Beauty and the Beast
Madame de Villeneuve
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Retold by The Legendary Connection
TLC#00021
Once upon a time, there was a kind merchant who had six sons and six daughters. His family was very happy because they were rich and could have everything they wanted. They lived in a beautiful house filled with treasures, but one day, something terrible happened. Their house caught fire, and everything was lost.
As if that wasn't enough, the merchant's ships, which carried all his goods, were destroyed in storms. The merchant, who had once been very rich, became poor. He and his children had to move to a small house in the countryside far away from town.
The sons worked in the fields, and the daughters had to clean and cook. They were all very sad about their new life, except for the youngest daughter, Beauty. She stayed cheerful and helped her family feel better by singing and being kind.
One day, the merchant got some news that one of his ships had made it back safely. He decided to go to town to see if this would help his family. Before he left, his children asked for gifts. The older daughters wanted fancy dresses, but Beauty asked only for a single rose because she loved them so much.
The merchant traveled to town, but when he arrived, he found that all the goods from his ship were gone. With nothing left, he started the long journey back home. On his way, he got lost in a snowstorm and found a big, magical castle. Inside, there was food and warmth, but no one was there.
The next morning, before leaving, the merchant remembered Beauty's request for a rose. In the castle garden, he found the most beautiful roses and picked one for her. Suddenly, a scary Beast appeared and was very angry. "You stole my rose!" the Beast roared. "For that, you must stay with me forever."
The merchant begged for forgiveness and explained the rose was for his daughter. The Beast said, "If one of your daughters comes to stay with me, I will let you go free. She must come willingly."
When the merchant returned home, he told his family what had happened. Beauty, feeling sorry for asking for the rose, bravely said, "I will go to the Beast’s castle. It’s my fault." Her father and brothers didn’t want her to go, but Beauty insisted.
At the Beast’s castle, Beauty was treated kindly. She had everything she could want. Every evening, the Beast came to see her and asked, "Beauty, will you marry me?" Beauty always said, "No, Beast," because she was afraid of him, even though he was kind.
After some time, Beauty missed her family and asked to visit them. The Beast was sad but agreed, saying, "Please come back in two months, or I will die of sadness."
Beauty went home and had a wonderful time with her family. But soon, she started to miss the Beast and worried that she had stayed too long. One night, she dreamed that the Beast was very sick. Scared, Beauty rushed back to the castle and found the Beast lying in the garden, barely alive.
"Oh, Beast!" she cried. "I love you! Please don’t leave me!"
As Beauty’s tears fell, the Beast transformed into a handsome prince. He told her, "A wicked spell had turned me into a Beast, and only true love could break the curse. Your kindness and love have saved me."
Beauty and the prince were married and lived happily ever after, teaching everyone that true beauty is found in kindness and love, not how someone looks.
Lang, Andrew. “The Blue Fairy Book.” Https://Www.gutenberg.org/Files/503/503-h/503-H.htm, 21 Oct. 2005, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/503/pg503-images.html#link2H_4_0011. Accessed 26 Jan. 2024.
