There was a wealthy merchant who had six children: three daughters and three sons.
The daughters were all very beautiful, especially the youngest, who was called Belle, which means “beauty” in their country.
Belle was not only the most beautiful, but also had the best personality, and everyone who met her liked her.
However, her two older sisters were arrogant and envious of Belle.
Many people proposed to the daughters. The eldest and second daughters arrogantly declared that they would only marry a duke or an earl.
Even more suitors pursued Belle, including dukes and earls, but she politely declined, saying she was still too young and wanted to spend more time with her father.
Unexpectedly, the merchant suddenly went bankrupt, forcing the family to move to the countryside.
In the countryside, the father and brothers worked on the farm, while Belle took care of the household chores, including cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
Before her father’s bankruptcy, the family had many servants, and Belle had never done such hard work before.
Initially, she found it exhausting and uncomfortable, but gradually, she became skilled at it.
After finishing her chores, she would read books and play the piano.
Life wasn’t as affluent as before, but it was fulfilling.
However, Belle’s two sisters were very dissatisfied with life in the countryside. They missed having money to buy fancy clothes and jewelry and going to balls.
They mocked Belle for willingly living as a country girl, spending her days either working, reading, or playing the piano. They had no desire to live such a dull life.
The merchant observed his daughters’ behavior and knew that Belle was far more outstanding than her two sisters.
A year later, the merchant unexpectedly received a letter informing him that one of his ships had survived and its cargo was still intact.
This was like recovering a lost fortune and was great news for the struggling family. The merchant immediately set off to reclaim the wealth.
The eldest and second daughters pestered their father to buy them gifts—luxurious dresses, jewelry, and a long list of demands.
Seeing that Belle said nothing, the merchant asked her what she wanted.
Belle thought to herself that her sisters had asked for so many expensive gifts, and their father probably couldn’t afford them with the money he received.
She didn’t want to ask for anything, but she also didn’t want it to seem like she was criticizing her sisters.
So she said, “Ah, Father, if you happen to see a rose on your way home, could you pick one for me? You know I love roses, and there are none in the countryside.”
However, after the merchant had reclaimed the goods, creditors came to collect their debts, and the money he received wasn’t even enough to pay them off. On his way home, his pockets remained empty.
The merchant finished his business and hurried home. While passing through a forest, he got lost.
To make matters worse, a snowstorm suddenly hit, and he was nearly blown off his horse by the fierce wind.
Just when he was about to give up in despair, he noticed a light in the distance.
Hastily, he made his way toward it and was astonished to find a massive palace.
The merchant entered, finding the inside brightly lit but completely empty.
However, a long, luxurious dining table was laid with a feast, though there was only one set of tableware.
Cold and hungry, the merchant couldn’t resist and devoured the food ravenously.
After eating his fill, he wandered into a room, where exhaustion overtook him. He collapsed onto a bed and immediately fell asleep.
The next morning, he awoke to find a set of clean, brand-new clothes laid out for him.
Surprised, he thought to himself, “The host is really thoughtful, but why hasn’t he shown himself?”
After changing, he went to the grand hall, where breakfast was already prepared.
The merchant couldn’t help but call out, “Thank you, kind host! Even though I don’t know who you are or why you haven’t shown yourself, I know you are a good person!”
After finishing breakfast, the merchant stepped outside to the garden, looking for his horse so he could continue his journey.
He had expected the snowstorm from the previous night to leave thick snow everywhere, but to his surprise, the garden was in full bloom with flowers.
As he walked, he saw a rose and remembered his youngest daughter Belle’s request for one.
He picked a rose for her, but as soon as he did, he heard a ferocious roar.
The merchant’s heart nearly stopped in fright. He turned around to see a beast approaching him, his eyes full of fury.
“You ungrateful man!” the beast growled as he moved closer. “I saved you last night and treated you with such kindness, and yet you steal my favorite rose! You will pay for this!”
The merchant never imagined the palace’s owner was a beast!
Trembling, he knelt down and said, “My lord, please hear me out. I didn’t know the rose was so important to you. I picked it for my youngest daughter, Belle. She loves roses more than anything, and she asked me to bring one back for her if I found one.”
The beast replied, “You picked it for your daughter? Then have her come here to take your punishment! If she refuses to die in your place, you must return to face the punishment yourself. One of you must die!”
The merchant thought to himself: Of course, I don’t want Belle to die in my place, but if I pretend to agree, at least I can return home and see my children before I die.
So, he pretended to accept the beast’s terms.
The beast said, “Then go home and tell your daughter to come! In your room, there’s a chest and a lot of gold and jewels. Take whatever you want, so you don’t return home empty-handed.”
The merchant returned to his room and indeed found a large chest and a lot of gold and treasures.
He thought, “At least I can leave something for my children before I die.”
So, he filled the chest with gold coins.
Distracted by his worries, he forgot to take the chest with him when he left the palace.
When he arrived home, his six children happily came out to greet him.
The merchant forced a smile but looked troubled.
After Belle and the other children pressed him for an explanation, the merchant finally told them the truth.
The two older sisters immediately scolded Belle, saying, “If you hadn’t asked for a rose, Father wouldn’t have picked it and angered the beast. Remember, it’s your fault Father is going to die!”
Belle, however, remained calm and said, “Father doesn’t have to die. I will go and see the beast myself.”
Her father and three brothers were shocked and refused to let Belle go.
The three brothers even said they would fight the beast to the death.
Belle gently said that it was too late and that their father was tired from the long journey. They should wait until tomorrow to discuss it further.
That night, when the merchant returned to his room, he found the chest of gold coins he had forgotten to bring.
He quietly told Belle to keep the chest safe and use it to support the family after he left. He warned her not to let her two older sisters know, or they would squander it all.
Unexpectedly, the next morning, Belle was gone.
She had left a letter saying she had gone to the beast’s palace.
In the letter she also suggested that her father use the gold coins to give her two sisters dowries, as there were suitors interested in marrying them.
Belle went alone to the palace in the forest.
Despite her fear, she pretended to be calm as she walked into the grand hall.
The hall was empty, but the dining table was set with a feast, as if prepared just for her.
Belle thought, “Maybe the beast wants to fatten me up before eating me.”
She sat down and pretended to eat calmly, though she tasted nothing.
As night fell, there was still no sign of the beast.
Belle entered a room and climbed into bed, but overwhelmed by fear and the strange surroundings, she couldn’t help but cry.
She cried for what felt like a long time before finally falling asleep.
In her dreams, she saw a beautiful fairy who said to her, “Belle, you are kind and willing to sacrifice your life for your father. Trust me, not only will you be safe, but you will also be rewarded.”
The next day, after breakfast, Belle thought, “Maybe the Beast will eat me tonight. Instead of being scared, I might as well explore the palace before I die.”
As she wandered through the palace, she realized it was indeed enormous and magnificently decorated.
While exploring, she noticed a door labeled “Belle’s Room.”
Curious, she pushed it open and found a large library filled with all kinds of books, along with a grand piano.
Overjoyed, Belle stepped inside, as reading and playing the piano were her favorite things.
She opened one of the books and saw these words written inside:
“Welcome, Belle, don’t be afraid,
You are the queen and mistress here;
Speak your wish, speak your will,
And it will swiftly be fulfilled.”
After reading this, Belle sighed and murmured, “My wish is, of course, to know how my father is doing. I came here without telling him, and he must be so worried.”
As soon as she finished speaking, an image of her father appeared in the mirror before her. He looked downcast and was sighing deeply.
Belle was worried about her father, but at the same time, she felt a bit uneasy and confused: why hadn’t the Beast eaten her, but instead treated her so well?
There was no one else in the palace, and naturally, there were no servants either. As evening approached, Belle was about to prepare dinner herself when she noticed the dining table was already laid with a feast.
Just as she sat down to eat, she saw the Beast enter the room.
Belle’s heart nearly jumped out of her chest as the Beast—the master of the palace—finally appeared.
The Beast approached the table and asked, “Belle, may I join you for dinner?”
Trembling, Belle replied, “Of course, you’re the master of the palace. This is your home.”
The Beast sat down and asked, “Am I very ugly?”
Belle was silent for a long time; she couldn’t lie.
The Beast sighed and said, “You don’t need to say it. Your expression already tells me the answer.”
Belle then said, “But you’re very kind, and that makes appearances less important.”
“I have learned to be kind, but I am still a monster, a monster that scares people.”
“Though you look like a beast, your heart is kind. There are many people who look human but have ugly hearts. Compared to them, you are more human.”
“Thank you, Belle. You are the truly kind one. Besides being ugly, I am also foolish.”
“You’re not foolish, because truly foolish people never admit they are foolish.”
“Belle, talking with you makes me happy. I hope you’ll find happiness here as well, because if you’re not happy, I will be sad too.”
…
During the meal, Belle nearly overcame her fear and suspicion of the Beast. However, the Beast then asked, “Belle, will you marry me?”
Belle was almost overwhelmed.
She didn’t dare answer, fearing the Beast’s anger could have disastrous consequences, he might eat her right away.
Finally, she tremblingly said, “No.”
The Beast sighed deeply and let out a roar.
Belle closed her eyes, bracing herself to be eaten.
But instead, she heard the Beast say in a sad voice, “Then, Belle, goodnight.”
He walked out of the hall and into the garden.
In an instant, Belle’s fear turned to sympathy.
She chased after him to comfort it, but just as she reached the door, she saw the Beast in the garden under the moonlight, transforming into a handsome young man.
Belle was filled with doubt.
That night, Belle dreamt of the fairy again, who said, “Belle, the Beast was originally a prince. Because of a mistake he made, I turned him into a beast in my anger.”
Shocked, Belle said, “That’s impossible…”
“Why not? Think about it, the owner of the palace is either a king or a prince. How could it be a beast? On a full moon night, the Beast briefly returns to his human form, and you saw it tonight. The prince was punished for his mistakes, but he has changed and become a kind person. However, to break the curse and turn back into a human permanently, he must find a girl who truly loves him.”
Belle asked doubtfully, “You turned him into a beast. Isn’t it easy for you to turn him back?”
“I was so furious at the time that I cast a curse even I can’t undo. He has already become a kind person, and I want to help him turn back into a human too. Belle, I know he proposed to you. He truly loves you, after all, you’re a girl everyone likes. But if you don’t love him, don’t force yourself, it’s not your fault, and you can’t save him unless it’s genuine love.”
Over the next three months, she found herself quite content.
During the day, she read books, played the piano, and enjoyed the garden’s flowers.
She didn’t have to work, and although there were no servants, the meals were always plentiful.
At dinner, the Beast would join her for conversation, and over time, Belle discovered many of his positive traits.
Gradually, she began to enjoy chatting with him, looking forward to his visits.
Occasionally, when he didn’t come, she even missed him a bit.
However, each time the beast would ask Belle if she was willing to marry him and be his wife.
Belle finally couldn’t hold back and said, “You are very kind, and I am willing to be your friend forever, but I can never be your wife.”
The Beast sighed again and said, “I understand. If you can be my friend, I am already very satisfied. So, Belle, can you promise me that you will never leave me?”
Belle replied, “I promise, but I saw in the mirror that my father is ill. He misses me terribly and is worried about me. I beg you to let me visit him once; otherwise, I will be heartbroken and die.”
“Belle, I do not want to see you unhappy, nor do I want you to die. I will send you back, but the poor Beast would die of sadness.”
“You will not die. I promise I will return in seven days.”
“Tomorrow, you will return home. I hope you keep your promise. When you want to come back, place this ring on the table, and it will bring you back.”
The Beast handed Belle a ring and, sighing, left.
The next morning, Belle awoke to find herself lying in her own bed at home.
Her father entered, and upon seeing her, was so overjoyed that his illness was instantly cured
Before leaving, Belle had given away all her clothes and belongings, thinking she would be eaten by the Beast.
As she worried about not having anything to wear, she found a large chest by her bed filled with luxurious dresses and jewelry.
She knew it was the Beast’s doing.
She chose the simplest dress and told her father, “The rest is for my sisters. They would like these things.”
Before she could finish her sentence, the chest vanished.
Her father said, “It must be that the Beast wants you to keep it for yourself, not give it away.”
Instantly, the chest reappeared.
Belle’s two older sisters had already married, and their father sent word that Belle had returned home.
When the sisters saw Belle, they were astonished.
Not only had she not been eaten by the Beast, but she had also become even more beautiful and was wearing clothes that their father could never have afforded, even when he was rich.
Their jealousy turned into madness.
They secretly devised a plan.
As the seven days quickly passed, Belle prepared to return to the Beast.
However, her sisters cried and begged her to stay a few more days, claiming they couldn’t bear to part with her.
In reality, they hoped that if Belle did not keep her promise and failed to return to the Beast within the seven days, the Beast would become furious and eat her.
Belle, not suspecting their true motives, agreed to stay for another seven days.
Somehow, she started to miss the Beast.
At night, she dreamed of the Beast lying on the grass in the palace garden, on the brink of death, blaming her for not keeping her promise.
Belle woke up with a start, tears streaming down her face.
She placed the ring on the table, saying she wanted to return to the palace.
The next morning, she awoke in her room at the palace.
She rushed to find the Beast but could not find him anywhere.
Eventually, she found him lying on the grass in the garden, in a state of near death, just as in her dream.
The Beast weakly said, “Belle, you forgot your promise, but now that you are here, I am happy and can die without regrets.”
Belle, crying, replied, “You will not die. I have something to tell you. You’ve asked me countless times if I would marry you, and now I’ve come to realize that I will.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the Beast instantly transformed back into a handsome prince, and the curse was lifted.
Hand in hand, they walked into the grand hall, where Belle was delighted to see her father and other family members.
There was also a beautiful woman, who Belle recognized as the fairy from her dream.
The fairy said, “Belle, I told you that your kindness would be rewarded. Congratulations on becoming the queen.”
She then turned to Belle’s two older sisters and said, “Your jealousy was so great that you wished to see your sister eaten by the Beast. As punishment, you will be turned into statues until you repent.”
👉 Very Short Story
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful and kind girl named Belle.
One day, her father got caught in a snowstorm in the forest and was saved by a magical, deserted palace.
On his way home, he picked a rose for Belle, not expecting a beast to suddenly appear.
The beast angrily said, “I saved you last night, and now you steal my favorite rose! You must pay the price!”
It turned out the beast was the owner of the palace.
To see his children one last time, Belle’s father pretended to agree to let Belle take his place in the palace.
When Belle learned about it, she secretly went to the palace, ready to sacrifice herself in her father’s place.
To her surprise, the beast did not harm her and treated her kindly.
The beast was actually a prince, cursed by a fairy because of his wrongdoing. The only way to break the curse was for someone to truly love him.
After Belle’s arrival, the beast grew fond of her.
Over time, Belle also discovered many good qualities in the beast and no longer feared him, even enjoying their conversations.
However, each time the beast asked Belle if she would marry him, she always refused.
The beast sighed and said, “Even though you know I’m human and a prince, my ugly appearance makes it hard for you to accept me. But I am content that you are willing to be my friend.”
One day, Belle asked the beast to let her visit her sick father, promising to return in seven days.
Belle had two jealous sisters who had always envied her beauty and popularity.
When they saw that Belle had not only avoided being eaten by the beast but also wore luxurious clothes and jewelry their father couldn’t afford even before going bankrupt, their jealousy grew. They came up with a plan.
On the seventh day, when Belle was supposed to return to the palace, they pretended to be reluctant to part with her and forced her to stay.
Their real intention was that if Belle didn’t return on time, the beast would get angry and eat her.
Belle, unaware of her sisters’ wicked scheme, agreed to stay seven more days.
But as time passed, she missed the beast more and more and realized she had feelings for him.
She returned to the palace to confess her feelings, only to find the beast dying.
He had fallen ill, believing that Belle no longer wished to return.
With tears in her eyes, Belle said, “You’ve asked me many times if I would marry you. Now, I’ve thought it through. I will!”
Instantly, the curse was lifted, and the beast transformed back into a handsome prince.
From then on, Belle and the prince lived happily ever after.
Leave a Reply