Beauty and the Enchanted Rose: A Tale of Kindness and True Beauty – Bedtime Story for kids
“Beauty and the Enchanted Rose” is a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated bedtime tale that will captivate young hearts and remind readers of all ages about the enduring power of kindness. Perfect for bedtime reading or family story time, this classic fairy tale has been reimagined to inspire a new generation. This timeless story teaches valuable life lessons about the importance of empathy, keeping promises, and embracing the beauty that resides within us all. As Beauty and the Beast’s story unfolds, readers will discover the transformative power of love and the magic that comes from looking beyond outward appearances.
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a very rich merchant who had three daughters. He loved them dearly and spared no expense on their education. They lived in a big, beautiful house in a bustling town. Now, of the three daughters, the youngest one was the most special. She was called Beauty because she had a heart as beautiful as her name. But this specialness made her two elder sisters jealous.
You see, Beauty’s sisters were quite different from her. They were proud of their wealth and looked down on people they thought were beneath them. They spent their days going to fancy parties, attending grand balls, watching plays, listening to concerts, and all sorts of exciting things that rich people do. They thought that because they were wealthy, they were better than everyone else.
But Beauty was different. She loved to read good books and spend time with people who needed help. She wasn’t interested in fancy parties and pretty dresses like her sisters. She cared about kindness and being friendly to everyone.
One day, something unexpected happened. The merchant, who was so rich, lost all his money. He had to sell his big house and everything in it. All they had left was a small country house far away from town. With tears in his eyes, he told his daughters that they would have to move to the countryside and work to make a living.
The two older sisters were quite upset about this. They thought they could find rich husbands who would take care of them, even though they no longer had any money. But they soon realized that people didn’t want to be friends with them because of their pride and rudeness. Nobody wanted to be around them anymore.
Now, Beauty, being kind and sensible, adapted to their new life in the countryside. She woke up early every morning to clean the house and make breakfast for her family. She worked hard, and as time passed, she grew stronger and healthier than ever before. After her chores, she would read books, play music on her harpsichord, and even sing while she spun yarn.
Her two sisters, on the other hand, didn’t know what to do with themselves. They lazed around all day, feeling sorry for themselves and missing their fancy clothes and wealthy friends. They didn’t like the idea of working, and they were quite unhappy.
People in the village noticed the change in the merchant’s family. They said, “Look at Beauty! She’s so sweet and kind to everyone. She’s a wonderful young lady.” But when they saw the two older sisters behaving badly, they thought, “They got what they deserved. Let them learn to be humble and work hard.”
One day, a letter arrived for the merchant. It was a surprising letter that brought both good and bad news. It said that a ship he thought was lost at sea had safely arrived. The ship was full of valuable goods like bolts of cloth and silks that he had purchased. The family rejoiced at the news.
The two older sisters saw this as an opportunity to regain their wealthy lifestyles. They immediately asked their father for expensive gifts – one wanted a new necklace made of gems, and the other wanted a thick golden chain. But Beauty, being the humble and thoughtful person she was, asked for something simple – a single rose.
So, the merchant set off on a long journey to retrieve his goods from the ship. But when he arrived there, he faced many problems. There were disputes and arguments about who owned the ship and its cargo. Despite his best efforts, he returned home empty-handed, except for a single rose that he had picked along the way.
When he arrived back at their country house, he gave the necklace and gold chain to his elder daughters. They were thrilled with their gifts. Then, he gave the single rose to Beauty, and as he handed it to her, he let out a deep sigh.
Beauty noticed her father’s sadness and asked, “Why did you sigh so deeply when you gave me this rose, Father?”
The merchant paused for a moment and then said, “My dear Beauty, there is a story behind this rose, and I will share it with you. But first, let’s enjoy our time together.”
So, the family spent the evening together, sharing stories and laughter. But as the night grew late, the merchant couldn’t keep the secret any longer. He began to tell them about his journey and the Beast he had encountered in a magical garden.
As he spoke, the room seemed to grow colder, and the air was filled with tension. Beauty’s sisters grew fearful, but Beauty listened with curiosity and empathy. She knew there was more to the story.
The merchant explained how the Beast had given him shelter and kindness in his enchanted palace. He shared how the Beast had asked for one of his daughters in exchange for the rose, and how he had promised to send one of them to the palace within three months.
Beauty, with a heavy heart, understood the situation. She knew what she had to do. She turned to her father and said, “Father, do not worry. I will go to the Beast’s palace. I will keep my promise, and I hope to return safely. We must not break our word.”
Her sisters were shocked and protested, “Beauty, you can’t go! It’s too dangerous. We can’t let our sister face such a terrible creature.”
But Beauty was determined. She knew that it was the right thing to do. She hugged her father tightly and assured him, “I will go, Father, and I will do my best to be brave and kind. We must keep our promises.”
The next morning, Beauty and her father set out for the Beast’s palace. As they approached, they were filled with a sense of both fear and anticipation. What would they find in this mysterious place?
When they arrived, the palace stood before them, majestic and imposing. The doors swung open on their own, revealing a grand hall. It was filled with warm light, and a table was set with delicious food and drinks.
The merchant and Beauty entered the hall and waited, expecting someone to greet them. But no one appeared. They looked around in awe at the magnificent furniture and decorations.
The merchant said, “It seems we are expected guests. Let’s sit down and see what happens.”
They sat at the table, and to their surprise, invisible hands served them food and poured drinks. They ate and drank to their heart’s content, feeling both grateful and perplexed.
Hours passed, and Beauty couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder about the palace. She whispered to her father, “Father, this place is magical, but where is our host?”
The merchant replied, “I do not know, my dear. Perhaps they will reveal themselves soon.”
As they finished their meal, the table cleared itself and disappeared as if carried away by unseen servants. The merchant and Beauty decided to explore the palace, moving from one room to another, each more splendid than the last.
Finally, they reached a chamber where they found a luxurious bed. It looked so inviting that Beauty felt her eyelids grow heavy. She said, “Father, I am quite tired. May I rest here for a while?”
Her father agreed, and Beauty laid down on the comfortable bed. As she closed her eyes, she murmured, “I hope we meet our host soon.”
As Beauty drifted into slumber, she had a strange dream. In her dream, she saw a magnificent garden filled with roses of every color imaginable. Amidst the roses stood a fearsome beast, but his eyes held a sadness that touched her heart.
The merchant sat nearby, and as Beauty approached the garden, she heard the Beast speak. “Is this your youngest daughter?”
The merchant nodded and replied, “Yes, it is.”
The Beast turned to Beauty and asked, “Is she willing to stay here with me?”
Beauty, in her dream, looked at the Beast and said with kindness, “Yes, sir.”
The dream continued as the merchant and Beauty spoke about the garden, the palace, and her father’s business. Beauty was no longer afraid of the Beast but felt a deep sympathy for his lonely existence.
As the dream came to an end, Beauty saw the Beast sigh with sadness. “Beauty,” he said, “will you be my wife?”
Beauty hesitated in her dream, unsure of how to respond. She woke up from her slumber in the chamber, her heart racing. The palace around her remained silent, and her father was nowhere to be seen.
Beauty knew that she couldn’t hide from the question forever. She needed to face the Beast and give him her honest answer. She rose from the bed and went to explore the palace, hoping to find her father and her host.
In another part of the palace, her father was also searching for Beauty. He had wandered into a room filled with exquisite art and beautiful music. As he admired the paintings, he felt a sense of unease. He knew that he needed to find his daughter and make sure she was safe.
Beauty and her father continued their separate journeys through the palace, guided by an unspoken hope that they would reunite and find answers to their questions. But little did they know that their lives were about to change in ways they could never have imagined.
But the palace remained eerily silent, and there was no sign of their mysterious host, the Beast. Beauty couldn’t shake the memory of her dream, where she had seen the Beast’s loneliness and sadness. She knew that she had to confront her feelings and make a decision about his proposal.
Meanwhile, the merchant had entered a grand hall filled with beautiful paintings and sculptures. He couldn’t help but admire the exquisite artistry surrounding him. However, his worry for Beauty weighed heavily on his mind, and he couldn’t find solace in the opulence of the palace.
As he walked through the hall, he heard a soft voice coming from one of the paintings. “Are you searching for someone, kind traveler?”
Startled, the merchant turned toward the voice and saw a magnificent portrait of a woman, her eyes filled with warmth and wisdom.
“Yes,” the merchant replied, “I am searching for my daughter, Beauty. She and I arrived here together, but we seem to have become separated.”
The woman in the painting smiled gently. “Fear not, for your daughter is safe in this palace. But you must both confront your deepest fears and desires to find happiness.”
With those cryptic words, the woman’s image in the painting faded away, leaving the merchant standing in silent contemplation.
Back in the chamber where Beauty had woken from her dream, she decided that she couldn’t delay her decision any longer. She needed to find the Beast and give him her answer. With determination in her heart, she left the chamber and continued her exploration of the palace.
As Beauty wandered through the palace’s grand halls and corridors, she couldn’t help but think about her family, especially her father. She missed them dearly and hoped that they were safe. But she also felt a growing sense of responsibility and compassion toward the Beast, who had shown her kindness despite his terrifying appearance.
Hours passed, and the palace seemed to shift and change around her, as if it had a mind of its own. Finally, as the sun began to set, Beauty entered a beautiful garden filled with roses. It was just like the one in her dream.
And there, in the center of the garden, stood the Beast. He turned toward Beauty, his eyes filled with hope and uncertainty.
Beauty took a deep breath and said, “Beast, I have thought long and hard about your proposal. While your appearance may be frightening, I have seen the kindness in your heart. I may not love you yet, but I am willing to try. I promise to stay here with you.”
The Beast’s eyes filled with gratitude and joy. In an instant, he transformed before her eyes. The terrifying Beast became a handsome prince, more beautiful than Beauty could have imagined.
He smiled at her and said, “You have broken the curse that held me captive, Beauty. It was not my appearance that needed to change, but my heart. Your kindness and willingness to see beyond the surface have set me free.”
Beauty and the prince were overjoyed, knowing that they had found true love in each other. They spent their days exploring the palace, reading books, playing music, and tending to the magnificent garden together.
Back in the grand hall, the merchant also found happiness. He realized that the greatest treasure in life was not wealth or possessions, but the love and well-being of his daughter. He embraced Beauty and the prince and celebrated their love.
And so, in the magical palace filled with wonders, Beauty and the prince, along with her father, lived happily ever after. They learned that love and kindness could transform even the most frightening of appearances and that true beauty lay within the heart.
And as for Beauty’s sisters, they learned valuable lessons too. They realized that wealth and appearances were not the most important things in life and that true happiness came from within.
And thus, their story became a beloved tale, passed down through generations, teaching children the power of love, kindness, and the beauty that lies within us all.
This story teaches several valuable lessons to children:
- The Importance of Kindness: Beauty’s kindness and compassion toward the Beast are central to the story. It emphasizes that being kind and understanding toward others, even those who may seem different or intimidating, is a noble and rewarding trait.
- Not Judging Based on Appearances: The story shows that true beauty goes beyond outward appearances. Beauty sees past the Beast’s frightening exterior to the kind heart within, teaching children not to judge people solely on how they look.
- Keeping Promises: Beauty’s unwavering commitment to keeping her promise to the Beast demonstrates the importance of honoring one’s word and being responsible for our commitments.
- Courage and Facing Fears: Beauty’s journey requires her to be brave and confront her fears. It teaches children that facing challenges and fears can lead to personal growth and positive outcomes.
- Family Values: The story highlights the bond between Beauty and her father, emphasizing the love and support within families. It shows that family is a source of strength and understanding.
- Inner Transformation: The transformation of the Beast into a prince illustrates that personal growth and change can come from within. It encourages children to strive for self-improvement and to work on their character.
- Happiness Comes from Within: Beauty and the prince find happiness through love and acceptance rather than material possessions. This message encourages children to seek happiness through meaningful relationships and inner contentment.
- Learning from Mistakes: Beauty’s sisters’ behavior and eventual realization of their mistakes teach children that it’s okay to make errors but important to learn from them and grow as individuals.
In essence, this story teaches children about the power of love, kindness, empathy, and inner beauty. It encourages them to be open-minded, compassionate, and to value the qualities that make a person truly beautiful, both inside and out.
