Twisty Tales

Beauty and the Beast

In a village on the edge of a forest lived a merchant who would travel to different lands during the summer months. He had three daughters and among them the most beautiful was his eldest daughter Beauty. 

Beauty's favorite season was summer when her father would be away and she could bully her younger sisters, making them gather wood, pick acorns and fruits and clean wheat to make bread. Beauty was both haughty and imperious and her little sisters were in awe of her. As usual this summer their father returned with roses for his younger daughters that they had asked for. But Beauty had asked that he bring her the finest piece of jewelry that he could find. So now he handed her a gold chain with a great ruby pendant.

"Where did you get it?"

She demanded.

"I found a castle in a forest of prickly trees .At the entrance of the castle I found this chain hanging from a branch. I did call out but no one answered. It was probably caught on the branch when a rider passed. He may not have noticed that it is missing".

Beauty's eyes gleamed with greed.

"Ah" she thought," Someone who does not miss such a jewel must be fabulously wealthy. This bears looking into."

"Where is this castle?" She demanded of her father.

"But my dear," He protested "It may be dangerous for you to venture there".

"I don't care, and I am not afraid".

Beauty declared, and with the directions given by her father, she set off. Soon she had cut her way through the prickly trees and arrived at the castle. To her surprise, the gates and then the doors of the castle were wide open.

In the courtyard, with his back to her stood a small, thin figure wearing a coat of gold and red velvet.

"hey, you!"

Beauty said loudly, almost at his ear. The figure jumped and turned around showing a worried rat like face.

"Who are you?" He asked in a quavering voice.

"My! but you are ugly," Beauty said, "My name is Beauty, and who are you?"

"they call me beast" He said sadly.

"We are both well named" Beauty said.

"but enough chit-chat I want to meet the master of this castle"

"That would be me." He said.

"you!' Beauty was immediately friendly.

"It is very nice to meet you .I have come a long way and with your permission I would like to rest here for a few days."

"You are welcome," said the Beast,

" But there is no one here except me and the servants and as you saw we are far from the town. You will be bored."

"I'll occupy myself," Beauty said cheerfully.

"Very well then,"

Beauty and the Beast sat down to a lavish feast and then Beauty was shown to a grand bedroom. She lay awake for some time and then when she was certain that the castle was quiet she got up to start searching for the treasure that she was sure was there. The greedy girl had not told the beast that her father had found his chain.

Two nights of fruitless searches later, she knew that she had overstayed her welcome. The Beast had even ordered the coach to take her to the next town. She knew that tonight would be her last chance to find the treasure. 

There was a domelike room, almost an attic in the last turret where she had not ventured yet. So again when the castle was quiet and she was sure all were sleeping she made her way to the room in the turret.

The room was dark and full of cobwebs but by candlelight she could make out a large chest against the wall. Eagerly she lifted the lid of the chest and the room was flooded with the light of gold ,pearls, and precious stones in the chest.

Beauty plunged her hands into this bounty, laughing and giggling at her good fortune.

Then the door opened and a tall, handsome man in all the finery of a prince entered. Beauty was dumbstruck, her mouth opened and closed but no sound came out.

"Ah, Thank God," said the prince, "I knew someone would come after I put out the bait of the ruby chain. I must thank you Beauty I am free at last".

"Who are you?" stammered Beauty.

"Why, I am your host, the Beast," He said simply.

"Like you, hearing of treasure in this castle I came here driven by my greed. I found this very chest. But it belongs the witch of the north and has a curse on it. Whosoever opens it turns into a beast, condemned to live in this castle, until he or she is replaced by another as greedy who take his/her place .I have been here a long, long time but now I can go home. My servants who stayed loyal to me are leaving with me. You are on your own, Beauty, I wish you luck". He turned and closed the door behind him.

"Wait, wait," beauty cried, looking with horror at the thick fur and coarse nails growing on her arms and legs. She ran to a cracked mirror on the wall, and saw a large rat looking back at her. As she sank weeping to the ground, she heard the sinister cackle of the witch of the North echo through the eerie castle, her new home.

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Author's Note: This is the first fairytale in a series that I am currently writing as part of my bucket list to indulge my passion for writing. A first attempt at this stage of life since I'm all of 71 years old! Hope you enjoyed the story. I am open to feedback, good, bad or ugly. Thank you!!