A long time ago, a merchant lived with his three daughters. The two older sisters were proud, but the youngest, Beauty, was kind and generous.
One day, the merchant lost all his wealth when his ships sank in a storm. The family had to move to a small cottage in the woods. Beauty comforted her father and kept the cottage clean, while her sisters complained.
Later, a messenger arrived with good news: one ship had survived. The merchant traveled to town to settle the business and promised to bring gifts for his daughters. The older sisters asked for a dress and a hat, while Beauty simply requested a red rose.
The merchant made a profit and bought the dress and hat, but he could not find a rose in town. On his way home at dusk, he got lost in the forest and stumbled upon a mysterious mansion. The door was open, so he entered. He found a prepared supper and ate, then discovered his horse had been stabled and fed. A bedroom was ready for him. He slept well and awoke to find breakfast prepared and his horse saddled.
As he was leaving, he saw a beautiful rose garden. Remembering Beauty's wish, he picked a single red rose. Suddenly, a furious roar echoed. A terrifying Beast appeared, accusing the merchant of stealing after receiving hospitality. To save his own life, the merchant promised to send the first living thing that greeted him at home.
The merchant assumed his dog would greet him first, but it was Beauty who ran out to meet him. Heartbroken, he told Beauty about his promise. True to her kind nature, Beauty insisted on going to the Beast's castle to keep her father's word.
At the castle, the Beast was hideous, but he treated Beauty with great kindness, giving her beautiful rooms, fine clothes, and a magic mirror to see her family. They spent every afternoon together, and Beauty gradually grew accustomed to his appearance and enjoyed his company.
One day, the Beast asked Beauty if she loved him. She replied that she liked him very much but did not love him. The Beast, saddened, left early. Later, using her magic mirror, Beauty saw her sister preparing for a wedding. The Beast allowed her to attend, sending her in a fine carriage with gifts. After the wedding, her father begged her not to return, but Beauty kept her promise and went back to the Beast.
The same thing happened for her other sister's wedding. Beauty always returned, and the Beast was always delighted to see her.
One day, Beauty looked in the mirror and saw her father gravely ill. The Beast allowed her to go home, giving her a ring. He explained that if the ring's gem remained bright, he was well; if it turned dull, he was dying.
Beauty nursed her father back to health. Autumn turned to winter, and her father persuaded her to stay until spring. One spring day, Beauty found the Beast's ring. The gem was dull and lifeless. Realizing the Beast was dying, she rushed back to the castle.
She found the Beast weak and lying near a rose bush. Cradling his head, she wept and confessed, "Please don't die. I do love you."
As soon as she spoke these words, a flash of light transformed the Beast into a handsome prince. He explained that a spell cast by his stepmother could only be broken by a declaration of true love. Beauty and the prince were married and lived happily ever after in the castle with the rose garden.