BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Long ago there lived a merchant. He lost all his wealth and became poor. He had six daughters, five of whom were very selfish.  The youngest was called Beauty as she was sweet and lovely.

The five sisters were very lazy and complained most of the time. It was Beauty who did all the housework. There came a pleasant message for the merchant one day.  The message said that one of his ships with all kinds of riches had come to port. The five sisters asked their father to leave immediately and get them all the clothes and jewels. Beauty wanted him to get just a rose. Kissing his daughters, the father left with high hopes.

After traveling for one and a half days, the merchant reached the port only to be told that pirates have sunk his ship. Dejected, he started home with nothing to gift his daughters. As he was traveling, a terrible storm arose and he lost his way in the forest. Cold and hungry, he saw a huge castle, which looked like a home of very wealthy. Very tired, he went towards the castle.

Finding no one, the merchant went inside the castle. He was happy to see a long table set with a lovely meal.  He found fruits, cakes, meats and a fine red wine. He also saw a fire blazing in the fireplace. After a hearty meal, the merchant felt sleepy. He got into the bedroom and fell asleep on a large and comfortable bed.

The merchant awoke the next morning and walked into the castle garden. Amongst lovely flowers he spotted a beautiful rose bush. He was reminded of his daughter Beauty’s wish. As he broke off a lovely rose to gift her daughter, he heard a terrifying noise. He looked up and found an ugly man with the face of a beast. The beast shouted “Are you repaying for the food and shelter by taking a prize rose? You are very ungrateful.” “Forgive me. I shall repay in the best way I can,” pleaded the merchant.

“Take these things and go. But send one of your daughters to keep the house for me.  If you fail to send, you shall die,” warned the Beast.

The merchant took the gifts, thanked the Beast and left for his home on his horse. “How will I tell my daughters about my business failure? And about my meeting with the Beast?” he was worried on his way home. 

He loved his daughters very much and was not willing to send anyone to live in that castle. He thought he would definitely die. He reached home and told the story to his daughters. Beauty loved her father very much and offered to go.

Though initially Beauty was frightened of the Beast, she found him to be very kind. He arranged for Beauty a lovely room that overlooked the garden. He offered her lovely clothes and stayed out of her way so that Beauty would feel free. One day, in the garden, he expressed his love for her and his intentions of getting married to her. In a gently tone, Beauty told him that he was very kind. Since her father needed her, she will not be able to marry her.

In her magic mirror, she saw her father very will and was desperate to get back home. A special ring that would help in going home and coming back safely was given to her, by the Beast. “Do come back within a week. Or I shall die,” the Beast said to Beauty.

Happy on seeing Beauty, her father recovered fast. The sisters wanted her to stay back to do the housework. Two weeks passed. One night Beauty had a dream that the Beast died. In tears, she hurriedly packed her things, kissed her father good-bye and was back at the castle with the help of the ring.

Not finding the Beast in the house, Beauty went to the garden. She found him lying on the grass, nearly dead. On seeing Beauty, he got up and told her he had starved himself, as he could not live without her.

“You may be ugly, but you are kind and gentle. That is very important to me. You should not die.  I love you and will marry you,” said Beauty.

A miracle followed. The Beast changed into a handsome Prince. Beauty could not believe her eyes. He kissed her and narrated how a wicked witch cast a spell over him, changing him into a Beast, until a beautiful young girl promised to marry him.

The Prince married Beauty and there was great joy in the land. Beauty pardoned her sisters and invited her father to come and live with them. The sisters became kind and gentle like Beauty and all live happily for the rest of their lives.