Once upon a time there was a rich merchant. He had three sons and three daughters. His daughters were all very beautiful. The youngest daughter was not only beautiful, but kind and thoughtful. She spent much of her time reading books while her older sisters went to social events to meet potential husbands. Her sisters would not settle for anything but a man of great stature and turned all other suiters away. Belle, the youngest sister, was kind to all her suiters. Because of the inner beauty that matched her outward beauty, she was soon called "The little Beauty."

All at once the merchant lost his fortune. The only thing that he had left was a small cottage in the country. He told his children they would have to go to the cottage and work for their living. Belle and her family went to the cottage. Belle arose early in the morning and worked all day taking care of her family. Her brothers also worked hard but her two older sisters refused to work and sat around all day wishing they still had their fortune.

One day a messenger came to the cottage. He told Belle’s father that a ship had landed with merchandise. Belle’s father asked each of his children what they would desire. Bell’s sister’s said they wanted fine linen dresses and ribbons. Belle did not want anything. Concerned she might offend her father and sisters, she asked her father for a beautiful red rose.

Belle’s father upon returning home was again as penniless and when he left. He was tired and saddened by his continued misfortune. The wind began to blow and the snow fell fast upon the ground. Overcome with fatigue and hunger, Belle’s father fell off his horse. In the distance he could see the glimpse of a soft light. In walking closer he found a magnificent castle. He took his horse to the barn and let him eat the straw while he went to the grand door of the house and knocked on it. No one answered. After seeing the door ajar, he carefully entered the house calling out to anyone who lived there. There was no sound to be heard. After much effort he found a comfortable bed and fell fast asleep.

In the morning he arose to find fresh clothing by his bed and a chocolate drink. After drinking the chocolate he looked up to find a large beast standing beside him. Frightened, he almost fainted. The Beast assured Belle’s father that he would not hurt him. The Beast left the room and Belle’s father collected his belongings and started to the barn to get his horse. While walking to the barn he came upon branches of beautiful red roses. He remembered his promise to Belle and picked several to take to his daughter.

"You are very ungrateful," said the Beast to him. "I have served you breakfast and given you a place to sleep and now you steal from me?" "You shall die for it!" Belle’s father was frightened and began to explain to the Beast that he had promised his daughter that he would bring her a red rose. The Beast told Belle’s father that he could live if he brought him his daughter in his place. Because Belle’s father wanted to see his children one last time, he agreed and left the Beast to return home.

After telling his children what had happened on his journey, Belle’s sisters became very angry with Belle. Belle’s brothers said they would go to the Beasts home and kill him to save their father. Belle told her family that she would go in place of her father and fulfill the agreement he had made with the Beast. Even though Belle’s father firmly declared that Belle should not go, the next day Belle followed her father to the Beasts home.

Upon arriving at the palace, the Beast asked Belle if she came willingly. "Yes", Belle answered. "You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you; honest man, go your way, but never think of coming here again," stated the Beast. Belle’s father left. Belle was frightened and thought that she would be eaten by the Beast that night but as she walked the castle rooms she found a sign above one bedroom saying "Beauty’s Apartment". When she entered the room she saw a large library, clothing and other preparations made for her. "If I were to only be here one day", she thought, "there would not be so much preparation." On the table lay a piece of paper written the words,
Welcome Beauty, banish fear,
You are queen and mistress here.
Speak your wishes, speak your will,
Swift obedience meets them still.
When she had read this, when casting her eyes on a great looking glass, to her great amazement, she saw her own home, where her father arrived with a very dejected countenance.

Every evening at dinner the Beast would sit at the table with Belle. They would talk about many things. Every night while walking away he would ask Belle to be his wife. She would always answer "no".

One day while Belle was gazing into the looking glass, she saw that her father was very ill. She asked the Beast if she could visit her father. The Beast answered yes and Belle promised to return within a week. After one week of visiting her father, her sisters came to the cottage. Belle’s sisters convinced Belle that she needed to stay with them and forget about the Beast.

After two weeks with her father and sisters, Belle saw in her looking glass the Beast lay dying. Her heart was deeply saddened that she had not kept her promise to him. She left immediately to return to the palace. Upon returning she saw the Beast laying on the ground near death. In tears she went to him and lay herself upon his chest declaring, "I am back, please do not die." The Beast opened his eyes and told her that when she did not return, he decided to starve himself.

"No, dear Beast." said Beauty, "you must not die. Live to be my husband; from this moment I give you my hand, and swear to be none but yours." At that moment the Beast turned into a handsome Prince. He told Belle that a wicked fairy had placed a spell on him. He would be a Beast until a beautiful virgin consented to marry him.

Belle and her handsome Prince lived in the castle and were very happy. Their happiness was founded on virtue. Because of their good hearts, they were deeply loved by the people in their.