Rhodopsis, the Egyptian Cinderella
Narrator: The Greek historian Strabo recorded the story of an Egyptian Cinderella around the first century BCE.
Long ago by the blue waters of the Mediterranean pirates captured a young maiden and sold her as a slave in Egypt.
Her owner was a kind, but vague man who spent most of his time beneath a sycamore tree thinking deep thoughts.
He never noticed how the servant girls treated the slave girl, Rhodopsis.
Scene I: (a garden by the river)
Meri: The Master says that today we must grind the grain, bake the bread, weed the garden and wash the linen.
Nekatu: What a lot of work. And it so hot.
Tiy: Let’s make Rhodopsis Rosy Cheek do it. I don’t like her. She’s not Egyptian.
Meri: That’s a good idea. Let Strawhead do our chores.
Tiy: Rhodopsis! Rosy Cheeks!
Rhodopsis(Enters.) Here I am.
Nekatu: The Master says you are to grind the grain and bake the bread.
Rhodopsis: And will you help me.
Article/Short Story Title: Rhodopsis, the
Egyptian Cinderella
Website Title: Toy Theatre Company
Sponsor: Gigi and Glen Sandberg
Date Posted: 23 Apr. 2006
Medium: Web
Date Accessed: 4 Jan. 2013
URL: http://www.toytheatre.info/Network/
Agustsson/Rhodopsis.htm
Tiy: Of course, we will fetch the mortar and pestle for you. (All 3 servants laugh.)
Meri: Here they are.
Nekatu: Aren’t you going to thank us, Pink Skin? (All 3 laugh again.)
Narrator: And the three girls ran away leaving all the work to Rhodopsis. When she at long last finished, they had
still more work for her.
Meri: Rhodopsis of the frizzy hair, the Master has more work for you.
Rhodopsis: Can’t I rest for a while? I’m so hot from the baking.
Tiy: No, Miss Pink Skin. The garden needs to be weeded.
Rhodopsis: But won’t you help? I will get so sunburned if I do the whole thing myself.
Nekatu: Certainly, well help. We will chase away any geese that venture into the garden. (All 3 laugh.)
Narrator: So Rhodopsis toiled in the hot sun while the lazy girls sat in the shade and threw an occasional rock at an
errant goose. After many hours Rhodpsis finished. They had still more work for her.
Meri: Well, Peculiar Eyes, are you finally done?
Rhodopsis: Yes, and I am hot and weary.
Nekatu: Then you are in luck. Your next task takes you to the cool riverbank.
Tiy: We have exhausted ourselves sorting the linen for you. Now you must carry it down to the Nile and wash it.
Narrator: So wearily Rhodopis carried the laundry down to the riverbank.
Scene II: (the banks of the Nile River) (Rhodopsis is washing clothes in the river. Her master is sitting under a
sycamore tree. Rhodopsis is unaware of his presence.)
Rhodopsis: Come little birds. Keep me company while I do the wash. I’ve brought you some crumbs.
Birds: (twitter and sing while they whirl around Rhodopsis)
Rhodopsis: My little monkey friend, I have a sweet fig for you.
Monkey: (chatters and cavorts around Rhodopsis)
Rhodopsis: And my hippopotamus friend, let me scratch your ears. Now if you will all help me with this wash we
can dance and play afterwards.
(The animals help with the wash. They move in a dance-like manner. As they dance the Master stands up.)
Master: I will have to reward this charming girl in some way. I know just the thing for such a wonderful dancer. I’ll
go take care of it now.
Scene III: (the garden)
Narrator: A few days after this the Master has some good news.
Master: Girls! I have heard the Pharaoh is holding an open court for all his subjects in nearby Memphis. You have
worked hard. I give you all permission to go and enjoy yourselves. And by the way Rhodopsis, I had these golden
slippers made especially for you. Such nimble feet should be suitably shod.
Rhodopsis: They will be the perfect thing to wear to Pharaoh’s court. Oh, thank-you, thank-you!
Master: I’m delighted that you are pleased with them. Now I am going to sit below my tree and contemplate the
nature of the heavens.
Tiy: Why has the Master given you such a beautiful present? Have you been telling tales?
Meri: We are freeborn Egyptians, not slaves like you. We deserve a gift not you.
Nekatu: Well, it doesn’t matter, you won’t be wearing them to Pharaoh’s Court.
Rhodopsis: But the Master gave us all permission to go.
Nekatu: You know how forgetful he is. He wants you wash the linen, grind the grain and weed the garden. We will
be leaving in as soon as we have changed our clothes and fixed our hair and makeup.
Tiy: That’s right. You may come if you finish all those chores.
Rhodopsis: But that is so much work. It will take me the entire day.
Meri: Oh, that’s a shame. You may see us sailing by as you wash the linen in the river. I’m sure your animal friends
will admire your new slippers.
(They laugh and run off.)
Rhodopsis: Why do they hate me so? I will wear my new slippers and I will dance with my animal friends. It may
not be the Pharaoh’s Court, but the riverbank is cool and green. And my new slippers will sparkle in the light.
Scene IV: (the riverbank)
Rhodopsis: Little birds, Monkey, Hippo! The Master has given his staff permission to attend the Pharaoh’s Court. I
can go if I finish my chores. Perhaps if you help me I can get the linen washed before Meri, Tiy, and Neakatu leave.
(The animals begin to help with the wash. As they work, the 3 servant girls pole by in their boat.)
Meri: Are your animal friends helping you?
Tiy: Oh, too bad you still weren’t able to finish. We must be off.
Nekatu: Be careful not to ruin your new golden slippers. (She splashes Rhodopsis.) Oh, what a shame. Your lovely
present is all wet. The Master will be angry with you for being so careless.
(They quickly pole away.)
Rhodopsis: My new shoes! I must set them to dry in the sun. What is that shadow? It’s a falcon. (She bows.)
Greetings, Proud Horus. Since I could not go to Pharaoh, has Pharaoh come to me?
(The hawk circles the sky, then swoops down and grabs one of her shoes.)
Stop! Stop! Please leave me my slipper. How can I dance in one shoe.
(She throws herself down on the riverbank sobbing. The animals gather around her.)
Scene V: (The Pharaoh’s Throne Room)
Narrator: The Pharaoh, Amasis, sat on his Great Throne wearing the crown of the Two Kingdoms. Around him
swirled dancers, musicians, courtiers, soldiers and his curious subjects. Pharaoh thought how he would much rather
be in his chariot hunting or fighting the enemies of the Two Kingdoms. Suddenly the Falcon’s shadow passed over
the crowd.
(The falcon circles over the court. He drops the slipper in the Pharaoh’s lap, circles again and flies off.)
Amasis: Why this is a golden slipper. What could it possibly mean. Horemheb, my counselor, come here I need
your advice.
Horemheb: What is it that your most gracious excellency desires?
Amasis: A bird flew overhead and dropped this golden slipper into my lap? What does it mean?
Horemheb: But that was not just any bird, Ruler of Two Lands. It was a Falcon, God of the Sky and symbol of your
power on earth. The God is bringing you a message.
Amasis: But a woman’s slipper?
Horemheb: But look at how exquisite the slipper is. The God has chosen a wife for Pharaoh. He wants you to take
a wife and father a son to rule the Two Kingdoms after you.
Amasis: But where am I to find this woman?
Horemheb: You must try the slipper on the foot of every woman in the Two Kingdoms till you find the woman that
Horus has chosen for you.
Amasis: You are right. Dismiss this crowd. Call my soldiers. Order the royal barge with the purple sails. I have a
task to fulfill. I must no longer sit here in this crowd. I will go the dock. (He exits.)
Horemheb: People of the Two Lands. The God Horus has spoken to Pharaoh. He is leaving Memphis to do the
God’s bidding. He is sorry, but the court is dismissed. You must all return to your homes.
(As the crowd is leaving, the 3 servants arrive.)
Tiy: Where is everyone going?
Nekatu: Have we come too late?
Horemheb: The Pharaoh has dismissed the court. He has received a message from the God Horus.
Meri: What sort of message has he received.
Horemheb: He is searching the Two Kingdoms for the woman the gods have chosen for him.
Meri: Who is this most fortunate of women?
Horemheb: He knows only that she will fit into an exquisite golden slipper delivered to him by a great falcon.
Nekatu: A golden slipper?
Horemheb: Do you know something about this slipper?
Tiy: She knows nothing. She is only curious.
Horemheb: Well, I must go and make arrangements for the Pharaoh’s search. (Exits.)
Meri: You don’t suppose it could be Rhodopsis?
Nekatu: It couldn’t be. She has sunburned skin, frizzy gold hair, and peculiar green eyes. She’s not even Egyptian!
Tiy: Well, we must hurry back and make sure the Pharaoh never finds her.
Narrator: The Pharoah sailed along the Nile, pulling up to every dock in search of his bride. But nowhere did he
find the woman who fit the slipper. Then the royal vessel sailed close to where Rhodopsis was wont to do the wash.
Scene VI: (The banks of the river)(The 3 servants watch while Rhodopsis does the wash. Her animal friends hover
nearby.)
Tiy: Rosy Cheeks, I think you missed a few spots.
Rhodopsis: If you would help, this would be much easier.
Nekatu: We are helping. We’re supervising.
Rhodopsis: I see a boat with purple sails floating down the river. I wonder who it could be.
Meri: (Whispering to the others) Do you think it’s the Pharaoh? We must get her out of here.
Tiy: Rhodopsis, I think the geese have invaded the garden. You must go chase them away.
Rhodopsis: But what of the linen?
Nekatu: We will take care of it, but you better hurry.
(Rhodopsis runs off.)
Meri: That was quick thinking. Here comes the Pharaoh’s boat.
(The 3 girls bow. The animals hover around curiously.)
(The barge pulls up. Two soldiers leap out.)
1st Soldier: The Pharaoh is searching for a foot to fit this slipper.
Tiy: Oh, I think I had one like it. Let me try it on.
Nekatu: No, no. You borrowed a pair like that from me.
Meri: You are both mistaken. The slippers were originally mine.
2nd Soldier: We can easily see to whom the slipper belongs if you will try it on. (All 3 unsuccesfully attempt to put
on the slipper.)
1st Soldier: None of you are the owner of this slipper. Are there any other maidens living here to whom this slipper
may belong?
Tiy: No. we are our Master’s only servants.
2nd Soldier: Then we must take our leave.
(Suddenly the monkey snatches the slipper and runs off.)
1st Soldier: Come back here you little thief.
(The birds fly around his head. The Hippopatamus knocks down the other soldier.)
Amasis: (Jumping from boat) Quickly. You must catch that monkey or I will never find the bride promised to me by
Horus.
(The monkey returns leading Rhodopsis.)
Rhodopsis: What is happening? What did you need little monkey?
Amasis: I thought you said there were no other maidens here?
Nekatu: She is not Egyptian, oh Father of Two Lands.
Amasis: She must try on the shoe regardless. Give me that slipper little monkey.
Rhodopsis: My slipper! Where did you find my slipper, little monkey?
Tiy: She’s lying! She’s just a slave!
Rhodopsis: Why I have the other slipper right here. (She puts on both slippers and twirls around.)
Amasis: I have found my Queen.
Meri: But she doesn’t even look Egyptian!
Amasis: But she does! Her eyes are the green of the Nile, her hair as feathery as papyrus and her cheeks the pink
of a lotus flower. Rhodopsis, will you be my wife?
Rhodopsis: You honor me, oh Great Pharaoh.
Amasis: Bow down to your new Queen you evil schemers. Would you make these three wretches your slaves?
Rhodpsis: I need no lazy slaves, but may my friends come with me?
Amasis: Of course, my Queen of the Rosy Cheeks.
Narrator: And the royal barge sailed away. The monkey perched up front. The birds flew overhead. And the
hippopotamus swam alongside.
Source: http://www.toytheatre.info/Network/Agustsson/Rhodopsis.htm
Rhodopsis Summary
This Ancient Egyptian version of Cinderella is considered the oldest version of the story, recorded by the Roman
historian Strabo in the first century BC.
Long ago in the Ancient land of Egypt were the green water of the Nile River flows into the blue water of the
Mediterranean Sea lived a young maiden named Rhodopis. She born in Greece but had been kidnapped by pirates
and carried to Egypt where she was sold into slavery. Her owner was a kind old man and because he spent most of
his time sleeping under a tree sleeping he never saw how the other servant girls in the house taunted and teased
Rhodopis because she looked different to them. Their hair was straight and black while hers was golden and curly.
They had brown eyes and hers were green. Their skin had the glow of copper, but she had pale skin that burnt
easily in the sun so they called her Rosy Rhodopis. They made her work hard, shouting at her all day, "Go to the
river and wash the clothes. Mend my robe. Chase the geese from the garden. Bake the bread."
She had no human friends only the animals. She trained the birds to eat from her hand, a monkey to sit on her
shoulder, and an old hippopotamus would slide up, out of the mud, onto the bank to be closer to her. At the end of
each day, if she wasn't too tired, she would go down to the river to be with her animal friends and if she had any
energy left from the hard day's work she would sing and dance for them.
One evening as she was dancing, twirling around lighter than air with her feet barely touching the ground, the old
man woke from his sleep and watched as she danced. He admired her dancing and decided that one so talented
should not be without shoes. He ordered her a special pair of slippers. The shoes were gilded with rose-red gold
and the soles were leather. Now the other servant girls could really hate her for they were jealous of her beautiful
slippers.
One day, word arrived that the Pharaoh was holding court in Memphis and all in the kingdom were invited. Oh
how Rhodopis wanted to go with the other servant girls, for she knew there would be dancing, singing, and lots of
wonderful food. As the other servant girls prepared to leave in their finest clothes they turned to her and gave her
more chores to be sompleted before they returned. They poled their raft away leaving a sad girl on the bank. As
she began to wash the clothes in the river she sang a sad little song--"wash the linen, weed the garden, grind the
grain." The hippopotamus grew tired of this little song and splashed back into the river. The splashing of the water
wet her slippers. She quickly grabbed them up, wiped them off and placed them in the sun to dry. As she was
continuing with her chores the sky darkened and when she looked up she saw a falcon sweep down, snatch one of
her slippers, and fly away. Rhodopis was in awe for she knew it was the god Horus who had taken her shoe.
Rhodopis, now with only one slipper, put it away in her tunic.
Now the Pharaoh, Amasis, Pharaoh of upper and lower Egypt was sitting on his throne looking out over the people
and feeling very bored. He much preferred to be riding across the desert in his chariot. Suddenly a falcon swooped
down and dropped a rose-red golden slipper in his lap. Surprised, but knowing that this was a sign from the god
Horus, he sent out a decree that all maidens in Egypt must try on the slipper, and the owner of the slipper would be
his queen. By the time the servant girls arrived the celebrations had ended and the Pharaoh had left by chariot in
search of the owner of the golden slipper.
After searching on land and not finding the owner he called for his barge and began to travel the Nile pulling into
every landing so that maidens could try on the slipper. As the barge rounded the bend in front of the home of
Rhodopis everyone heard the sounds of the gong, the trumpets blaring, and saw the purple silk sails. The servant
girls ran to the landing to try on the shoe while Rhodopis hid in the rushes. When the servant girls saw the shoe
they recognized it as Rhodopis' slipper but they said nothing and still tried to force their feet into the slipper. The
Pharaoh spied Rhodopis hiding in the rushes and asked her to try on the slipper. She slid her tiny foot into the
slipper and then pulled the other from her tunic. The Pharaoh pronounced that she would be his queen. The
servant girls cried out that she was a slave and not even Egyptian. The Pharaoh responded with "She is the most
Egyptian of all...for her eyes are as green as the Nile, her fair as feathery as papyrus, and her skin the pink of a
lotus flower."
Source: http://www.perankhgroup.com/cinderella.htm
Article/Short Story Title: The Egyptian Cinderella
Website Title: Per Ankh
Date Posted: 17 Oct. 2010
Medium: Web
Date Accessed: 4 Jan. 2013
URL: http://www.perankhgroup.com/cinderella.htm