It happens when a merchant goes on a journey and asks his children what they'd like for gifts. While his sons want weapons, his daughters all want pretty dresses and jewelry-- but his youngest daughter, Beauty, who isn't as selfish, just asks for a rose.
[ Mary straightens up a bit, her voice falling into the ease of one who has a story loved and memorized. ]
... Because he met with misfortune, though, the merchant couldn't afford to buy his children anything and had to seek shelter when a bad storm happened on his way home. He came across a castle and begged for shelter... where he found no one there, but a meal and a warm bed had been made ready for him, and he stayed the night there.
In the morning, when he was leaving, he came across a rose garden and found the most beautiful rose to take for his daughter. When he plucked it, though... a terrifying, hideous beast appeared and threatened to kill him for taking advantage of his hospitality by stealing.
The merchant begged for mercy and explained the situation-- and the Beast allowed him to return home, even giving him gifts for his other children, on the condition that the merchant would then come back.
Unhappy, but agreeing, the merchant returned home and gave his children their gifts... but Beauty realized something was wrong and got him to admit the truth. Upon learning, she told her father that this was her responsibility, and went to the castle in his place to stay with the Beast.
no subject
[ Mary straightens up a bit, her voice falling into the ease of one who has a story loved and memorized. ]
... Because he met with misfortune, though, the merchant couldn't afford to buy his children anything and had to seek shelter when a bad storm happened on his way home. He came across a castle and begged for shelter... where he found no one there, but a meal and a warm bed had been made ready for him, and he stayed the night there.
In the morning, when he was leaving, he came across a rose garden and found the most beautiful rose to take for his daughter. When he plucked it, though... a terrifying, hideous beast appeared and threatened to kill him for taking advantage of his hospitality by stealing.
The merchant begged for mercy and explained the situation-- and the Beast allowed him to return home, even giving him gifts for his other children, on the condition that the merchant would then come back.
Unhappy, but agreeing, the merchant returned home and gave his children their gifts... but Beauty realized something was wrong and got him to admit the truth. Upon learning, she told her father that this was her responsibility, and went to the castle in his place to stay with the Beast.