La Bella and El Bestia

Chapter 2

Not too far from the castle there was a small village in Spain that was home to farmers, merchants, fishermen, blacksmiths, seamstresses, butchers, bakers, candlestickmakers. Basically simple folk who lived simple lives well they weren't all simple. Somewhere in the village there lived a poor, widower, clockmaker named Emiliano who lived with his beautiful young daughter Frida. Now Frida was very different from the other people in her town for one thing she posessed exquisite beauty with hair like the sky, cheeks like two pink roses, and eyes that were as blue as blue belles. Yes, no woman could ever measure up to her loveliness, the town men admired her and the town women envied her. But she had more than a pretty face, she had an independent mind, a free spirit, and a kind heart.

This morning she decided to go out she wore a dress which consisted of a white blouse and red skirt with her hair held back with a red scarf. She headed into town. She was going to library to get a new book. She loved to read books especially ones about adventure and romance. Because they always made her believe that there was something more to her life.

"Good morning Frida." The baker said.

"Good morning Mr. Chaos." She said to the Russian man.

"Where are you off too?"

"The book shop I just finished the most wonderful story. It's about a beanstalk and a giant."

"That's nice." He said not paying attention. "Carlita! The Conchas! Hurry up!"

Frida giggled and continued through town. As usual the town would gossip and talk about her.

"That girl is strange." Carmelita said. "No question."

"Yes, she's never part of any crowd." Mrs. Lupita said.

"And her nose is always stuck in a book man." El Oso said.

"She should be at home cooking and cleaning." Chakal said.

"Yes how will she ever be able to find a husband if she can't keep house?" Carmelita added.

"I don't think it will be that difficult." Sofia said. "It's no wonder that her name means beauty, her looks have got no parallel."

"But who wants to marry a bookworm?" Zoe teased.

Frida sighed and made her way to the library.

"Good morning Mr. Tonio." Frida said to the librarian.

"Good Morning Frida and Happy Birthday."

"You remembered?"

"Of course you are my favorite customer."

"Speaking of which I've come to return the book I borrowed."

"Finished already?"

"I couldn't put it down, have you got anything new?"

"Not since yesterday."

"Then I'll borrow this one."

"That one? But you've read it twice."

"Well it's favorite. It's about a prince in disguise who falls in love with a peasant girl and it has far off places, sword fights, magic spells. Everything."

"Well if you like that much it's yours."

"Really?"

"Yes. Consider it a birthday present."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Goodbye Frida, give my regards to your father."

"I will. Goodbye Mr. Tonio."

Frida opened her book and began reading it as she walked home. Suddenly out of nowhere a duck was shot down. All of the village women and men were amazed to see a handsome gray skinned man with white hair and red eyes dressed in black and sliver hunter attire enter the town. Django was his name, women adored him and men wanted to be him.

"Django you're the greatest hunter in the whole world." His sidekick Sergio said.

"I know." He said as it was obvious.

"No beast alive stands a chance against you and no girl for that matter."

"It's true Sergio and I've set my sights on that one." He said pointing toward Frida.

"The clockmaker's daughter?"

"Yes, she's the girl I'm going to marry. After all she is the most beautiful girl in town."

"Yes but her father is a little on the...cuckoo side."

"Who cares? I'm marrying her not the old man."

Admiring him were three girls wearing a purple, green, and yellow dress. Zoe, Sofia, and Carla were the second prettiest girls in town and they positively adored Django.

Isn't he dreamy?" Zoe sighed.

"He's so cute! Be still my heart!" Sofia giggled.

"He's just a tall, dark, and handsome brute." Carla said fainting.

Unfortunately for them he was only interested in Frida.

"Step aside Sergio." He said. "While I make my move." He then stepped in front of Frida. "Hello Frida."

"Hola Django." She said trying to walk away. He quickly snatched her book away. "Django may I have my book please?"

"How can you read this? There's no pictures."

"Well some people use their imagination." She said snatching the book back.

"Frida I think it's time for you to pay attention to more important things like me."

"Uh-huh and pray tell what is so important about you?"

"Look at me, I'm rich, handsome, strong. I'm practically a god."

"Well you may see yourself as a god but to me you are just a man."

"Ha-ha, funny. What do you say we head over to the tavern and look at my trophies?"

"Maybe some other time."

"What's wrong with her?" Zoe asked.

"She's crazy!" Sofia said.

"He's gorgeous!" Carla said.

"You sure you're not interested?" Django asked persistently.

"Not really besides I have to help my father."

"That crazy old loon! He needs all the help he can get!" Sergio laughed, Django laughed along with him.

"Be quiet about my father!" Frida threw a rock at Sergio. "He's not crazy, he's a genius. Now if you'll excuse me."

She turned to her heels and headed home.

"Sergio I want you to go out into the woods and bring back the biggest deer you can find." Django said. "It's for my wedding feast."

"Not the woods!" Sergio whimpered. "You know I'm scared of the woods. With all those spiders and snakes and the wolves! Oh the wolves!"

"Oh shut up and be a man!"

"Easy for you to say you're big and strong and I haven't even finished my growth spurt."

"You have a growth spurt?"