Beauty and the Beast
The Merchant’s Dilemmas
Once, a very long time ago, there lived a rich merchant who had three daughters. All three were lovely, but the youngest daughter, named Beauty, was by far the most beautiful, not only in appearance but also in her sweet nature.
One day, before embarking on a long journey, the merchant asked his daughters, “What shall I bring each of you when I return?”
“I want a beautiful diamond necklace,” said the eldest daughter.
“I want a gold bracelet,” chimed in the second daughter.
<p”What would you like, Beauty?” asked her father.
“Bring me the most beautiful red rose you can find,” Beauty replied. “That will make me very happy.”
A Stormy Encounter
The merchant rode away, and after many days of completing his business, he bought the diamond necklace and the gold bracelet and set out for home. He rode through a vast forest, and upon emerging on the other side, he was caught in a terrible storm. Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and rain poured down in torrents. As the storm subsided, the merchant spotted a great castle ahead and hoped to find shelter for the night.
He dismounted and knocked on the door, which swung open as he walked in. He explored the rooms but found no one. When he entered the great hall, he discovered a roaring fire and a table laden with delicious food. Hungry from his journey, he sat down for a meal. After finishing, he felt very sleepy. He opened a door at the end of the room and found a bedroom that seemed ready for a guest, to which he laid down to sleep.
The Beast’s Wrath
The next morning, the sun poured through his window, and he found his clothes neatly pressed beside the bed. Breakfast awaited him, and when he finished, he stepped into the garden, hoping to thank someone for his hospitality.
While wandering among the beautiful flowers, he noticed a bush adorned with the most perfect red roses he had ever seen. Remembering his promise to Beauty, he bent forward to pick one. Suddenly, he heard a terrifying roar. Before him stood a great Beast, with the head of a lion.
<p”Ungrateful man,” roared the Beast. “Would you repay me for the food and shelter I provided by robbing me of my flowers? For this ingratitude, you must die!”
The merchant fell to his knees and pleaded for his life. “Forgive me,” he cried. “I picked the rose only because I promised my youngest daughter, Beauty, that I would bring her a perfect red rose.”
Finally, the Beast agreed to spare the merchant’s life but demanded that he send back the first living thing he met when he returned home.
A Loving Sacrifice
The merchant gladly agreed, as his little poodle always ran out to greet him upon his return. He journeyed home only to find his youngest daughter, Beauty, rushing out to embrace him. Sadly, the merchant told her of his promise to the Beast. “I must go back to the Beast and let him kill me,” he said sorrowfully, “for I cannot send him my favourite daughter.”
However, Beauty would not hear of it. She dressed in her finest clothes and insisted on accompanying her father to the Beast’s castle. The Beast met them at the gate and led Beauty inside, while the merchant rode home sadly.
Life in the Castle
The Beast took Beauty to a well-prepared room. “If there is anything you want, you have only to ask,” he said before leaving her alone.
Life in the Beast’s castle was surprisingly pleasant. Beauty had everything she desired, and she rarely saw the Beast. One day, she encountered him in the garden and smiled, realizing how sad it must be to be so ugly that people feared to look at you.
“Do you think me very ugly, Beauty?” the Beast asked, his voice gentle and sad.
“I think you are very kind and good, which is much more important than being beautiful,” replied Beauty. The Beast seemed pleased by her words, and she began to enjoy her conversations with him, finding comfort in his kindness.
A Longing for Home
Despite her growing fondness for the Beast, Beauty sometimes felt lonely. One day, she asked the Beast if she might return to visit her family, who must be worried since they hadn’t seen her in a long time. The Beast sighed and looked sad. “You may go home if you wish, Beauty, but you must return in a week. If you do not, I shall die.”
Though sad to leave the Beast, Beauty reunited joyfully with her family. As the end of the week approached, they implored her to stay just one more day, and Beauty, unable to resist, forgot her promise to the Beast, extending her absence another week.
A Dream and a Transformation
One night, Beauty dreamt she heard the Beast calling for her, growing fainter as she searched the castle. Awakened in tears, she immediately set off for the Beast’s castle, frantic to find him.
Outside, she called his name, finally discovering him lying half-dead in the rose garden. She rushed to his side, “Oh, my poor Beast,” she cried. “I have stayed away too long. I did not mean to harm you. Please speak to me and say you will not die dear Beast.” She leaned down and kissed the Beast’s ugly face.
To her astonishment, the Beast vanished, replaced by a handsome prince. He took her hand and explained that a wicked fairy had cast a spell on him, changing him into an ugly Beast. The spell could only be broken by a beautiful girl who kissed him willingly, no matter his appearance.
Happily Ever After
“Now,” said the prince, “we can be married at once.” Beauty and the prince were married in great splendour and lived happily in the grand castle ever after.