Beauty and the Beast
Madame de Villeneuve
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Once upon a time, in a land of grand cities and rolling countryside, there lived a kind-hearted merchant with six sons and six daughters. Their home was filled with laughter, love, and riches, and they wanted for nothing. But fate can be unpredictable, and one terrible day, their fortune vanished.
A great fire consumed their house, destroying all of their treasures. Soon after, the merchant's ships, his source of income, were lost to a merciless storm at sea. From wealth to poverty, the family had no choice but to leave their grand home and start anew in a humble cottage far away in the country.
Life was hard, and everyone struggled with the change, except for the youngest daughter, Beauty. Unlike her siblings, she did not complain. She sang as she worked, brightened the home with her cheer, and always found reasons to be grateful. Her kindness warmed their little house more than any riches ever had.
One day, news arrived that one of the merchant’s ships had survived. Hopeful, he set off for the city, promising to bring back gifts for his children. While the others wished for fine clothes and jewels, Beauty asked for just one simple thing; a single rose.
But fortune was still unkind. When the merchant arrived, he found that the ship’s cargo had been lost at sea. Heartbroken and empty-handed, he started his journey home. A fierce snowstorm caught him along the way, and just when he thought he could go no further, he stumbled upon a grand castle.
Inside, a roaring fire warmed the halls, and a feast was laid out before him. Strangely, no one was there. He ate, rested, and prepared to leave at dawn. Then, he remembered Beauty’s request. In the castle’s garden, he found a bush of the most beautiful roses. As he plucked one, a terrible roar filled the air.
"You have stolen from me!" thundered a fearsome Beast. "For this, you must stay here forever!"
Trembling, the merchant explained that the rose was meant for his daughter. The Beast considered this and said, "If one of your daughters comes willingly in your place, you may go free. If not, you must return in two weeks."
The merchant returned home in despair, but Beauty, feeling responsible, bravely offered to take his place. "Don’t worry, Father," she said. "I will go."
At the Beast’s castle, Beauty expected cruelty but found kindness instead. The Beast gave her beautiful gowns, delicious meals, and enchanted gardens to explore. Each evening, he joined her for dinner and asked softly, "Beauty, will you marry me?"
Each time, she shook her head. "No, Beast."
Though his appearance frightened her, Beauty saw that he was gentle and good-hearted. Over time, she grew fond of him.
One day, she asked to visit her family. The Beast’s eyes filled with sadness, but he agreed. "Return in two months, Beauty, or my heart will break."
Reunited with her loved ones, Beauty was overjoyed. But as the days passed, she felt a strange emptiness. One night, she dreamed of the Beast, sick and alone. She awoke from the dream and realized she had overstayed her visit and broke her promise to the Beast. Guilt and fear overwhelmed her, and she hurried back to the castle.
She found him in the garden, weak and dying. "Oh, Beast!" she cried. "I love you! Please don’t leave me!"
At her words, a miracle happened. A golden light surrounded the Beast, and he transformed into a handsome prince before Beauty's eyes. "A wicked spell turned me into a Beast," he explained. "Only true love could break the curse. Your kindness and love have saved me."
Beauty and the prince were married, and their happiness spread throughout the land. They lived happily ever after.
And so, Beauty’s story teaches us all a timeless truth: real beauty is found in kindness, love, and a good heart; not in how one looks.
Lang, Andrew. The Blue Fairy Book. 1889. https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/503/pg503-images.html#link2H_4_0011
