Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Beauty and the Beast

(My own version of the Beauty and the Beast)

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled between rolling hills and dense, ancient forests, there lived a young woman named Belle. Belle was known throughout the village for her gentle spirit and radiant beauty, the kind that seemed almost enchanted. Birds would pause mid-flight to marvel at her, and butterflies would drift down, as if in reverence. Yet, unlike her two elder sisters who adored lavish gifts and dreamed of wealthy suitors, Belle cherished the simple beauty of a wildflower, found joy in a well-worn book, and held her father's modest flower shop close to her heart.

Belle's peaceful life was clouded by the unwanted attentions of Leland, the arrogant mayor of the village. Leland was a man who wore his petty power like a crown, parading himself as though he were a king. In his eyes, Belle was a prize to be won, a possession to flaunt, and he would not tolerate her rejections. He often boasted of his wealth and social influence, expecting Belle to be dazzled. Yet, no matter how persistently he pursued her, she met his advances with quiet defiance. For Belle saw the hollowness beneath his charm, the way he talked down to others, especially women, treating them like pawns rather than people.

Then came the day when Leland decided he would take what he wanted by any means necessary. In the dead of night, he hired a band of thugs to ruin her father's garden, tearing up the vibrant blooms and smashing the carefully tended pots. When Belle's father discovered the destruction, he was heartbroken. The flower shop had been their livelihood. And as if on cue, Leland appeared, pretending shock and sympathy, and offered a solution: he would pay for the repairs if Belle agreed to marry him. Belle's father, desperate and humiliated, was forced to accept, though he despised the man.

Belle, however, couldn't bear the thought. That night, when the village had grown quiet, she slipped away from her home and village. The air was crisp as Belle fled into the forest, her breath clouding in front of her as she ran. Leland's smug laughter echoed in her mind as she pushed through thick branches and brambles, desperate to escape his claim over her life.

The forest, ancient and dense, seemed to call her deeper, leading her along a hidden path that wound between twisted trees and thick underbrush. Finally, she stumbled upon a sight that stole her breath—a castle, hidden beneath layers of thorny black roses that climbed up its walls like a living, pulsating shroud. The garden of roses was strange and beautiful, their petals dark as night but veined with iridescent shades of blue and violet.

She paused at the gate, her eyes widening at the twisted, beautiful thorns that wound around the castle walls. But her awe was quickly interrupted by a low, rumbling voice.

"You're lost," it said, from somewhere in the dark.

Belle turned, trying to make out the speaker. There, half-concealed by shadows, stood a figure that made her heart skip. He was tall, covered in fur with sharp claws, piercing eyes, and a face that looked both regal and beastly.

"I... I didn't mean to intrude," Belle stammered, gripping her cloak tightly. "I just needed somewhere... safe."

The beast watched her, his expression unreadable. "Few come here for safety. And fewer still leave without it." He tilted his head, and his gaze softened ever so slightly. "But you... you can stay."

Hesitant but grateful, Belle stepped forward.

As the weeks passed, she grew accustomed to her strange host, who treated her with a kindness she'd never expected. They walked the castle grounds together, sometimes speaking, other times comfortable in silence. The more time she spent with him, the more she began to see past his monstrous exterior.

One evening, Belle finally dared to ask, "Why are you here, all alone? What happened to this place?"

The beast looked down, his hand brushing a nearby black rose. "A punishment for things I didn't do... but things I had to bear," he replied, his voice low and pained. "For sins I didn't commit. And for a debt that isn't mine."