She recalled his words that something dreadful might happen, and she thought, “Did he mean to me or to him, or to both of us?” “Beast, where are you?” she called as she hurried through the echoing halls in search of him. She rubbed the ring and in an instant she was transported back to the palace. “What is this strange feeling?” she thought. Belle lingered until, one day, she looked at her hand and saw a ring that the Beast had given her. They were even jealous when they heard about the luxury of the palace, and they tried to delay her return. Her sisters were surprised to see her, and even more amazed when she told them about about her new life. But if you do not return after one week, something dreadful will happen.”īelle went home in a carriage arranged by the Beast. “If you have good in your heart, you will let me visit my home just for one week.” “That is your choice,” said the Beast sadly.
One evening, the Beast came to her room and asked gruffly, “Belle, will you marry me?”īelle felt sick at the thought and replied, “No Beast, do not hope that I could marry you.” “He is ugly but his heart is kind, and he is sad, poor beast, because no girl will love him.” Belle either did not understand, or did not believe these tweets, and she badly missed her home. “Pretty, sweet, feathered creatures, your ways are so gentle, how can you stand the rough, ugly beast?”Īnd the birds twittered back. In the daytime, she wandered around the garden, and spoke to the birds. Invisible servants brought her food, and took care of all her needs. But the Beast was courteous, and gave her a comfortable room. Belle tried to look into the face of the Beast, but had to glance away because he was so disgusting to her eyes. The merchant delivered Belle to the Beast and kissed her goodbye, perhaps for ever. She herself said, “Father, you must take me to this beast before he comes for you.” When he told the terrible story to his daughters, the elder ones blamed Belle for selfishly demanding a red rose as a gift. He returned home as a doomed man, not thinking for a moment that Belle would agree to stay with the creature. The merchant did not doubt the word of the beast. But should she refuse, I shall visit your house and you shall die.” “Daughter you say? If she will come to me, you may live. I wanted a rose for my youngest daughter.” “You shall pay for this rose with blood!” raged the monster.
The merchant spun round and found himself staring into the blazing eyes of a hideous beast. As he wandered around the grounds, his eyes fell upon a red rose and he thought, “Ah! A gift for my Belle!” As he picked the rose, a growling voice startled him from behind: He followed a long avenue of trees until he came upon a palace with a beautiful garden. Then, quite unexpectedly, in the middle of a forest, he came to a place where the sun was shining. On his journey home, lost in thought, he took a wrong turn. The merchant’s ship failed to come in, and he could not afford to buy the promised presents for his daughters.
I am sorry to say that the business trip went badly. The elder sisters demanded expensive things, but Belle asked merely for a red rose. He asked the girls what gifts he should bring back. Her name was Belle and she was beautiful in name, looks, and temper. How they loved their fine clothes, pearl necklaces, and pretty ponies! The youngest came as a gift to brighten up hard times. The first five were born when business was good, and he spoiled them rotten. Many years ago, a merchant had six daughters.