Before Cinderella met her fairy godmother or dropped her glass slipper, she was a young girl, and this is her story. Ella, or Cinderella, as her parents fondly call her, is getting ready for a puppet-show contest when she meets an unexpected friend, Val. Val doesn't have much, but she teaches Ella how to sew. In return, Ella shares her sewing materials with Val. On the big day, the girls both put on great shows. But who will win the grand prize?