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Tale Summary

There was once a wealthy merchant who had six children, three sons and three daughters, whom he adored. The youngest daughter was called Beauty by all, and she was as good as she was beautiful, but her two older sisters were ill-natured. When they talked of husbands, they would accept no less than a duke, and would only associate themselves with high society. Beauty would not think of marriage because she wanted to spend a few more years with her dear father. It happened that he lost all of his money and the family went to live in a small country house. Beauty’s two older sisters did not want to be put to work and claimed they had many lovers who would be happy to take them in, but they all laughed at the two for being so proud, and although there were many men that begged Beauty for her hand in marriage, she said she would not leave her father when he needed her. And so she rose early every morning and spent the day working while her sisters were idle. After a year, the merchant received a letter that a ship laden with his riches had just come into port, not having been lost after all. Her sisters begged their father for all manner of things to bring back for them from his journey, but when Belle was asked what she wanted, she said only a rose. The man’s journey went poorly after there was a dispute about the cargo, and after it went to court, he was even poorer than before. He set out for home but got lost in a snowy forest, and when the sun set he felt hopeless, but stumbled upon a magnificent castle which was lit and open. He tied up his horse in the stable and inside found a fire and a table set for one. After warming himself, he ate the food, found a bed to sleep in, and woke up in the morning to a brand new suit of fine clothes laid out for him and a table set for breakfast. He ate and set out, but on his way plucked a rose for Beauty from the magically snow-free garden, and suddenly heard a great roar. A Beast came towards him, telling him he was ungrateful for stealing his roses after such hospitality, and that he would be put to death. The merchant begged for forgiveness and explained he only picked the rose for his daughter, to which the beast replied he would only be spared if one of his daughters came and died in his place within three months. The merchant did not wish for this to happen but did want to see his children so he agreed to return in three months. The Beast told him that he could fill a chest with anything he wanted and it would be sent after him. When the merchant returned home he told his children what had happened, and Beauty resolved to take her father’s place, and although he refused, after the three months were up, she traveled with him to the palace and he was made to leave. Beauty was given her own room, full of books and beautiful things, and was told all her wishes would be obeyed. She wished to see how her father was doing, and then saw a vision of him in a large looking-glass as he returned home. That night, she was asked to dine with the Beast, who asked her if she thought he was ugly. She replied yes, but she thought that he was good. He also asked her to marry him. Beauty declined, and he sighed and bid her a good night. She lived this way for three months, every night the same, until one night he begged that she at least never leave him. It happened that earlier that day she saw her father in the looking-glass sick with grief, and she begged the Beast to let her see him for only a week. He agreed and told her to put her ring on her table before bed when she was ready to return. Her father was happy to see her but her sisters, who had married unpleasant men, were still jealous of her and thought to make an end to her by convincing her to stay longer and angering the Beast. On the tenth day she dreamed of Beast half-dead in the palace garden, and placed her ring on the table before falling back asleep. She woke up in the castle, but the Beast did not show up for supper, and she found him just as he was in her dream. He told her that she had forgotten her promise and so he meant to starve to death, but now he could die happy to see her again. Beauty begged him not to die, because she wished to marry him, feeling that she truly loved him. At this the palace was alive with light and music, and in the Beast’s place, a handsome prince lay at Beauty’s feet. She asked for her Beast, but he explained that she had broken a curse that was placed on him by a wicked fairy, and so the two were married.

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