear, is this whole house this dusty?'' I asked. ''I don't know.'' Cindy said. ''I'll give you a tour!!''

In the dining room Cindy told stories. In the study Cindy told stories. Nonstop. ''Girls,'' I said, ''time to get to work. This place needs a good cleaning.'' ''Once upon a time, when I was cleaning,'' Cindy started.

Oh Boy.

Cindy mopped the floor. But she finished so fast! My darlings had barely started. ''Did you know robins and sparrows are my friends?'' said Cindy. ''But sparrows don't like robins. Silly creatures! Once upon a time one of the robins-'' ''Cindy dear,'' I said ''why don't you go and wash the clothes now, hmm?''

But Cindy washed them so fast! How on earth did she do it? I had to find another chore for her, just to keep her busy. ''If there's one thing squirrels love, it's washing clothes!'' Cindy said, ''But the rats would rather iron. You know one day I-'' ''Squirrels and rats doing the laundry? Quit telling such foolish stories!'' I said.

Time passed, but nothing changed. In the garden Cindy told stories. In the kitchen, Cindy told stories. At dinner, I couldn't hear myself think. ''Dear please,'' I said,

''Stop Talking!''

But Cindy didn't stop.