Beauty and the Beast, illustrated by Robert Anning Bell
This story belongs to The Banbury Cross Series, published by J. M. Dent & Co. at Aldine House in Great Eastern Street in 1894. It's the second of two fairy tales presented in the book (the first one is Jack the Giant Killer).
This story belongs to The Banbury Cross Series, published by J. M. Dent & Co. at Aldine House in Great Eastern Street in 1894. It's the second of two fairy tales presented in the book (the first one is Jack the Giant Killer).
The stories are adapted (or, as they wrote, 'prepared' for children) by Grace Rhys who also wrote the introduction. The book is abundantly illustrated by black and white drawings of Robert Anning Bell.
The tales are not of equal length. Jack the Giant Killer uses about one-third and Beauty of the Beast the rest of the book. We'll focus on this one only.
The History of Beauty and the Beast
Once upon a time, there was a merchant who had three daughters.
Once upon a time, there was a merchant who had three daughters.
Two of them were selfish and spoiled. The youngest, who was also by far the prettiest and for that reason called Beauty, had a kind nature and good heart.
A streak of bad luck and wrong business decisions hit the merchant and in a short amount of time, he ran out of money.
They had to leave their luxurious home and move to a modest house out of town.
The daughters were devastated too. Beauty, the youngest, adapted best of all.
She did the daily chores and learned to enjoy in moments. Her sisters, on the other hand, suffered terribly.
Not long after the relocation, the merchant got an optimistic news. One of his ships might be saved and back in the port. He had to leave the girls. He asked them what he should bring them back from the trip.
The older ones wanted luxury stuff but the youngest didn't want a thing. Her father insisted on bringing her something and then she expressed a wish - she would like to have a rose.
Not long after the relocation, the merchant got an optimistic news. One of his ships might be saved and back in the port. He had to leave the girls. He asked them what he should bring them back from the trip.
The older ones wanted luxury stuff but the youngest didn't want a thing. Her father insisted on bringing her something and then she expressed a wish - she would like to have a rose.
The business trip was not successful. On the way home, the merchant was caught by night in the middle of the wood. Luckily he found a castle but it looked empty. The lights were on.
He entered anyway and enjoyed delicious food and a soft bed. He didn't see a living being.
When he left the castle in the morning, he noticed a rose bush in the garden. He wanted to bring at least something to at least one of his daughters.
When he left the castle in the morning, he noticed a rose bush in the garden. He wanted to bring at least something to at least one of his daughters.
That was a mistake. A huge mistake.
A strange-looking creature appeared in front of him and accused him of ungratefulness. He was wined and dined and this is how he returns hospitality? He should die!
The merchant admitted his guilt. He deserved the punishment. He asked just for a delay of a few days so he could say goodbye to his children.
The merchant admitted his guilt. He deserved the punishment. He asked just for a delay of a few days so he could say goodbye to his children.
Beauty was delighted with the rose. Not so delighted when she heard about the price it should be paid.
She begged her father to take her to the castle with the Beast. She wanted to take his place. She believed it was her fault. The fatal rose was her wish after all.
The Beast agreed with her proposition. She could save her father's life by staying with the Beast in the castle. Even more. Father returned home with a chest full of precious stuff.
Beauty lived in the castle for a while. Most of the time she was bored. The Beast joined her only at dinners.
Gradually, they became friends. Beauty discovered she actually likes the Beast. He was gentle and caring and made her great company. If he just didn't look so repulsive.
Then she became homesick. She asked the Beast for permission to return home.
He agreed on one condition. She has to return in one week. If not, he will die.
Beauty returned home and her sisters became jealous when they found out how much luxury she had.
They tricked her into staying longer than a week. They wanted to ruin her relationship with the Beast.
But Beauty had a dream. She dreamt of the Beast crying for help and remembered she should be already back at the castle.
Gradually, they became friends. Beauty discovered she actually likes the Beast. He was gentle and caring and made her great company. If he just didn't look so repulsive.
Then she became homesick. She asked the Beast for permission to return home.
He agreed on one condition. She has to return in one week. If not, he will die.
Beauty returned home and her sisters became jealous when they found out how much luxury she had.
They tricked her into staying longer than a week. They wanted to ruin her relationship with the Beast.
But Beauty had a dream. She dreamt of the Beast crying for help and remembered she should be already back at the castle.
She ran as fast as she could. She couldn't find the Beast. She already started believing it was too late.
Then she found him lying in the garden. At that very moment, she realized how much he meant to her. She was in love with the Beast. She wanted to marry him!
Now it was her turn. Beauty took care of the Beast while he was recovering. His health improved.
His looks changed too. He had a look of the Beast only because of the spell of the witch.
When he met somebody who was able to love him despite his appearance, the spell lost its power.
He became a handsome prince again.
His looks changed too. He had a look of the Beast only because of the spell of the witch.
When he met somebody who was able to love him despite his appearance, the spell lost its power.
He became a handsome prince again.
The whole castle changed. Suddenly it was full of people and joy. There was a lot of excitement. The prince was back! They have to prepare for marriage.
It was a great party. Except for Beauty's jealous sisters. They were changed into stone sculptures so their overall look would match their cold hearts.
This is the end of the (hi)story of Beauty and the Beast. If you liked the illustrations but would enjoy some colors as well, you are invited to visit Eleanore Vere Boyle's vision of the same fairy tale.
https://past-tense.mystrikingly.com/blog/beauty-and-the-beast-by-eleanor-vere-boyle
This is the end of the (hi)story of Beauty and the Beast. If you liked the illustrations but would enjoy some colors as well, you are invited to visit Eleanore Vere Boyle's vision of the same fairy tale.
https://past-tense.mystrikingly.com/blog/beauty-and-the-beast-by-eleanor-vere-boyle