Beauty and the Beast
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Long ago, a merchant lost his ships, money, and grand home. His daughter Beauty helped the family settle in a forest cottage. When one lost ship returned, the merchant rode hopefully toward town.
But other merchants kept the ship's goods, so he was still poor. A snowstorm forced him toward a strange castle. Inside, he ate a warm supper beside a glowing fire.
After resting overnight, the merchant picked a castle rose for Beauty. An angry Beast appeared, but listened to the merchant's frightened explanation. "Bring a willing daughter in one month, or stay here."
The merchant rode home and told his family everything. Beauty held the rose and saw her father's trembling hands. "I will go willingly, so you can stay safely at home."
One month later, Beauty and her father reached the castle. The Beast sent her father safely home. "Good evening, Beauty."
Each evening, the Beast joined Beauty beside the fire. "Good evening, Beauty." Soon, Beauty trusted his gentle heart and enjoyed their talks.
Missing her father, Beauty asked, "May I visit home?" The Beast gave her a magic ring to travel home and back. "Please return in one week, or I may grow weak," he said.
The ring carried Beauty home, where her father welcomed her. At week's end, her family begged her to stay one more day. Beauty agreed, but that night dreamed the lonely Beast needed her.
Beauty woke, used the ring, and returned to the silent castle. When the Beast did not come that evening, Beauty searched the garden. At last, she found him weak beneath the roses. "Good evening, Beauty," he whispered.
As Beauty held his paw, she said, "I truly love you." Golden light surrounded them, and the Beast became a prince. "A fairy's spell made me a Beast," he said. "Your loving words set me free."
The next day, magic brought Beauty's father to their castle wedding. Beauty and the prince danced slowly beneath warm lanterns and roses.
That night, Beauty and the prince rested under an arch of roses. What's inside someone matters more than how they look.