In a distant time, there lived a wealthy merchant who had three daughters, the youngest of whom was the most beautiful, and her name was Beauty. She wasn’t just lovely in appearance, but kind at heart, fond of books, and found true joy in reading. Unlike her two sisters who were arrogant and greedy, Beauty was humble and content with little.
One day, the merchant suddenly lost all his fortune at sea and was forced to move with his daughters to the countryside, living a simple life. Beauty accepted it with grace, while her sisters could not stop complaining and weeping over their lost luxuries.
One morning, the father received word that one of his ships might have survived the storm. Hope returned to his heart, and before leaving for the port, he asked his daughters what gifts they wanted. The elder daughters asked for dresses and jewels. But Beauty, with her gentle voice, said, “Please bring me a single red rose, Father—I miss the flowers.”
The merchant went to the city, but soon discovered that the ship had not truly survived. Disheartened, he began his journey home and lost his way in a snowstorm. Through the blinding cold, he found a strange palace—without doors, yet warm and full of food and drink, though completely deserted. He ate, found rest, and stayed the night.
The next morning, as he was about to leave, he spotted a blooming garden in the snow and picked a single red rose for Beauty.
At that moment, a terrifying roar echoed behind him. He turned to find a monstrous Beast with fierce eyes and fangs, growling, “You stole from my garden. For that, you shall pay with your life!”
The man fell to his knees, trembling. “I only wanted a gift for my daughter. I meant no harm…”
The Beast paused, then spoke, “Go. But return with your daughter. If she agrees to come in your place, I will spare you.”
The merchant returned home sorrowful and told his daughters what had happened. The two eldest were horrified, but Beauty smiled gently and said, “If my going will save my father, then I shall go.”
She went to the Beast’s castle, where she was greeted not with cruelty but kindness. He offered her fine rooms, delicious meals, and spoke to her each night, asking the same question:
“Will you marry me?”
To which she always replied with care, “No, dear Beast.”
With time, Beauty began to see the kindness within him. He was not cruel or angry, but lonely and gentle. She grew fond of his voice, his heart, his gardens—and though he remained a Beast, her fear had vanished.
One night, through a magic mirror he gave her, she saw that her father was gravely ill. She begged the Beast to let her visit him. He agreed, but made her promise to return within a week, or he would surely die of grief.
She returned home, and her father was overjoyed. Her sisters, however, were jealous of the glow in her eyes and the peace she radiated. They tricked her into staying a few days longer, hoping the Beast would grow angry and cast her out.
But on the last night, Beauty had a dreadful dream. The Beast lay in his garden, dying, whispering her name with his final breath.
Terrified, she rushed back to the castle and found him just as in her dream—collapsed and still.
She knelt beside him, tears falling, and cried,
“Please… don’t die! Come back to me! I love you as you are… with all my heart. Don’t leave me!”
Suddenly, the sky stirred, the castle shook, and a great light wrapped around them both. The Beast opened his eyes—but he was no longer a beast.
Before her stood a handsome prince, his eyes warm and kind.
He smiled. “You have broken the spell. I was cursed until someone loved me not for my appearance, but for my heart. And you did.”
Beauty smiled back, tears shining on her cheeks.
From that day on, they lived together in joy. The castle came alive again with light and song. Beauty had not found a palace—but a soul worth loving.
And the roses in the garden never wilted again.
The End.
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