well dear daughters I'm off to the market what would you like me  to bring for you

Oh father please bring me a beautiful dress

and I would like a lovely pearl necklace

and what can I bring for you beauty my child

father, I would be very happy  if you could bring me a beautiful red rose

so the merchant set off for the market

and after finishing his business he bought the dress and necklace for his two daughters

ah well I finished my business and shopping it's time to head back home

it's getting late so  I'll pluck the red rose for beauty on the way

the merchant was halfway home when suddenly there was a loud clap of thunder with lightning and it started raining heavily

awful weather now we're going to reach home in  this fierce storm I can't even see any sign of shelter

suddenly the merchant saw a bright light  and going on near he saw a beautiful castle  

no one seemed to be around so the merchant went inside  oh my my a castle in the middle of the woods  

and what a fine spread on the table yoo-hoo yoo-hoo  anyone there strange no one seems to be around

oh well I hope the owner won't mind if I help  myself to some food

the merchant ate a hearty meal and then went to find a place to rest

this is indeed a beautiful castle and the bed there looks so inviting just what I need

the merchant was very  tired and fell into a deep sleep

waking only when the sun peeked in through the windows

ah that was a good sleep the weather seems fine now  

I'll have a quick wash and make my way back home oh I can  smell some heavenly breakfast

once again a very fine meal was laid on the table the merchants had his fill

and was now ready to leave I wish I could meet the owner of this castle to thank him

but can't see anyone around well I guess I'd better be on my way

so saying the merchant made his way to his horse and was pleased to note that his horse had also been given fresh hay

just as he was about to mount his horse he saw a bush with beautiful red roses

and remembered his daughter's  wish but as he plucked the rose

a horrible looking beast dressed in royal finery glared at  him from behind the bush with eyes blazing

you're an ungrateful man I gave you food to  eat and my bed to sleep

and this is how you repay me by stealing my beautiful flowers 

you shall be killed for this

Oh sir I'm very very sorry I didn't mean to steal my youngest  daughter Beauty had asked me to bring her a rose flower

and I was taking it for her  well I will let you go on one condition

anything sir I will do anything  when you go back you will send your daughter

Beauty to live with  me here in my castle what Oh sir

you can leave only if you agree to my condition  the merchant had no choice but to agree to the beast condition

with a heavy heart, he left  the beasts castle and returned home

Oh father I love this dress I can't wait to try it on  

this pearl necklace is just beautiful I'm sure my friends will be so envious

thank you for this beautiful rose father but why do I get the feeling that something is worrying you

oh my dear dear Beauty  unlike your sisters you know me so well

I really don't know how to tell you

you can tell me anything father I just don't want to see you troubles like this

the merchant then told Beauty  all that happened and the promise he had made to the Beast

my dear I don't want you worrying your  pretty head about it I'll figure something else

no father you have given your word it is because  of my rose that this happened so I will go to the Beast

with a heavy heart the merchant went out and  left his precious daughter at the beasts castle

beauty was at first terrified on seeing the beast  but the beast was so gentle and kind to her

that slowly Beauty lost her fear of him  

the beast is very ugly in fact quite frightening to look at

but he has treated me so well he is indeed a noble soul

so life went on  

Beauty spent her days in the beautiful gardens of the palace

and the evening she would sit in front of the fireplace doing embroidery

the beast sat near her happy just observing her however one day things changed

beauty I've been wanting to ask  you something for a very long time

will you be my bride?

Beauty was shocked she had got used to the  beast around her but marriage?

she could not even think of marrying such an ugly creature  

umm I do like you a lot sir but the thought of marriage has never entered my head

well yes all right  I'm not offended by your answer

no more was said and life continued as usual

however the  Beast understood that beauty was missing her family

and one day he gave her a magic mirror 

my dear, I know you are missing your father and sisters

come have a look in this mirror Beauty  could not believe her eyes

there in the mirror, she could see her father and sisters so clearly though they were so far away

Oh sir you are too kind I don't know how to thank you 

one day when Beauty went to the magic mirror she was shocked to see her father ill and in bed 

she ran up to the Beast

sir I just saw my father in the magic mirror

he is ill and remembering me can you  please please let me go and visit him

the beast was very angry and stomped out of the room

however when he saw how sad Beauty was he went up to her

alright beauty I'll let you go to your father but on one condition

you have to return to the castle in one week

I promise I promise I will  come back you have been so kind to me

I cannot even think of breaking my promise and so Beauty  went to visit her sick father

my child my child oh how I've missed you

I cannot forgive myself for the situation I have put you in no no father you must not blame yourself and make yourself ill

the Beast has been extremely kind to me

and even though I miss you and my dear sisters I can  see you every day through a magical mirror

that the Beast has given me with his precious daughter  with him again the merchant became well very soon  

Beauty was so happy to be with her family again and she completely forgot about the promise she had made to the Beast

and one night she had  a horrible dream she saw the Beast calling out her name

he seemed to be in a lot of pain and was begging Beauty to return to him

oh how could I have forgotten the promise I made to the Beast  he has been so good to me looked after me so well

I have been so happy with my own family that I  completely forgot about him

Beauty rush to her father's room father father what's the matter  my child what's happened are you not well  

I must leave immediately father I saw the Beast in  my dream he was pleading with me to return  

and seemed to be in a lot of pain I must hurry father if anything happens to the Beast I shall never be able to forgive myself

yes dear you must go back  but why don't you wait until morning

no father I must not delay for a minute the Beast needs  me and I must go to him immediately  

so saying Beauty quickly got ready and ran to her horse and  was soon on her way to the beasts castle 

when she reached she could not see the beast anywhere I hope I am not late I couldn't bear it if anything happened to the Beast

after being away from him  I now realize how good he was oh where do I look for him  

suddenly Beauty heard a groaning sound from the garden well she ran there and among his beautiful rose bushes lay the Beast

she then sat down near the Beast and tears started flowing down her cheeks

I am so sorry that I broke my promise I  didn't mean to I really didn't please don't leave me

I.. I want to marry you I really do suddenly  a miracle happened before beauty's astonished eyes

as soon as she uttered the words the Beast  began to transform into a handsome young man  

what is happening who are you Beauty I am actually a prince the prince of this castle an evil witch had cast a spell on me

she changed me into this  beast that you saw me as only if someone agreed to marry me the way that I was

would the spell be  broken I fell in love with you as soon as I saw you 

and I now know that you are a lovely person  also I was afraid to let you go in case you did not come back

beauty will you marry me I feel I am in a dream is this really happening this is no dream my darling  

I am a prince and now you are going to become my beloved princess come let's go and tell your father

I am sure he was very sad that you had to stay here but now but now when he knows the truth 

he will no doubt be very happy  for us beauty and her prince live a long happy and loving life