Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything a person could want, he had no love in his heart. One winters night, an old woman came to castle begging the prince for shelter from the cold. In return for the kindness, she offered him a single, perfect rose. Disgusted by her rags, the Prince sneered at her rose and turned the poor woman away. "Do not be fooled by appearances." She warned him "There is beauty to be found in all things." Then in a flash, the woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a lovely enchantress!

As punishment for his selfishness, the enchantress turned the Prince into a hideous beast, the castle into a dark fortress, and the servants into household objects. Before she left, she gave the prince two gifts: a magic mirror that allowed him to see the outside world, and the rose which would only live until his twenty-first birthday.

"If you learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal of the rose has fallen," said the enchantress "the spell will be broken. If not you will remain a beast forever."

A few years passed. One day, in a village not far from the castle, a young girl named Belle was crossing the town square. Belle loved to read, and as usual she had her nose in a book. The handsome but conceited Gaston watched her. Gaston admired Belle almost as much as he admired himself. "She is the girl i am going to marry," he declared.

When belle got home her father, Maurice greeted her excitedly.

That afternoon, Maurice hitched his invention to his horse, Philippe, and set off for the fair. But Maurice and Philippe became lost as they rode through the forest. And it was getting colder and colder. Then they saw a iron gate and slipped thorough it. He followed a path until he came to a dark, forbidding castle. Maurice opened the creaking door and let himself in.

When he was inside he was hungry. He saw a table with full of foods and then he sat down and started to eat. Suddenly a dreadful beast burst into the room! A stranger! roared the Beast. What are you doing here? '' I just needed a place to stay'' said Maurice timidly. I will give you a place to stay ! shouted the beast. Then he scooped Maurice up in his hairy paws and carried him off to the dungeon.

After that, in a village Bella heard Philippe whinnying outside her window. Where is father? she said to the horse. Did something happen to him ? Belle threw on a cloak and leaped onto Philippe's back. Take me to papa she commanded. After, Belle saw her father's hat lying just inside the gate. She tied Philippe to a post and followed the path up to the castle. She pushed the door and stepped inside.

Papa where are you? said Belle and she heard a noise. It was the beast. Trembling with fright, Belle asked him to let her father go. He is an old man, she begged. Take me instead. '' Very well'' said the Beast but you must promise to stay forever. You have my word, replied Belle. Then before Belle could say a proper good bye. The Beast dragged Maurice away and sent him home in an enchanted coach.