An old man was once passing by a mansion when he noticed a beautiful garden. so he stopped to pick a rose for his daughter. Suddenly, a ferocious beast pounced on him and yelled, “How dare you steal from my garden!” The beast grabbed the man by his feet and began dragging him away.

“Please don't kill me,” pleaded the man, “I have many daughters who need me. What can I do for you that you might forgive me?”

The ugly beast said, “Look at me, a beast. I'm so lonely. Bring me one of your daughters to keep me company, and I promise, I'll treat her well. But whichever daughter should come, she must agree to come willingly and must remain my prisoner till I release her.” Then the beast leaned in closer to the old man and said, “I'll release you, but if you or one of your daughters doesn't return, I'll hunt down all of you and eat you one by one, and you, last of all.”

The father returned home in tears and explained his horrible story. Beauty, however, was not afraid and told her father that she would go.

When Beauty arrived at the mansion there was no one there. The table was spread with food so she sat down to eat. A voice spoke behind her, “My house is yours, find yourself a place to sleep.” She turned around, but no one was there.

The next day as she walked in the garden, the beast came out from behind some bushes. Beauty was startled and fell back against the bushes, and screamed. The beast ran away.

Beauty felt sorry for the beast, and they soon became close friends. After some time she asked him if she could go home and see her family—she promised that she would return. The beast released Beauty and said, “If you come or go, it is up to you, but if you don't return, I'm sure I'll die of a broken heart.”

Beauty was glad to return to her family, but after a month, she grew sad and really missed the beast so she returned to the mansion. When she arrived, she found the beast lying dead in the garden, clutching an old scarf of hers.

She bent over him and wept, “I never realized until now how complete my life was when I was with you.” Her tear fell upon the beast. A bright light suddenly filled the whole garden. When the light faded, she opened her eyes to see a handsome prince standing in front of her. “Because I was once a cruel man, I have been cursed all these years,” said the prince, “but our love has finally released me.”