Where does Ella go before she is to be sent away to school? What does she see there, and who does she meet?

On the morning of the day Ella is to be sent away to finishing school, she get up early and goes to the King's menagerie which is near her home. At the menagerie there are exotic animals like dragons, centaurs and talking birds. While she is there so is Prince Charmont and he gives Ella Apple, a centaur colt.