ENGLISH

A long time ago, a magician wanted a very special magic lamp. But the lamp was in a cave in China. The magician couldn't go into the cave to get the lamp. Only a boy could get the magic lamp from the cave.

The magician went to China. There, in a market, he saw a poor boy. The boy had a basket of bread.

'What's your name, boy?' asked the magician. 'Aladdin, sir,' said the boy. 'Please, buy my bread.'

'Yes, you can sell me your bread...,' said the magician, 'and then I can take you to the mountains to see a magic garden in a secret cave!'

'Here's the bread!' said Aladdin. 'Now take me to the mountains. I want to see the secret cave and the magic garden!'

The magician and Aladdin went to the mountains. They ate Aladdin's bread on the journey.

'Here's the cave,' said the magician. 'You, Aladdin, must go into the cave and get the magic lamp.'

'But I can't go into the cave,' said Aladdin 'The stone door is closed.'

'You must pull the brass ring to open the door.'

'Then you can go in,' said the magician

Aladdin pulled the ring. The stone door opened and he saw some steps in the dark cave.

'Go down the steps to the magic garden,' said the magician. 'There's a beautiful fruit tree in the garden. Under the tree there's a brass lamp. You must bring the lamp to me.'

'Hurry, Aladdin! Go and bring me the lamp!'

Aladdin went down the steps. It was very dark. But suddenly, he saw a light. It was the magic garden! Aladdin went into the magic garden.

There were beautiful flowers and wonderful trees, but one tree was more beautiful than the others. It was the fruit tree! All the fruit were different colors and different shapes.

Aladdin ate some of the fruit. It was delicious!

Then Aladdin saw the lamp under the tree. He took it and started to go back to the magician. 'I've got the lamp!' he shouted.

'Hurry! Hurry! Bring me the lamp! I must go home!' said the magician.

Aladdin went up the steps with the lamp... but the door closed!

The magician was very angry because he didn't have the magic lamp. He went back home, to a country far away.

Aladdin was alone in the dark cave. 'Help! Help!' he said. 'I can't open the door.'

But the magician wasn't there. The magician was at home, in a country far away from China.

Aladdin was afraid. The door was closed and he couldn't open it. He wanted to go home.

Then Aladdin looked at the magic lamp. It was dirty, so he rubbed it on his shirt to clean it.

Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! There was a blue, red, orange and green cloud in the cave!

'I am the genie of the lamp,' said the genie. 'Your wish is my command...'

'I... I... I want to go home,' said Aladdin. 'Please, take me home!'

Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! Aladdin was at home with his mother!

'What's this? An old brass lamp?' asked Aladdin's mother. 'I can clean it. I can sell it in the market, and then I can buy some food for us.'

She took the lamp and started to rub it.

'No! Give me the lamp,' said Aladdin. 'It's a magic lamp!'

'Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! There was a blue, red, orange and green cloud in the house.'

'I am the genie of the lamp,' said the genie. 'Your wish is my command.'

'I want a beautiful house, some lovely clothes... and a lot of jewels!' said Aladdin's mother.

Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! Aladdin and his mother had a beautiful house, lovely clothes, and a lot of jewels. They were rich now!

Aladdin helped the poor people in the town. He gave them money and food, and everyone loved him.

Some years later Aladdin married a beautiful princess, the Emperor's daughter. The Emperor liked Aladdin because he was kind to the poor people.

Aladdin and the princess lived in a beautiful palace with a garden. They were very happy. Aladdin's mother lived with them.

One day Aladdin was in the palace reading a book. The princess was in the garden. She saw a poor old man with a big basket of lamps outside the garden. 'New lamps for old!' he shouted. 'Bring me your old lamps. I've got new lamps to give you.'

'What a good idea!' thought the princess. 'I can give him Aladdin's old lamp, and he can give me a lovely new lamp for Aladdin!'

The old man took the old lamp from the princess. Thank you, Princess. You're very kind,' he said.

'Why do you want old lamps?' said the princess.

'Ha!' he said. 'I only want one old lamp - this one! It's a magic lamp with a genie. And it can make me a rich man!'

'Oh! You're not a poor old man,' said the princess. 'You're the magician!'

'Yes, Princess,' said the magician. 'And now we must go - far away, to my country!'

The magician took the lamp, and rubbed it.

Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! There was a blue, red, orange and green cloud in the garden.

'I am the genie of the lamp,' said the genie. 'Your wish is my command.'

'Take us and Aladdin's palace to my country,' said the magician.

Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! Suddenly, they were far away.

There was no town. There were no people. They were in the desert.

'Please, Aladdin, take us home!' said the Princess.

'Don't be sad, my Princess,' said Aladdin. 'We must get the magic lamp! I've got an idea. We can ask the magician to eat with us this evening. We can give him a drink with a magic potion.'

'A magic sleeping potion!' said the princess. 'Yes!' said Aladdin. 'And, when he's asleep, I can take the magic lamp from him.'

'We can put the sleeping potion in some orange juice!' said the princess.

'Good idea!' said Aladdin.

That evening, the magician went to Aladdin's palace.

'Do you like it here in my country?' asked the magician.

'Yes, the desert is strange and beautiful,' said Aladdin. 'But we want to go home.'

'Oh, no!' said the magician. 'You must stay here forever.'

'Would you like some orange juice?' said the princess. 'It's very good. It's from the orange trees in my garden.'

'Thank you,' said the magician.

Suddenly, the magician was asleep! Aladdin took the magic lamp from him and rubbed it.

Whoosh! Whoosh!! Whoosh!!! There was a blue, red, orange and green cloud in the palace.

'I am the genie of the lamp,' said the genie. 'Your wish is my command.'

'Please, take us home. But we don't want to take the magician,' said Aladdin. 'He can stay here in the desert. Forever!'

The Emperor was very happy to see his daughter and Aladdin again.

'Tomorrow evening everyone can come to a party at my palace!' said the Emperor.

'What a good idea!' said Aladdin's mother.

It was a wonderful party. There was a lot to eat and drink. There was music, and people danced and sang in the Emperor's gardens.

Everyone was happy to see Aladdin and the princess again. 'Aladdin, where's the magician?' asked the Emperor. 'Ah!' said Aladdin. 'He's far away, in the desert... and he can stay there forever!'

'Aladdin, you must tell me... where's the magic lamp?' asked the Emperor.

'That,' said Aladdin, 'is a secret!'



-- THE END --
-- Writing by: Ruth Hobart

There was once a very rich merchant, who had six children, three sons, and three daughters; being a man of sense, he spared no cost for their education, but gave them all kinds of masters. His daughters were extremely handsome, especially the youngest. When she was little everybody admired her, and called her "The little Beauty;" so that, as she grew up, she still went by the name of Beauty, which made her sisters very jealous.

The youngest, as she was handsomer, was also better than her sisters. The two eldest had a great deal of pride, because they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous airs, and would not visit other merchants' daughters, nor keep company with any but persons of quality. They went out every day to parties of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, and so forth, and they laughed at their youngest sister, because she spent the greatest part of her time in reading good books.

As it was known that they were great fortunes, several eminent merchants made their addresses to them; but the two eldest said, they would never marry, unless they could meet with a duke, or an earl at least. Beauty very civilly thanked them that courted her, and told them she was too young yet to marry, but chose to stay with her father a few years longer.

All at once the merchant lost his whole fortune, excepting a small country house at a great distance from town, and told his children with tears in his eyes, they must go there and work for their living. The two eldest answered, that they would not leave the town, for they had several lovers, who they were sure would be glad to have them, though they had no fortune; but the good ladies were mistaken, for their lovers slighted and forsook them in their poverty.

As they were not beloved on account of their pride, everybody said; they do not deserve to be pitied, we are very glad to see their pride humbled, let them go and give themselves quality airs in milking the cows and minding their dairy. But, added they, we are extremely concerned for Beauty, she was such a charming, sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly to poor people, and was of such an affable, obliging behavior. Nay, several gentlemen would have married her, though they knew she had not a penny; but she told them she could not think of leaving her poor father in his misfortunes, but was determined to go along with him into the country to comfort and attend him.

Poor Beauty at first was sadly grieved at the loss of her fortune; "but," said she to herself, "were I to cry ever so much, that would not make things better, I must try to make myself happy without a fortune."

When they came to their country house, the merchant and his three sons applied themselves to husbandry and tillage; and Beauty rose at four in the morning, and made haste to have the house clean, and dinner ready for the family. In the beginning she found it very difficult, for she had not been used to work as a servant, but in less than two months she grew stronger and healthier than ever. After she had done her work, she read, played on the harpsichord, or else sung whilst she spun.

On the contrary, her two sisters did not know how to spend their time; they got up at ten, and did nothing but saunter about the whole day, lamenting the loss of their fine clothes and acquaintance. "Do but see our youngest sister," said they, one to the other, "what a poor, stupid, mean-spirited creature she is, to be contented with such an unhappy dismal situation."

The good merchant was of quite a different opinion; he knew very well that Beauty outshone her sisters, in her person as well as her mind, and admired her humility and industry, but above all her humility and patience; for her sisters not only left her all the work of the house to do, but insulted her every moment.

The family had lived about a year in this retirement, when the merchant received a letter with an account that a vessel, on board of which he had effects, was safely arrived. This news had liked to have turned the heads of the two eldest daughters, who immediately flattered themselves with the hopes of returning to town, for they were quite weary of a country life; and when they saw their father ready to set out, they begged of him to buy them new gowns, headdresses, ribbons, and all manner of trifles; but Beauty asked for nothing for she thought to herself, that all the money her father was going to receive, would scarce be sufficient to purchase everything her sisters wanted.

"What will you have, Beauty?" said her father.

"Since you have the goodness to think of me," answered she, "be so kind to bring me a rose, for as none grows hereabouts, they are a kind of rarity." Not that Beauty cared for a rose, but she asked for something, lest she should seem by her example to condemn her sisters' conduct, who would have said she did it only to look particular.

The good man went on his journey, but when he came there, they went to law with him about the merchandise, and after a great deal of trouble and pains to no purpose, he came back as poor as before.

He was within thirty miles of his own house, thinking on the pleasure he should have in seeing his children again, when going through a large forest he lost himself. It rained and snowed terribly; besides, the wind was so high, that it threw him twice off his horse, and night coming on, he began to apprehend being either starved to death with cold and hunger, or else devoured by the wolves, whom he heard howling all round him, when, on a sudden, looking through a long walk of trees, he saw a light at some distance, and going on a little farther perceived it came from a palace illuminated from top to bottom.

The merchant returned God thanks for this happy discovery, and hastened to the place, but was greatly surprised at not meeting with any one in the outer courts. His horse followed him, and seeing a large stable open, went in, and finding both hay and oats, the poor beast, who was almost famished, fell to eating very heartily; the merchant tied him up to the manger, and walking towards the house, where he saw no one, but entering into a large hall, he found a good fire, and a table plentifully set out with but one cover laid. As he was wet quite through with the rain and snow, he drew near the fire to dry himself. "I hope," said he, "the master of the house, or his servants will excuse the liberty I take; I suppose it will not be long before some of them appear."

He waited a considerable time, until it struck eleven, and still nobody came. At last he was so hungry that he could stay no longer, but took a chicken, and ate it in two mouthfuls, trembling all the while. After this he drank a few glasses of wine, and growing more courageous he went out of the hall, and crossed through several grand apartments with magnificent furniture, until he came into a chamber, which had an exceeding good bed in it, and as he was very much fatigued, and it was past midnight, he concluded it was best to shut the door, and go to bed.

It was ten the next morning before the merchant waked, and as he was going to rise he was astonished to see a good suit of clothes in the room of his own, which were quite spoiled; certainly, said he, this palace belongs to some kind fairy, who has seen and pitied my distress.

He looked through a window, but instead of snow saw the most delightful arbors, interwoven with the beautifulest flowers that were ever beheld. He then returned to the great hall, where he had supped the night before, and found some chocolate ready made on a little table. "Thank you, good Madam Fairy," said he aloud, "for being so careful, as to provide me a breakfast; I am extremely obliged to you for all your favors."

The good man drank his chocolate, and then went to look for his horse, but passing through an arbor of roses he remembered Beauty's request to him, and gathered a branch on which were several; immediately he heard a great noise, and saw such a frightful Beast coming towards him, that he was ready to faint away.

"You are very ungrateful," said the Beast to him, in a terrible voice; "I have saved your life by receiving you into my castle, and, in return, you steal my roses, which I value beyond any thing in the universe, but you shall die for it; I give you but a quarter of an hour to prepare yourself, and say your prayers."

The merchant fell on his knees, and lifted up both his hands, "My lord," said he, "I beseech you to forgive me, indeed I had no intention to offend in gathering a rose for one of my daughters, who desired me to bring her one."

"My name is not My Lord," replied the monster, "but Beast; I don't love compliments, not I. I like people to speak as they think; and so do not imagine, I am to be moved by any of your flattering speeches. But you say you have got daughters. I will forgive you, on condition that one of them come willingly, and suffer for you. Let me have no words, but go about your business, and swear that if your daughter refuse to die in your stead, you will return within three months."

The merchant had no mind to sacrifice his daughters to the ugly monster, but he thought, in obtaining this respite, he should have the satisfaction of seeing them once more, so he promised, upon oath, he would return, and the Beast told him he might set out when he pleased, "but," added he, "you shall not depart empty handed; go back to the room where you lay, and you will see a great empty chest; fill it with whatever you like best, and I will send it to your home," and at the same time Beast withdrew.

"Well," said the good man to himself, "if I must die, I shall have the comfort, at least, of leaving something to my poor children." He returned to the bedchamber, and finding a great quantity of broad pieces of gold, he filled the great chest the Beast had mentioned, locked it, and afterwards took his horse out of the stable, leaving the palace with as much grief as he had entered it with joy. The horse, of his own accord, took one of the roads of the forest, and in a few hours the good man was at home.

His children came round him, but instead of receiving their embraces with pleasure, he looked on them, and holding up the branch he had in his hands, he burst into tears. "Here, Beauty," said he, "take these roses, but little do you think how dear they are like to cost your unhappy father," and then related his fatal adventure. Immediately the two eldest set up lamentable outcries, and said all manner of ill-natured things to Beauty, who did not cry at all.

"Do but see the pride of that little wretch," said they; "she would not ask for fine clothes, as we did; but no truly, Miss wanted to distinguish herself, so now she will be the death of our poor father, and yet she does not so much as shed a tear."

"Why should I," answered Beauty, "it would be very needless, for my father shall not suffer upon my account, since the monster will accept of one of his daughters, I will deliver myself up to all his fury, and I am very happy in thinking that my death will save my father's life, and be a proof of my tender love for him."

"No, sister," said her three brothers, "that shall not be, we will go find the monster, and either kill him, or perish in the attempt."

"Do not imagine any such thing, my sons," said the merchant, "Beast's power is so great, that I have no hopes of your overcoming him. I am charmed with Beauty's kind and generous offer, but I cannot yield to it. I am old, and have not long to live, so can only loose a few years, which I regret for your sakes alone, my dear children."

"Indeed father," said Beauty, "you shall not go to the palace without me, you cannot hinder me from following you." It was to no purpose all they could say. Beauty still insisted on setting out for the fine palace, and her sisters were delighted at it, for her virtue and amiable qualities made them envious and jealous.

The merchant was so afflicted at the thoughts of losing his daughter, that he had quite forgot the chest full of gold, but at night when he retired to rest, no sooner had he shut his chamber door, than, to his great astonishment, he found it by his bedside; he was determined, however, not to tell his children, that he was grown rich, because they would have wanted to return to town, and he was resolved not to leave the country; but he trusted Beauty with the secret, who informed him, that two gentlemen came in his absence, and courted her sisters; she begged her father to consent to their marriage, and give them fortunes, for she was so good, that she loved them and forgave heartily all their ill usage.

These wicked creatures rubbed their eyes with an onion to force some tears when they parted with their sister, but her brothers were really concerned. Beauty was the only one who did not shed tears at parting, because she would not increase their uneasiness.

The horse took the direct road to the palace, and towards evening they perceived it illuminated as at first. The horse went of himself into the stable, and the good man and his daughter came into the great hall, where they found a table splendidly served up, and two covers.

The merchant had no heart to eat, but Beauty, endeavoring to appear cheerful, sat down to table, and helped him. "Afterwards," thought she to herself, "Beast surely has a mind to fatten me before he eats me, since he provides such plentiful entertainment." When they had supped they heard a great noise, and the merchant, all in tears, bid his poor child, farewell, for he thought Beast was coming. Beauty was sadly terrified at his horrid form, but she took courage as well as she could, and the monster having asked her if she came willingly; "ye -- e -- es," said she, trembling.

The beast responded, "You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you; honest man, go your ways tomorrow morning, but never think of coming here again."

"Farewell Beauty, farewell Beast," answered he, and immediately the monster withdrew. "Oh, daughter," said the merchant, embracing Beauty, "I am almost frightened to death, believe me, you had better go back, and let me stay here."

"No, father," said Beauty, in a resolute tone, "you shall set out tomorrow morning, and leave me to the care and protection of providence." They went to bed, and thought they should not close their eyes all night; but scarce were they laid down, than they fell fast asleep, and Beauty dreamed, a fine lady came, and said to her, "I am content, Beauty, with your good will, this good action of yours in giving up your own life to save your father's shall not go unrewarded." Beauty waked, and told her father her dream, and though it helped to comfort him a little, yet he could not help crying bitterly, when he took leave of his dear child.

As soon as he was gone, Beauty sat down in the great hall, and fell a crying likewise; but as she was mistress of a great deal of resolution, she recommended herself to God, and resolved not to be uneasy the little time she had to live; for she firmly believed Beast would eat her up that night.

However, she thought she might as well walk about until then, and view this fine castle, which she could not help admiring; it was a delightful pleasant place, and she was extremely surprised at seeing a door, over which was written, "Beauty's Apartment." She opened it hastily, and was quite dazzled with the magnificence that reigned throughout; but what chiefly took up her attention, was a large library, a harpsichord, and several music books. "Well," said she to herself, "I see they will not let my time hang heavy upon my hands for want of amusement." Then she reflected, "Were I but to stay here a day, there would not have been all these preparations." This consideration inspired her with fresh courage; and opening the library she took a book, and read these words, in letters of gold:

Welcome Beauty, banish fear,
You are queen and mistress here.
Speak your wishes, speak your will,
Swift obedience meets them still.

"Alas," said she, with a sigh, "there is nothing I desire so much as to see my poor father, and know what he is doing." She had no sooner said this, when casting her eyes on a great looking glass, to her great amazement, she saw her own home, where her father arrived with a very dejected countenance. Her sisters went to meet him, and notwithstanding their endeavors to appear sorrowful, their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister, was visible in every feature. A moment after, everything disappeared, and Beauty's apprehensions at this proof of Beast's complaisance.

At noon she found dinner ready, and while at table, was entertained with an excellent concert of music, though without seeing anybody. But at night, as she was going to sit down to supper, she heard the noise Beast made, and could not help being sadly terrified. "Beauty," said the monster, "will you give me leave to see you sup?"

"That is as you please," answered Beauty trembling.

"No," replied the Beast, "you alone are mistress here; you need only bid me gone, if my presence is troublesome, and I will immediately withdraw. But, tell me, do not you think me very ugly?"

"That is true," said Beauty, "for I cannot tell a lie, but I believe you are very good natured."

"So I am," said the monster, "but then, besides my ugliness, I have no sense; I know very well, that I am a poor, silly, stupid creature."

"'Tis no sign of folly to think so," replied Beauty, "for never did fool know this, or had so humble a conceit of his own understanding."

"Eat then, Beauty," said the monster, "and endeavor to amuse yourself in your palace, for everything here is yours, and I should be very uneasy, if you were not happy."

"You are very obliging," answered Beauty, "I own I am pleased with your kindness, and when I consider that, your deformity scarce appears."

"Yes, yes," said the Beast, "my heart is good, but still I am a monster."

"Among mankind," says Beauty, "there are many that deserve that name more than you, and I prefer you, just as you are, to those, who, under a human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart."

"If I had sense enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you, but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."

Beauty ate a hearty supper, and had almost conquered her dread of the monster; but she had like to have fainted away, when he said to her, "Beauty, will you be my wife?"

She was some time before she dared answer, for she was afraid of making him angry, if she refused. At last, however, she said trembling, "no Beast." Immediately the poor monster went to sigh, and hissed so frightfully, that the whole palace echoed. But Beauty soon recovered her fright, for Beast having said, in a mournful voice, "then farewell, Beauty," left the room; and only turned back, now and then, to look at her as he went out.

When Beauty was alone, she felt a great deal of compassion for poor Beast. "Alas," said she, "'tis thousand pities, anything so good natured should be so ugly."

Beauty spent three months very contentedly in the palace. Every evening Beast paid her a visit, and talked to her, during supper, very rationally, with plain good common sense, but never with what the world calls wit; and Beauty daily discovered some valuable qualifications in the monster, and seeing him often had so accustomed her to his deformity, that, far from dreading the time of his visit, she would often look on her watch to see when it would be nine, for the Beast never missed coming at that hour.

There was but one thing that gave Beauty any concern, which was, that every night, before she went to bed, the monster always asked her, if she would be his wife. One day she said to him, "Beast, you make me very uneasy, I wish I could consent to marry you, but I am too sincere to make you believe that will ever happen; I shall always esteem you as a friend, endeavor to be satisfied with this."

"I must," said the Beast, "for, alas! I know too well my own misfortune, but then I love you with the tenderest affection. However, I ought to think myself happy, that you will stay here; promise me never to leave me."

Beauty blushed at these words; she had seen in her glass, that her father had pined himself sick for the loss of her, and she longed to see him again. "I could," answered she, "indeed, promise never to leave you entirely, but I have so great a desire to see my father, that I shall fret to death, if you refuse me that satisfaction."

"I had rather die myself," said the monster, "than give you the least uneasiness. I will send you to your father, you shall remain with him, and poor Beast will die with grief."

"No," said Beauty, weeping, "I love you too well to be the cause of your death. I give you my promise to return in a week. You have shown me that my sisters are married, and my brothers gone to the army; only let me stay a week with my father, as he is alone."

"You shall be there tomorrow morning," said the Beast, "but remember your promise. You need only lay your ring on a table before you go to bed, when you have a mind to come back. Farewell Beauty." Beast sighed, as usual, bidding her good night, and Beauty went to bed very sad at seeing him so afflicted.

When she waked the next morning, she found herself at her father's, and having rung a little bell, that was by her bedside, she saw the maid come, who, the moment she saw her, gave a loud shriek, at which the good man ran up stairs, and thought he should have died with joy to see his dear daughter again. He held her fast locked in his arms above a quarter of an hour.

As soon as the first transports were over, Beauty began to think of rising, and was afraid she had no clothes to put on; but the maid told her, that she had just found, in the next room, a large trunk full of gowns, covered with gold and diamonds.

Beauty thanked good Beast for his kind care, and taking one of the plainest of them, she intended to make a present of the others to her sisters. She scarce had said so when the trunk disappeared. Her father told her, that Beast insisted on her keeping them herself, and immediately both gowns and trunk came back again.

Beauty dressed herself, and in the meantime they sent to her sisters who hastened thither with their husbands. They were both of them very unhappy. The eldest had married a gentleman, extremely handsome indeed, but so fond of his own person, that he was full of nothing but his own dear self, and neglected his wife.

The second had married a man of wit, but he only made use of it to plague and torment everybody, and his wife most of all. Beauty's sisters sickened with envy, when they saw her dressed like a princess, and more beautiful than ever, nor could all her obliging affectionate behavior stifle their jealousy, which was ready to burst when she told them how happy she was.

They went down into the garden to vent it in tears; and said one to the other, in what way is this little creature better than us, that she should be so much happier? "Sister," said the oldest, "a thought just strikes my mind; let us endeavor to detain her above a week, and perhaps the silly monster will be so enraged at her for breaking her word, that he will devour her."

"Right, sister," answered the other, "therefore we must show her as much kindness as possible." After they had taken this resolution, they went up, and behaved so affectionately to their sister, that poor Beauty wept for joy. When the week was expired, they cried and tore their hair, and seemed so sorry to part with her, that she promised to stay a week longer.

In the meantime, Beauty could not help reflecting on herself, for the uneasiness she was likely to cause poor Beast, whom she sincerely loved, and really longed to see again. The tenth night she spent at her father's, she dreamed she was in the palace garden, and that she saw Beast extended on the grass plat, who seemed just expiring, and, in a dying voice, reproached her with her ingratitude.

Beauty started out of her sleep, and bursting into tears. "Am I not very wicked," said she, "to act so unkindly to Beast, that has studied so much, to please me in everything? Is it his fault if he is so ugly, and has so little sense? He is kind and good, and that is sufficient. Why did I refuse to marry him? I should be happier with the monster than my sisters are with their husbands; it is neither wit, nor a fine person, in a husband, that makes a woman happy, but virtue, sweetness of temper, and complaisance, and Beast has all these valuable qualifications. It is true, I do not feel the tenderness of affection for him, but I find I have the highest gratitude, esteem, and friendship; I will not make him miserable, were I to be so ungrateful I should never forgive myself." Beauty having said this, rose, put her ring on the table, and then laid down again; scarce was she in bed before she fell asleep, and when she waked the next morning, she was overjoyed to find herself in the Beast's palace.

She put on one of her richest suits to please him, and waited for evening with the utmost impatience, at last the wished-for hour came, the clock struck nine, yet no Beast appeared. Beauty then feared she had been the cause of his death; she ran crying and wringing her hands all about the palace, like one in despair; after having sought for him everywhere, she recollected her dream, and flew to the canal in the garden, where she dreamed she saw him.

There she found poor Beast stretched out, quite senseless, and, as she imagined, dead. She threw herself upon him without any dread, and finding his heart beat still, she fetched some water from the canal, and poured it on his head. Beast opened his eyes, and said to Beauty, "You forgot your promise, and I was so afflicted for having lost you, that I resolved to starve myself, but since I have the happiness of seeing you once more, I die satisfied."

"No, dear Beast," said Beauty, "you must not die. Live to be my husband; from this moment I give you my hand, and swear to be none but yours. Alas! I thought I had only a friendship for you, but the grief I now feel convinces me, that I cannot live without you." Beauty scarce had pronounced these words, when she saw the palace sparkle with light; and fireworks, instruments of music, everything seemed to give notice of some great event.

But nothing could fix her attention; she turned to her dear Beast, for whom she trembled with fear; but how great was her surprise! Beast was disappeared, and she saw, at her feet, one of the loveliest princes that eye ever beheld; who returned her thanks for having put an end to the charm, under which he had so long resembled a Beast. Though this prince was worthy of all her attention, she could not forbear asking where Beast was.

"You see him at your feet, said the prince. A wicked fairy had condemned me to remain under that shape until a beautiful virgin should consent to marry me. The fairy likewise enjoined me to conceal my understanding. There was only you in the world generous enough to be won by the goodness of my temper, and in offering you my crown I can't discharge the obligations I have to you."

Beauty, agreeably surprised, gave the charming prince her hand to rise; they went together into the castle, and Beauty was overjoyed to find, in the great hall, her father and his whole family, whom the beautiful lady, that appeared to her in her dream, had conveyed thither.

"Beauty," said this lady, "come and receive the reward of your judicious choice; you have preferred virtue before either wit or beauty, and deserve to find a person in whom all these qualifications are united. You are going to be a great queen. I hope the throne will not lessen your virtue, or make you forget yourself. As to you, ladies," said the fairy to Beauty's two sisters, "I know your hearts, and all the malice they contain. Become two statues, but, under this transformation, still retain your reason. You shall stand before your sister's palace gate, and be it your punishment to behold her happiness; and it will not be in your power to return to your former state, until you own your faults, but I am very much afraid that you will always remain statues. Pride, anger, gluttony, and idleness are sometimes conquered, but the conversion of a malicious and envious mind is a kind of miracle."

Immediately the fairy gave a stroke with her wand, and in a moment all that were in the hall were transported into the prince's dominions. His subjects received him with joy. He married Beauty, and lived with her many years, and their happiness -- as it was founded on virtue -- was complete.


-- THE END --
-- Writing by: Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont

Cinderella is a pretty girl. She's got blue eyes and blonde, curly hair. She's always happy. She likes singing and playing with her pet cat and the mice in the kitchen.

She lives in a big house with her two sisters. Her sisters are very ugly! They've got big noses and big, ugly feet!

They don't like Cinderella, and she has to do all the work in the house.

They throw their clothes on the floor.

'Pick up our clothes!' they say.

They shout at Cinderella.

'Clean the kitchen!'
'Wash the clothes!'
'Cook the dinner!'

One day Cinderella is in the kitchen. She's washing the plates. The sun is shining and Cinderella is happy. She's looking out of the window and singing with the birds. Blackie, her cat, is playing with his friends, the little mice. Goldie is Cinderella's goldfish. He's swimming in his bowl and listening to the birds singing.

'Cinderella! Cinderella!' say her sisters. 'Come here! Quickly!'

Cinderella runs upstairs into the living room.

'Here I am!' she says.

'Look at this. We've got an invitation from the king. An invitation to the ball at the Palace!'

'An invitation to the ball!' says Cinderella. 'That's wonderful.'

'Yes!' say the sisters. 'We can wear beautiful dresses and we can dance with Prince Charming!'

'Can I come to the ball?' says Cinderella.

'You?' say the sisters. 'Come to the ball? No. You can't come to the ball. You haven't got a dress!'

On the day of the ball Cinderella is very busy.

The ugly sisters want Cinderella to do everything.

'Cinderella! Come here and help me with my dress.'
'Cinderella! Come here and help me with my hair.'
'Cinderella! Go and find my blue shoes.'
'Cinderella! Go and find my yellow bag.'
'Cinderella! Where's my necklace?'
'Cinderella! Where's my ring?'
'Cinderella! Cinderella! Cinderella! Quickly, quickly, quickly...It's time to go!'

'Don't cry, Cinderella,' says Blackie.

'I want to go to the ball,' says Cinderella.

'You can go to the ball,' says a beautiful woman.

'Who are you?' says Cinderella.

'I'm your Fairy Godmother,' says the beautiful woman. 'Cinderella, go into the garden and find a nice, big pumpkin,' says the Fairy Godmother.

'Come here, Blackie. Let's put Goldie here on the floor... and... oh, yes! Six little white mice! Perfect!' says the Fairy Godmother.

The Fairy Godmother waves her magic wand and says 'ABRACADABRA!'

The pumpkin is now a beautiful coach.

Goldie is now a footman.

Blackie is now a coachman.

And the six white mice are now six beautiful white horses!

The Fairy Godmother waves her wand again. Cinderella's old grey dress is now a wonderful new dress, and on her feet there are pretty glass shoes.

'Now you can go to the ball, Cinderella,' says the Fairy Godmother. 'But, you must be home before midnight.'

At the palace there are a lot of people. They're in the ballroom, talking and laughing and dancing. Everyone is happy. The King and Queen are enjoying the ball.

'Who is that beautiful princess?' says one of the ugly sisters.

'I don't know,' says the other ugly sister. 'Look, Prince Charming is dancing with her!'

Prince Charming likes Cinderella, and they dance and dance and dance all evening.

Dong! Dong! Cinderella looks at the clock. It's midnight!

'I must go!' she says.

Cinderella runs out of the ballroom and down the steps. Prince Charming runs out of the ballroom.

'Don't go!' he says. 'Please, come here!'

But Cinderella isn't there. It's midnight, and she's running home.

'What's this?' says Prince Charming.

He looks on the steps and sees Cinderella's glass shoe.

'I can go to every house in the town,' he says. 'I can ask every girl in the town to put on this shoe. I can find the beautiful princess!'

'Prince Charming is here! Prince Charming is here!' say the ugly sisters.

'Go away. Go into the kitchen, Cinderella. The glass shoe isn't yours. You can't see Prince Charming. Quickly, quickly, quickly! Go! Go! Go!'

The ugly sisters put on the glass shoe. They have very big, ugly feet! And the shoe is very small... Cinderella opens the door. 'Can I put on the shoe?' she says.

'GO AWAY!' say the ugly sisters.

'No, wait!' says Prince Charming. 'Come here and put on the shoe.'

Cinderella puts on the shoe.

'The shoe is yours!' says Prince Charming. 'You are the beautiful princess!'

'I'm not a princess. I'm Cinderella,' she says. 'But the shoe is mine'.

Prince Charming and Cinderella have a beautiful wedding in the garden at the Palace.

All the people from the town come to the wedding. It's a beautiful sunny day, and Prince Charming and Cinderella are very happy.

'Can we be friends now?' says Cinderella to her ugly sisters. 'You are a good, kind girl, Cinderella,' they say. 'We want to be your friends.'

'Good!' says Cinderella.

And they all live happily ever after!



-- THE END --
-- Writing by: Ruth Hobart

The people from a small town in France are outside the King's summer castle. The King goes out onto the balcony.

'We are very happy to tell you that we have a baby daughter. Her name is Aurora. Everyone is invited to a party, here at the castle, tomorrow,' he says.

The King goes back into the castle. The Queen is singing to the baby.

'The party tomorrow is going to be wonderful,' says the King. 'All the people from the town are coming and, of course, we must invite the Flower Fairies.'

Everyone in the castle is very busy. The cooks are cooking delicious roast meats with vegetables and they are making delicious cakes, too. The cleaners are sweeping and dusting. The Queen's friends are picking flowers in the garden and putting flowers in all the rooms.

'Mmm...! The food smells delicious,' says the King 'And the castle is very pretty with all these flowers.' Little Princess Aurora is sleeping happily. She doesn't know there is going to be a party tomorrow. The next day the sun shines and all the men, women and children from the town come to the party. The children like the new baby and want to pick her up.

'You can pick her up later, when she wakes up,' says the Queen.

'Yes,' says the King. 'Come and sit down now. The food is ready and we're all hungry!'

'Look! Look! Over there by the trees,' says a little boy.

Everyone turns and looks at the trees.

'Oh!' says a little girl. 'Are they...?'

'Yes, they are,' says the Queen.

'They're the Flower Fairies!'

'Hello,' say the Flower Fairies. 'We've got some very special presents for Princess Aurora.'

'She's going to be beautiful,' says Fairy Daisy.

'She's going to be happy,' says Fairy Iris.

'She's going to be healthy,' says Fairy Sunflower.

'And...,' says Fairy Poppy...

'STOP!' says another Fairy.

'Who's this?' asks the Queen.

'It's Fairy Weed,' say the Flower Fairies. 'She's a bad Fairy! She must leave the party!'

'No, I'm not going to leave!' says Fairy Weed. 'I've got a present for Princess Aurora too! When she's sixteen she's going to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die!'

'Wait! I've got to give Princess Aurora my present now,' says Fairy Poppy. 'I can't change Fairy Weed's present - Princess Aurora is going to prick her finger on a spinning wheel when she's sixteen. But she isn't going to die! She's going to sleep for a hundred years!'

'She isn't going to prick her finger on a spinning wheel, or sleep for a hundred years,' says the King. 'We must destroy all the spinning wheels in the town! Tomorrow, everyone must take their spinning wheels to the town square. We're going to destroy them all!'

The next day everyone takes their spinning wheels to the town square. There are big spinning wheels and small spinning wheels, new spinning wheels and old spinning wheels, new spinning wheels and old spinning wheels, and the King's men destroy them all.

'Thank you, everyone,' says the King. 'Thank you for your spinning wheels. I'm very sorry that you can't make your clothes now. But I want to help you. I'm going to pay the people in Paris to make your clothes for you.'

'Hurray for the King,' shout the people of the town.

'Hurray for our good kind King!'

Princess Aurora grows into a beautiful young woman. On her sixteenth birthday everyone in the castle is preparing for her birthday party. 'Come on, Molly,' she says to her dog. 'Let's go to the old tower. The door is always locked but today everyone's busy. Perhaps it's open.'

The door isn't locked! Princess Aurora and Molly go up the stairs. In a room at the top there's an old lady and a spinning wheel.

'What's that?' asks Princess Aurora.

'It's a spinning wheel,' says the old lady. 'You can touch it if you want.'

Princess Aurora touches the spinning wheel and pricks her finger!

The Flower Fairies fly into the tower.

'Oh no! We're too late!' says Fairy Daisy, 'She's asleep!'

'She can't sleep alone for a hundred years,' says Fairy Sunflower.

'No,' says Fairy Iris. 'Everyone in the castle must sleep for a hundred years.'

Molly falls asleep near the bed. The King and Queen fall asleep on their thrones. The Queen's friends fall asleep picking flowers. The cleaners fall asleep sweeping and dusting. The cook falls asleep making a cake. The birds fall asleep in the trees. The cat falls asleep chasing a mouse. The castle is silent - everyone is asleep.

Everyone sleeps for a hundred years.

One day a Prince from Spain comes to the town. The people tell him about the sleeping Princess.

''I'm going to castle. I want to see the sleeping Princess,'' he says to his friends.

There are big trees around the castle and beautiful flowers are growing over the trees and the castle walls. The Prince goes to the old tower. He sees the sleeping. Princess. He kisses her hand and she wakes up!

'You're the Prince of my dreams!' she says.

'And you, Sleeping Beauty, are the Princess of my dreams,' he says.

Everyone in the castle wakes up! The Queen's friends start picking the flowers again, the cook starts making the cake, the birds start singing, the cat starts chasing the mouse and the Flower Fairies fly into the castle.

'Prince Carlos of Spain is here!' they say.

Princess Aurora takes Prince Carlos to the King and Queen.

'Mummy and Daddy,' says Princess Aurora, 'this is Prince Carlos. He's going to stay and come to my birthday party.'

'That's wonderful!' says the Queen.

'Yes,' says the King. 'We're happy that you're here. And thank you very much for waking us up!'



-- THE END --
-- Writing by: Charles Perrault