Beauty and the Beast

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a prince who lived in a grand castle. Though he had everything his heart desired, he was selfish, arrogant, and cruel. One winter’s night, an old beggar woman came to the castle, offering him a single rose in exchange for shelter from the bitter cold.

Old Woman: "Please, kind sir, take pity on an old woman. I ask only for warmth for the night."

The prince sneered at her and turned her away.

Prince: "You dare approach me with such a pitiful gift? Be gone!"

The beggar woman warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for true beauty lies within. When the prince laughed again, the old woman’s form transformed into that of a beautiful enchantress.

Enchantress: "Because of your cold heart and lack of compassion, you are not fit to be a prince."

As punishment for his cruelty, the enchantress placed a curse upon the prince and his castle. The prince was transformed into a hideous beast, and his servants were turned into enchanted objects. The curse could only be broken if the prince learned to love and be loved in return, before the last petal of the enchanted rose fell.

Years passed, and the Beast became bitter and hopeless, believing no one could ever love him.

In a nearby village, there lived a young woman named Belle. She was kind, intelligent, and loved by all who knew her, but she often felt out of place in her small town.

Villager: "Belle, why are you always reading? You should be thinking of marriage!"

But Belle longed for adventure and dreamed of a life beyond the village.

Belle (sighing): "I want more than this provincial life."

Belle’s father, Maurice, was an eccentric inventor, and the two shared a close bond. One day, Maurice set out on a journey to present his latest invention at a fair. But along the way, he became lost in the dark forest and stumbled upon the Beast’s enchanted castle.

Desperate for shelter, Maurice entered the castle, unaware of the danger within. But before he could leave, the Beast captured him and threw him into the dungeon.

When Belle realized her father hadn’t returned, she set out to find him. Following his trail, she arrived at the Beast’s castle and was horrified to discover him imprisoned.

Belle (crying out): "Father! What has happened to you?"

The Beast appeared, towering over her.

Beast: "Your father trespassed in my castle. He is my prisoner now."

Belle, filled with love for her father, made a brave offer.

Belle: "Take me instead. Let me stay in his place, and let my father go free."

The Beast hesitated but agreed.

Beast: "Very well. You may stay here forever, and your father will be free."

Maurice protested, but Belle insisted. She bid her father a tearful goodbye, knowing she might never see him again. The Beast, moved by her selflessness, allowed Maurice to leave.

Though Belle was initially frightened of the Beast and his strange, enchanted castle, she soon discovered that the servants—now enchanted objects—were kind and welcoming.

Lumière (the candlestick): "Ah, mademoiselle! Welcome! We are so very pleased to have you as our guest."

Cogsworth (the clock): "Yes, yes! Though the circumstances are rather... unusual."

Despite the cold exterior of the Beast, Belle began to see glimpses of kindness within him. They shared moments of laughter, and slowly, a friendship began to bloom.

One evening, after spending time together in the castle’s vast library, the Beast shyly offered Belle a gift.

Beast: "I’ve seen how much you love books. This is for you."

He opened the doors to a magnificent library, filled with more books than Belle had ever imagined.

Belle (in awe): "It’s… it’s wonderful! Thank you."

As they spent more time together, the Beast’s rough exterior softened, and he began to care deeply for Belle. In turn, Belle’s fear of the Beast faded, and she saw the goodness in his heart.

But trouble was brewing in the village. Gaston, a vain and arrogant hunter, had long wanted Belle to be his wife. When Belle refused him, Gaston grew angry. He rallied the villagers against the Beast, spreading lies about a terrible monster that needed to be destroyed.

Meanwhile, Belle learned that her father was sick and needed her. The Beast, now deeply in love with Belle, let her go, even though it meant breaking his heart.

Beast (sadly): "Go to him. I release you."

Belle returned to the village and cared for her father. But when Gaston learned of the Beast, he led a mob to storm the castle.

As the mob attacked the castle, the enchanted servants fought bravely to defend their home, but Gaston made his way to the top of the tower, where he found the Beast. Weakened by his sorrow, the Beast put up little resistance.

Gaston (mocking): "You’re no monster. You’re just a coward."

Just as Gaston was about to strike the fatal blow, Belle arrived, calling out to the Beast.

Belle: "No! Stop!"

Hearing her voice, the Beast found the strength to fight back. But in the end, Gaston’s greed and rage led to his downfall, and he fell from the castle, never to be seen again.

But the Beast was gravely wounded. As Belle knelt by his side, tears filled her eyes.

Belle: "Please don’t leave me. I love you."

At that moment, the last petal of the enchanted rose fell. But something magical happened—Belle’s love for the Beast broke the curse. A bright light surrounded him, and the Beast transformed back into a handsome prince.

Prince (smiling): "Belle… it’s me."

Belle gasped in wonder and joy as she realized that the prince and the Beast were one and the same.

With the curse lifted, the servants returned to their human forms, and the castle was restored to its former glory. The prince, now filled with compassion and love, asked Belle to stay with him.

Prince: "Will you stay with me, Belle?"

Belle (smiling): "Yes. Always."

And so, Belle and the prince lived happily ever after, their love a reminder that true beauty is found within, and that kindness and compassion can transform even the coldest heart.