Chapter 1

           InthelandofIngary,wheresuchthingsasseven-leaguebootsandcloaksofinvisibilityreallyexist,itisquiteamisfortunetobeborntheeldestofthree.Everyoneknowsyouaretheonewhowillfailfirst,andworst,ifthethreeofyousetouttoseekyourfortunes.

           SophieHatterwastheeldestofthreesisters.Shewasnoteventhechildofapoorwoodcutter,whichmighthavegivenhersomechanceofsuccess.Herparentswerewelltodoandkeptaladies’hatshopintheprosperoustownofMarketChipping.True,herownmotherdiedwhenSophiewasjusttwoyearsoldandhersisterLettiewasoneyearold,andtheirfathermarriedhisyoungestshopassistant,aprettyblondegirlcalledFanny.Fannyshortlygavebirthtothethirdsister,Martha.ThisoughttohavemadeSophieandLettieintoUglySisters,butinfactallthreegirlsgrewupveryprettyindeed,thoughLettiewastheoneeveryonesaidwasmostbeautiful.FannytreatedallthreegirlswiththesamekindnessanddidnotfavorMarthaintheleast.

           Mr.Hatterwasproudofhisthreedaughtersandsentthemalltothebestschoolintown.Sophiewasthemoststudious.Shereadagreatdeal,andverysoonrealizedhowlittlechanceshehadofaninterestingfuture.Itwasadisappointmenttoher,butshewasstillhappyenough,lookingafterhersistersandgroomingMarthatoseekherfortunewhenthetimecame.SinceFannywasalwaysbusyintheshop,Sophiewastheonewholookedaftertheyoungertwo.Therewasacertainamountofscreamingandhair-pullingbetweenthoseyoungertwo.