India, Feb. 16 -- City's vanishing tower clocks

Have we ever wondered what would have happened to Cinderella if the clock tower near the King's Palace had not struck 12 and warned her of the time when the magic transformations would vamoose?

The Fairy Godmother's array of blessings - a ball gown, pumpkin carriage, and glass slippers for Cinderella - did not include a time-keeping device, but only a stricture to heed a specified time. Obviously, the Godmother knew of the existence of the clock tower in town, a functioning one at that.

The folk fable of Cinderella was first published in 1697. However, clock towers have been the life-centre of towns for aeons. With time taking its toll, some of them have forgotten to chime and strike at r...