Peters - The Everything Fairy Tales Book

In Beauty and the Beast, a nasty witch casts a spell on a handsome prince and turns him into the wretched Beast. This is a form of enchantment; magic is used to transform something into something else. Enchantment is a common theme in fairy tales. Sometimes handsome princes are turned into warty frogs, beautiful maidens are made ugly, or people or animals are transformed into objects.

Can you think of any fairy tales in which a form of enchantment occurs? How is the enchantment broken?

Once upon a time there was a merchant who had three daughters. They lived in a nice house and had many servants. The two eldest daughters were named Marigold and Dressalinda. They weren't particularly nice and they loved to spend money. But Beauty, the youngest, preferred to stay at home with her old father.

One day, great misfortune befell the merchant, who had made his money in shipping. He found that he was no longer the richest man in the city. Now he was a very poor man. He was left with only a little house in the country where he went to live with his three daughters.

Marigold and Dressalinda were very angry at becoming so poor, but Beauty's only thought was to cheer on and encourage her old father. The two eldest sisters did nothing but sulk and complain, while Beauty swept the floors and washed the dishes. In this way a whole year passed. Then one day a letter came for the father. He relayed the good news to them. My dear children, he said, at last our luck has turned. This letter says that one of the ships supposedly lost at sea has come safely home to port. If that is so, we need no longer live in poverty. I will go claim my ship. And now tell me, girls, what shall I bring you when I come back?

A bag of gold and silver, said Marigold, filled with greed.

I want fancy new clothes, said Dressalinda.

And what shall I bring for you, Beauty? asked the father.

Oh, I don't know. I think I would like a rose, said Beauty.

The merchant looked at his daughter. But Beauty, you can have anything. Are you sure that's all you want?

Well, we don't have any roses around here, and I do miss the gardens of our old place.

Full of hope, the merchant went to the city. But when he got there, he found that he'd been tricked. No ship of his had come into harbor. With a sad heart, he began the journey home again. He was tired and miserable. He was almost home when he saw a light in the forest. He decided to make his way toward the light. He expected to find a cottage, but as he drew near the light he saw a beautiful castle! He knocked at the gates, but no one answered. So he went in on his own.

There was a big fire in the hall, and when the merchant had warmed up, he looked to see if anyone was home. Behind the first door he opened was a snug room with supper set for one. By this time, he was so hungry that he sat and ate a giant meal.

Once again the merchant started to look for the people who lived in the castle. He opened another door, but there he saw only a bed. He was so tired that he tumbled into the bed and went right to sleep.

When he woke up in the morning, the old man had something else to be happy about. By the bed were clothes with his name stitched on the pockets. He put them on and went down to the garden. It was full of lush roses: red and white and pink and yellow. As the merchant looked at them, he remembered Beauty's wish.