Beauty and the Beast

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

For older kids, it’s tender and emotionally safe: kindness transforms the whole world. It’s best read slowly, emphasizing comfort, choice, and the gentle ‘spell breaks’ ending.

Story Synopsis

A merchant loses his fortune and travels to seek help for his family. On his way home, he becomes lost in a storm and finds shelter in a mysterious castle. The castle seems empty, yet food appears and warmth surrounds him. Before he leaves, he plucks a rose for his daughter Beauty—who asked only for a simple flower. The act awakens the castle’s owner: the Beast, terrifying in form but clear in his rules. The Beast demands payment for the rose. Beauty, hearing what happened, chooses to go in her father’s place. She arrives afraid but determined. In the castle, Beauty discovers a strange kindness. She is given comfort, books, and freedom to walk the gardens. The Beast visits her each evening, awkward and lonely, and asks the same question: will she marry him? Each time she refuses gently, and each time he respects her answer. Over time, she begins to see his tenderness beneath the frightening exterior. Beauty’s heart changes through small moments—shared dinners, honest conversations, and the sense that she is safe. When she visits her family, she misses the Beast more than she expects. She returns and finds him weakened, believing she has abandoned him. In that moment, she understands her feelings and speaks them with sincerity. Her love breaks the enchantment. The Beast is restored to his true form, the castle wakes from its spell, and the story ends with light and belonging: a home built not on appearances, but on trust and chosen kindness.

Story Excerpt

Once upon a time, in a far - off country, there lived a merchant who had once been very fortunate. He had twelve children — six sons and six daughters — and he loved them dearly. While he was rich, they had grown used to fine clothes, bright rooms, and every little wish being granted. Then, as quickly as a candle can be blown out, trouble came. A fire destroyed the merchant’s house and everything inside it. Not long after, ships that carried his goods were lost upon the sea, and people he trusted were not faithful. In a short time he went from great wealth to deep poverty. All that remained was a small cottage far from town, near a dark forest. The family moved there with heavy hearts. They had no servants now. The sons worked the fields. The daughters learned to cook, sew, scrub, and carry water. The older daughters missed their old life every day. They spoke of parties they would never attend again, and they sighed over dresses they no longer owned. The youngest daughter worked just as hard as the rest, yet she tried to keep her voice cheerful. She sang softly while she swept, and she made small games for her brothers when the day’s work was done. Because she was so lovely and so kind, everyone called her Beauty. Two years passed. The cottage no longer felt quite as strange, and the family had found a steady rhythm — until one afternoon their father received news that one ship, thought long lost, had come safely into port. At once the sons and daughters began to hope. “ We’ll be comfortable again, ” they said. “ We’ll return to town! ” The merchant, cautious and tired from years of disappointment, decided to go alone first and learn the truth. Before he left, his children crowded around him. “ Bring me a necklace, ” said one daughter. “ And silk, ” said another. “ And jewels, ” they added — asking for gifts so costly it would have taken a fortune. Beauty said nothing. Her father noticed. “ And what shall I bring for you, Beauty? ” “ The only thing I wish, ” she answered, “ is to see you come home safely. ” But he smiled at her and insisted she choose. “ Then, dear Father, ” Beauty said at last, “ please bring me a rose. I have not seen one since we came here,…

In One Glance