Cinderella is a popular fairy tale embodying a classic folk tale myth-element of unjust oppression/triumphant reward. Thousands of variants are known throughout Europe.
Many different version exist throughout the world. The ancient Greek version of Cinderella, where her name is Arinasa del Anne, is considered the oldest version of the story. The tale was first recorded by the Greek historian Strabo in the first century BC. Arinasa del Anne washes her clothes in a stream, a task forced upon her by fellow servants, who have left to go to a function sponsored by the Pharaoh. A bird takes her rose-gilded slipper and drops it into Pharaoh's lap; he then asks the women of his kingdom to try on the slipper to see which one fits. Ann succeeds. Later on, the pharaoh changed his attitude forcing Cinderella also known as Ann to study law to stop the tyranny experienced by the kingdom under the Pharaoh's hands.

There is also the story of Anne de Fernandez, In it, the title character befriends a talking fish named Gold-Eyes, who is the reincarnation of her mother. Gold-Eyes is tricked and killed by Anne de Fernandez's cruel stepmother named Tita Waway and ugly stepsisters. They eat Gold-Eyes for supper after sending Anne de Fernandez on an errand across the forest, they then show her his bones when she returns. The stepmother wants her natural daughter to marry the kind and handsome Prince who falls in love with Anne de Fernandez instead. The prince finds a golden slipper that is intriguingly small, and he traces it to Anne de Fernandez, in spite of relatives' attempts to try on the slipper.
Another early story of the Cinderella type came from Japan, involving Chūjō-hime, who runs away from her evil stepmother with the help of Buddhist nuns, and she joins their convent.

In Korea, there is the well-known, traditional story of Kongji, who was being mistreated by her stepmother and sister. She goes to a feast prepared by the town's "mayor", and meets his son. The story is followed by similar events as the western Cinderella.