blue fairy tale book

Chapter 15 Beauty and the Beast (1)
Once upon a time in a distant country lived a wealthy merchant who was very lucky in his business.However, thinking of his six sons and six daughters, he always felt that if the property was distributed to them, it would definitely not be able to satisfy their requirements, because they had already forgotten what satisfaction was.

But one day the most unexpected disaster happened to them.Their house caught fire, and in a blink of an eye it was razed to the ground: all its ornate furniture, precious books, fine pictures, gold, silver, and valuables were all lost.Their father had planned to make a comeback, but he lost all the cargo ships sailing on the sea overnight, either being robbed by pirates, sinking ships, or caught in fire.He also learned that in some far-flung countries, companions in whom he had trusted so much were treacherous at this time.In this way, he finally fell from a rich man to a poor man.

All he can leave to his children is a small house in a desolate place hundreds of kilometers away from the city center.Yet he dared not face the children directly, for the thought of leading a different life would plunge him into deep despair.

His sons and daughters first thought, of course, of the large circle of friends they made when they were rich, but soon they found that they were alone, and no one wanted to be friends with them anymore.Friends even blamed their unhappiness on the fact that they had been too indulgent and had no intention of helping them.They had no other choice but to live alone in that little house in the Black Forest.It seemed to be the darkest place on earth.Since they were too poor to hire servants, the girls had to do it themselves and work like farmers; the boys had to plow the land and harvest food for a living.

The girls had to put on rough clothes and live a simple life, constantly regretting that they had been too extravagant and wasteful before.Only the youngest sister has enough courage to live optimistically.She shared her family's grief when misfortune first struck her father, but soon regained her optimism.Not only did she do everything well, but she also tried her best to make her father and brothers happy.At the same time, she tried to persuade her sisters to dance and sing with her.It's a pity that they can't do any of these, because they are much more pessimistic than their little sister.They thought only she was fit for such a miserable life.But she was prettier and smarter than they were.Really, she was so beautiful that people often called her a beauty.

Two years later, as everyone gradually began to adjust to their new lives, something disturbed their peace.My father got news that a cargo ship that was thought to have sunk had arrived safely at the port full of valuable cargo.All the boys thought their poverty was at last at an end, and wished to set off back to the town at once.But the cautious father asked them to wait patiently for a while, even though it was the most difficult time for them.He planned to go to the city alone to find out.Only the younger daughter wonders if they'll ever be as rich as they once were, or at least comfortably in town, and able to find happiness and true friends again.

They all hoped that their father would bring back valuable jewelry and clothes.Only our beauties felt that it was useless to ask for these things, so they didn't ask for anything.The father noticed her silence and said, "My beauty, what shall I bring back for you?"

"I just want you home safe and sound," she replied.

This sentence annoyed the sisters, who felt that it was almost a criticism that they should not ask for those expensive things.Her father was very satisfied with her answer, but still felt that it was right to ask for some beautiful gifts at her age.He still wanted his little daughter to choose something.

"Well, dear father," she said, "since you wish, I beg you to bring me a rose. I have never seen one."

So the merchant set off, and reached the city as fast as he could.But his former partner thought he was dead, so he had already divided up the cargo on the ship.He was sick for six months, spent some money, and became as poor as when he set out, and could only afford the travel expenses back home.To make matters worse, he had to leave town in the worst weather.As a result, within a few miles of his home, he was nearly devastated by cold and fatigue.Though it would take several hours to cross the dark forest, he was so anxious to get home that he decided to continue on his way without rest.But night soon fell, and the horse could not move a step in the wild snow and gloomy forest, and there was no sign of any other riders.He had to hide in a big hollow tree, and curled up there to spend the longest night that he never thought of.

In addition to being tired, the howling of wild wolves woke him up from time to time.Until the dawn of the day, he couldn't continue on his way, because he didn't know where the road was - the continuous heavy snow had already covered all the roads.

At last he found a way.At first the road was rough and slippery, and he fell several times.But soon it was easier to go, and he followed the avenue to a luxurious castle.

What surprised him was that there was no snow on this road, and orange trees full of flowers and fruits stood on both sides.When he came to the first palace of the castle, he saw a diamond-shaped staircase in front of him.The warm and pleasant breath brought him back to life, but he felt very hungry.There seemed to be no one in this huge and luxurious palace, and he couldn't ask for something to eat.All was silent.He ended up wandering the empty rooms and hallways.He came to the smallest room, and found a bright fire, with a couch beside it.He thought it must be for someone.So he sat on it and waited for someone to come, but soon fell into a sweet dreamland.

Hours later, he awoke from extreme hunger, still alone.However, there is a small table in front of him, with a lot of food on it.Since he hadn't eaten all day, he couldn't wait to start this delicious meal, hoping in his heart that he would have the opportunity to know and repay this thoughtful host.He slept for a long time, and when he woke up he was refreshed, but still no one appeared, but there were delicious cakes and fruits on the small table next to his arm.Being timid by nature, the silence began to frighten him.So he decided to search all the rooms again, but it was no use.He didn't see a single servant, and there wasn't even a single person in the palace!He began to think about what to do.He was looking for fun by himself, assuming that all the treasures he saw belonged to him, how should he distribute them to his children.Then he went into the garden again, and wondered why the sun was shining brightly here when it was cold winter everywhere, and the birds sang and the flowers bloomed, and the air was so soft and sweet.Fascinated by what he saw and heard, the merchant said to himself, "Perhaps it is all meant to be mine. I will go back now and bring the children to share in these joys."

Regardless of the cold and fatigue, he hurried back to the castle.He had already led the horse to the stable and fed it.

Now that he was about to ride home on his horse, he turned into the stable path.Rose bushes grew on both sides of the path, and the merchant felt that he had never seen or smelled such beautiful roses, and at the same time remembered the promise he had made to his little daughter.So he stopped and wanted to pick one for her, but was frightened by a strange voice behind him.

Turning around, he saw a terrifying beast.It seemed very angry and cried out in horror: "Who told you that you can pick my roses? Isn't it kind enough for you to allow you to stay in my palace? Steal my flowers, is this yours?" Appreciate the way? Your impertinence will be punished." The merchant, petrified by these angry words, dropped the unfortunate roses, and knelt before the beast crying, "Forgive me, my lord. I am Thank you very much for your hospitality. But I didn't think I would offend you by picking this little rose." But the Beast's anger was not lessened by his explanation.

"Even if you try to explain and flatter," it cried, "it will not absolve you from the death penalty you deserve."

"Alas!" thought the merchant, "if only my daughter would know what dangers the roses she wants have brought me!"

In desperation he told the Beast all his misfortunes, the reasons for his visit, and the request of his little daughter Beauty.

"Even if I go to blackmail the king, I can't get enough money to satisfy the demands of my other daughters." He said, "I think I should at least bring back a rose for 'Beauty'. I Please forgive me, you know I mean no harm."

The beast thought for a while, and then said a little calmly: "I can forgive you, but you have to promise me one condition - give me one of your daughters."

"Ah!" cried the Merchant, "if I am so cruel as to make one of my children pay for me, what excuse should I have for bringing her here?"

"Stop making excuses," replied the Beast. "She must have come voluntarily, and I wouldn't have her otherwise. Let's see who is brave enough and loves you deeply to come to save you." Go ahead. You look like an honest person, so I believe you will come back home. I can give you a month to see if any daughter is willing to come and stay here with you in exchange for your freedom. If They don't want to, so you have to say goodbye to them forever and come back alone. From then on you are my slave. Don't imagine that you can hide from me. If you break your promise, I will come to you myself !” the beast continued grimly.

The merchant accepted the offer, although he knew his daughter would never come with him.He promised to come back at the appointed time, wishing he could escape from the beast immediately.So he asked to be able to leave immediately.But the Beast insisted that he could only start the next day. "You will find a horse ready for you," it said, "and now you may go to your supper and follow my orders."

The poor merchant, in desperation for his life, retired to his room, where a delicious supper was laid on the little table near the blazing fire.But he was so frightened that he couldn't eat any more, and only tasted a little, because he was afraid that the beast would be angry with him for his disobedience.When he had finished his meal, he heard a loud noise in the next room, and he knew it must be the beast.He knew that there was no way to avoid the beast, and the only thing he could do was try not to appear frightened.So when the Beast appeared and asked him roughly if his supper was ready, he nodded and thanked him respectfully for his kindness.Then the Beast warned him not to forget the agreement between them.

"Tomorrow you will see the sun and hear the golden bell," he went on, "and you will get up. Then you will find your breakfast ready, and your horse will be waiting in the yard. In a month it will still be Will come back with you and your daughter. Goodbye! Bring a rose to Beauty, and remember your promise!"

The merchant was very happy, for the Beast was gone at last, but he was so sad that he could not sleep all night, and lay in bed till dawn.He hastily finished his breakfast, picked the roses of the beauty, and mounted his horse.The horse was running so fast that in a few moments he lost sight of the palace.But he was depressed and lost in thought all the way, until the horse stopped in front of the house.

The sons and daughters, who had been uncomfortable during his father's absence, all ran to him at this time, hoping to know the result of his father's visit.Seeing their father on a fine horse and wearing a fine cloak, they thought all was well.At first he wanted to hide the truth from them, but when he handed the rose to the beauty, he couldn't help saying sadly: "This is the rose you asked me to bring for you, I'm afraid you won't know the price you paid for it. "

(End of this chapter)