After her father passes away, Cinderella is wrenched from the quiet world that had been so familiar to her. Her step-mother and step-sisters then impose the most tiresome housework on the orphaned girl. The household cat, known for his tendency of getting into trouble, is also abused and reprimanded.

Cinderella, however, doesn't give into despair. Several supportive friends always manage to cheer her up; in particular, her beloved Chouchou, Bingo, Patch, and Papy: two mice, a dog, and a little bird, respectively, all of them familiar with human speech thanks to Madame Paulette, an absent-minded neighbour who weilds a powerful magic wand. But when a great sadness then sweeps over everybody, the beautiful melody of a carillon (the only memento of Cinderella's departed mother) has the power to cheer everybone up.

Cinderella's sweet naivety and overcoming desire to live involve and enchant several characters who will play a role in her life. Among them, the enamoured violinist, the young stroller, the mysterious fortune-teller, the Duke's conceited daughter, and even some poor young thieves, each whom will recognize his/her own maturation and inspiration after having met her. The enigmatic Charles, however, is the one who will experience the greatest of changes.

A young rebel who despises all forms of constraint, Charles is often forced to lie in order to hide his true noble identity of the Prince of Emerald Country. The wicked Duke Zaral is more than willing to take possession of the throne, and is strongly determined to eliminate Charles, the only true obstacle in his goal's achievement. Aided and abetted by Cinderella and her team of friends, the young prince is involved in a series of "coup de theatre" leading to the dramatic climax: the duel!

Fortunately, a happy ending is guaranteed - a conclusion in which a subtle game of fear and desire will reveal Cinderella's identity due to what appears to be the work of a fairy ...  more precicesly, the "minor" inconvenience she suffers having "lost" her glass slipper whilst running hurriedly down the stairs!