"Children's Books - Beauty and Beast" - читать интересную книгу автора (Children's Books)

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Once upon a time . . . as a merchant set off for market, he asked each of
his three daughters what she would like as a present on his return. The first
daughter wanted a brocade dress, the second a pearl necklace, but the third,
whose name was Beauty, the youngest, prettiest and sweetest of them all, said
to her father:
"All I'd like is a rose you've picked specially for me!"
When the merchant had finished his business, he set off for home. However,
a sudden storm blew up, and his horse could hardly make headway in the howling
gale. Cold and weary, the merchant had lost all hope of reaching an inn when
he suddenly noticed a bright light shining in the middle of a wood. As he drew
near, he saw that it was a castle, bathed in light.
"I hope I'll find shelter there for the night," he said to himself. When he
reached the door, he saw it was open, but though he shouted, nobody came to
greet him. Plucking up courage, he went inside, still calling out to attract
attention. On a table in the main hall, a splendid dinner lay already served.
The merchant lingered, still shouting for the owner of the castle. But no one
came, and so the starving merchant sat down to a hearty meal.
Overcome by curiosity, he ventured upstairs, where the corridor led into
magnificent rooms and halls. A fire crackled in the first room and a soft bed
looked very inviting. It was now late, and the merchant could not resist. He
lay down on the bed and fell fast asleep. When he woke next morning, an
unknown hand had placed a mug of steaming coffee and some fruit by his
bedside.
The merchant had breakfast and after tidying himself up, went downstairs to
thank his generous host. But, as on the evening before, there was nobody in
sight. Shaking his head in wonder at the strangeness of it all, he went
towards the garden where he had left his horse, tethered to a tree. Suddenly,
a large rose bush caught his eye.
Remembering his promise to Beauty, he bent down to pick a rose. lnstantly,
out of the rose garden, sprang a horrible beast, wearing splendid clothes. Two
bloodshot eyes, gleaming angrily, glared at him and a deep, terrifying voice
growled: "Ungrateful man! I gave you shelter, you ate at my table and slept in
my own bed, but now all the thanks I get is the theft of my favourite flowers!
I shall put you to death for this slight!" Trembling with fear, the merchant
fell on his knees before the Beast.
"Forgive me! Forgive me! Don't kill me! I'll do anything you say! The rose
wasn't for me, it was for my daughter Beauty. I promised to bring her back a
rose from my journey!" The Beast dropped the paw it had clamped on the unhappy
merchant.
"I shall spare your life, but on one condition, that you bring me your
daughter!" The terror-stricken merchant, faced with certain death if he did
not obey, promised that he would do so. When he reached home in tears, his
three daughters ran to greet him. After he had told them of his dreadful
adventure, Beauty put his mind at rest immediately.
"Dear father, I'd do anything for you! Don't worry, you'll be able to keep
your promise and save your life! Take me to the castle. I'll stay there in
your place!" The merchant hugged his daughter.
"I never did doubt your love for me. For the moment I can only thank you