The Scarlet Flower
Once upon a time in a far away land
a merchant was preparing to set out on a long journey. This merchant had three
daughters, and he asked all of them what they would like as gifts for
themselves when he returned from his voyage. The first daughter requested a
golden crown, and the second one wanted a crystal mirror. The third daughter
asked only for “the little scarlet flower.”
The merchant set out on his journey.
It did not take him very long to find a beautiful golden crown and a fine
crystal mirror. He had difficulty however, finding the third gift, the scarlet
flower. He searched everywhere, and eventually his search led him into a
magical forest. Deep within these woods there was situated a palace, in whose
courtyard grew a beautiful flower. As the merchant drew closer to the flower he
realized what it was, the scarlet flower. Cautiously, the merchant picked the
flower that his youngest daughter wanted so badly. Upon picking the scarlet
flower he was confronted by a hideous beast, who demanded that in return for
picking the flower the merchant must send one of his daughters deep into the
enchanted forest, to live with the beast forever.
Upon recieving the scarlet flower,
the merchant’s youngest daughter agreed to go to the beast. She journeyed alone
into the forest and found the castle where she would dwell forever. For a time,
she lived there very happily. The beast had not revealed himself to her, and
showered her daily with kindness and gifts. She started to grow quite fond of
her invisible keeper, and one day asked that he show himself. The beast
reluctantly gave into her plea, and just as he had feared, she recoiled in
terror at the site of him.
That night the girl had a haughnting
dream about her father falling deathly ill. She begged the beast to release
her, so that she could find her dying father. Touched by her concern, the beast
released her on one condition – that she return to him in three days time. The
girl found her father, and prepared to return to the beast in the alloted time.
However, her sisters altered the time on the clocks, making her arrive late.
There upon her arrival the girl was horrified at what she encountered. The
beast was dead, lying there clutching her scarlet flower. Heartbroken, the girl
embraced the dead beast, and declared her love for him. Having done this, she
unknowingly broke the evil spell, and her beloved beast awoke, turning into a
handsome prince.
They lived happily ever after.
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