THE BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Once upon a time a merchant decided to go to the market, he asked his three daughters what she would like as a present.
The first daughter wanted a wonderful and expensive dress, the second a pearl necklace, but the third, whose name was Beauty, the youngest, prettiest and sweetest of them all, said to her father:
“All I want is a rose you’ve picked specially for me!”
While he was turning back home a storm began and he didn’t find a safe place to stay.Finally he saw a bright light.It was a palace .
When he entered he called for the owner but nobody came.There was wonderful food on the table and the merchant was very hungry.He started eating.
He went upstairs and saw a soft bed in one of the rooms.He laid down the bed and slept.In the morning he had breakfast and looked for the owner of the house again,but there was nobody.

When he went to the garden he saw a very beautiful rose and he remembered his promise to Beauty.He picked up the rose but suddenly he heard a loud voice and saw a fearful man. He was like a monster; very ugly, too ugly.The man said:
‘I gave you food and shelter but you stole my flower. Now I want to kill you.’
And the merchant said:
“Forgive me! Forgive me! Don’t kill me! I’ll do anything you say! The rose wasn’t for me, it was for my daughter Beauty.
The man said:
‘I’ll forgive you but bring me your daughter.’
When he turned back home he told his adventure to his daughters and Beauty said:
“Dear father, I’d do anything for you! Don’t worry, you’ll be able to keep your promise and save your life! Take me to the castle.
I’ll stay there in your place!”
The merchant hugged his daughter.
At first Beauty was afraid of the fearful man but then she saw that he wasn’t a bad man.
The days passed, and Beauty and the Beast became good friends. Then one day, the Beast asked the girl to be his wife.
Beauty did not know what to say. That man was such an ugly monster.

‘I understand you Beauty.Don’t worry.’
Time passed and one day the Beast showed her a magic mirror.She could see her family in the mirror.
One day Beauty was crying near the mirror.The Beast asked:
‘What’s the problem Beauty.Why are you crying?
Beauty said:
‘My father is very ill.I want to see him a lot.
Please let me go.’
Beast said:
‘You can’t go anywhere.You should stay here during your life.’
But after some time he said:
“If you swear that you will return here in seven days time, I’ll let you go and visit your father!”
Beauty said:
“I swear! I swear I will! ‘
When he went to see her father,he started to feel better and after some time he was completely well.
Beauty soon understood that seven days passed and it was time to go.
Then one night she woke from a terrible nightmare.
In her nightmare Beast was dying.She was very sad.She took her horse and she went to the castle again.She saw that Beast was really very ill.
She said:
“Don’t die! Don’t die! I’ll marry you . . .I love you.”
At these words, a miracle took place.
The Beast’s ugly face turned into the face of a handsome young man.
He said:
‘Dear Beauty I couldn’t tell you my secret. An evil witch turned me into a monster and only love would make me turn myself again.And you are my love.’
They got married and lived happily together.

Answer the qestions:

1. What was Beauty like?
– ……………………………………
2. What did she want as a present?
– ……………………………………
3. Why did the merchant enter the palace?
– ……………………………………
4. What did he do when he entered the garden?
– ……………………………………
5. What was the owner of the house like?
– ……………………………………
6. Why did the merchant bring Beauty to the monster?
– ……………………………………
7. What did the monster say when Beauty didn’t accept his marriage offer?
– ……………………………………
8. Why did Beauty go to her father’s house?
– ……………………………………
9. Why did she want to turn back?
– ……………………………………
10. What happened when she said ‘I love you’?
– ……………………………………

Answers:
1. She was the prettiest, the youngest and the sweetest of all the sisters
2. She wanted a rose. 3. Because he was tired.
4. He picked up a rose. 5. He was like a monster.
6. Because the man wanted to kill him. 7. He said it wasn’t important.
8. Because his father was ill. 9. Because she had a nightmare.
10. The ugly man turned into a handsome prince