Once there lived a wealthy merchant who, through misfortune, lost all his riches and was forced to dwell in the country with his children. Of his daughters, the youngest, called Beauty, alone bore their poverty with gentleness and good grace.

One winter’s day the merchant, returning from a fruitless journey, lost his way in a storm and came upon a magnificent castle. There he found food, warmth, and shelter, though no host appeared. Before departing, he plucked a single rose for Beauty. At once a dreadful Beast confronted him and declared that, for stealing what was not his, he must die. Yet the creature offered one condition: the merchant might return home if one of his daughters came willingly in his stead.

When Beauty learned what had happened, she resolved to save her father. Thus she entered the enchanted castle, where the Beast treated her not as a prisoner but as an honoured guest. Each evening he came to dine with her, and each evening he asked the same question: whether she would marry him. Though she feared his monstrous form, Beauty always refused.

As the days passed, however, she discovered beneath his savage appearance a patient, generous, and sorrowful heart. When the Beast permitted her to visit her ailing father, Beauty promised to return, but her jealous sisters persuaded her to remain longer than she had sworn.

At last a terrible dream showed her the Beast dying alone beside his roses. Stricken with remorse, she hastened back to the castle and found him near death, believing himself abandoned. Weeping, Beauty confessed that she loved him and begged him to live.

At her words the enchantment broke. The Beast vanished, and in his place stood a handsome prince, long cursed until a woman should love him for his heart rather than his face.

And so Beauty learned that true ugliness may dwell beneath a pleasing countenance, while goodness may hide behind the most fearsome of forms.