Here's a breakdown:
* Earliest known version: A Chinese tale from 850 AD called "Yeh-Shen" tells a similar story.
* European origins: Many versions of the story exist in European folklore, including versions from France, Italy, and Germany.
* First published version: The first published version is attributed to Charles Perrault in 1697, titled "Cendrillon, ou la petite pantoufle de verre" (Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper).
* Brothers Grimm version: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their version in 1812 called "Aschenputtel," which includes more detail and a darker tone.
While Charles Perrault is credited with popularizing the story, it's important to remember that Cinderella is a classic folk tale with roots in many cultures.