BEAUTY AND THE BEAST –STORYLINE

A long, long time ago, in the heart of France, stood a beautiful castle. In it lived the Countess and her handsome but vain and somewhat simple son. All the local girls would hang around him in the hope that he would choose one of them to be his bride, and thus become the next Countess.

But the young Count only had eyes for Beauty, the daughter of a local businessman, who unfortunately didn’t return his affection.

It happened that the businessman had to go on a journey across the mountains, and it was agreed that Beauty would stay in the castle while he was away so that he would know she was safe. Obviously the Count saw this as a wonderful opportunity to try and win the affection of Beauty, but, alas, it was not to be.

Whilst on the homeward journey, the businessman encountered a violent storm and took refuge in a castle, deep in the woods. He understood from the housekeeper that a Prince lived in the castle but that, when he had refused shelter to an old lady many years ago, he had been cursed…she would not say more. Having enjoyed the hospitality, the businessman picked a beautiful rose to take back for Beauty, but The Beast suddenly appeared, accused him of stealing the rose, and imprisoned him.

The housekeeper brought the Beast’s magic mirror, in which you always saw the one you love best, so that the businessman could see Beauty and see that she was fine. But the Beast discovered what was going on and threatened to kill the businessman unless Beauty came to the castle. When a servant brought the magic mirror to Beauty and she saw her father, she immediately travelled to the castle on the promise that the Beast would release her father.

 Some days later, Beauty saw in the magic mirror that her father was sick and persuaded the Beast to let her go to him, promising to return in three days. The days passed and Beauty forgot her promise until, one day, she looked in the magic mirror and saw the Beast dying. Realising that she loved him, she rushed back to the Beast’s castle and, sobbing, told the Beast that she truly loved him. At this, the Beast was transformed into a handsome Prince, as Beauty’s declared love had broken the curse and he was returned to his former self.

 The Prince and Beauty were married and, like in all good fairy tales, everyone lived happily ever after.