Stephen Sondheim
Cinderella At The Grave
[NARRATOR, spoken]
Cinderella had planted a branch at the grave of her mother and she visited there so often, and wept so much, that her tears watered it until it had become a handsome tree.
[CINDERELLA]
I've been good and I've been kind, Mother
Doing only what I learned from you
Why, then, am I left behind, Mother
Is there something more that I should do?
What is wrong with me, Mother?
Something must be wrong
I wish—
[CINDERELLA'S MOTHER, spoken]
What, child? Specify. Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor and good fortune, like bad, can befall whеn least expectеd
[CINDERELLA, spoken]
I wish...
[CINDERELLA'S MOTHER]
Do you know what you wish?
Are you certain what you wish
Is what you want?
If you know what you want
Then make a wish
Ask the tree
And you shall have your wish
[CINDERELLA]
Shiver and quiver, little tree
Silver and gold throw down on me
I'm off to get my wish...