Long ago, there lived a merchant with three daughters. As he left on a journey, he asked his daughters what he should bring them. The elder sisters asked for expensive gowns and jewels; but Beauty, the youngest and most unselfish, asked only for a rose.

As he was returning home, the father lost his way in an enchanted forest. He came upon some roses and picked one for Beauty. The frightful Beast who owned the forest appeared and told Father that the theft of one of his roses was punishable by death. The man would be spared only if one of his daughters would come to live at the Beast's castle.

When Beauty heard this, she insisted on going to the Beast's castle. When she arrived, her every wish was magically fulfilled. Each evening the Beast visited her, and each evening he asked Beauty, "Will you be mine?" Although she grew fond of him, she always refused gently. He always left greatly distressed.

In time, Beauty became homesick. The Beast said she could go home, but he asked her to promise to return by dawn of the following day. Otherwise, he would die.

Beauty, missing her gentle Beast, belatedly returned to the castle and found him dying. Beauty confessed that her affection for him had grown into love. When the Beast said, "Will you be mine?", she answered, "Yes."

At once the enchanted Beast disappeared, and a handsome prince stood in his place. He and Beauty were now free to live royally and happily.

Based on a second-century myth, this story has endured through countless retellings,
for at its heart is a friendship which deepens into love.  

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