Beauty and the Beast for Classics Contest

N

narnian reader

New member
I wasn't sure where to put the classics contest stories so I decided to do both and hope it works out. my sotry is the retelling of beauty and the beast. Enjoy.
The Greatest Gift
A Fairy Tale
Once upon a time in a world not our own lived a girl. She was the youngest daughter in the family. Her mother who had passed away after her birth had prophesied that this youngest daughter would have the greatest gift of all. For in that world everyone had a gift or special ability that set them apart from all others. Some gifts were extraordinary such as healing or speaking with animals or like the girl’s mother the gift of prophecy. Other people had more common talents such as exceptional talent in cooking, dancing and even singing.
The eldest girl in the family was named Sapphire for her deep midnight blue eyes she bore. Sapphire was the perfect image of her mother even sharing the same gift of prophecy. The second daughter was named Ruby for her fiery red hair she possessed even at birth. She was exactly like her father including his gift of healing. The youngest however was like no one anyone had ever seen before. She was white skin and hair in fact the only thing that was not white was her eyes. Her eyes were the darkest anyone had ever seen and seemed to penetrate your soul. Her parents named her Pearl and everyone eagerly waited the day that her gift would show itself.
 
we can post our stories out side the contest thread?:confused:
ok well ...ha I guess that does make sense...if you want commentary...lol
 
OK, so is your story continued inside the contest thread? I will go looking there. I liked it so far. I hope there is more in the other thread ...
 
Time passed. Pearl’s first birthday came with no signs. Then the tenth and still there was nothing. As her sixteenth birthday passed everyone gave up hope of Pearl ever possessing a gift. They began to say that she was a weird one. Since her appearance was so strange it seemed fitting she would be the first without a gift. Gossip swirled around Pearl whenever she went out into public until she felt suffocated and declined all invitations. The people were extremely grateful to be refused for her eyes always sent chills up their spines and they always left her alone but were obligated to invite her if they desired the society of Pearl’s sisters and so she was always invited. Pearl began to devote herself to studying and the improvement of her mind by reading. Books became her best friend.
Shortly after her sixteenth birthday the tragedy happened. Her father had opened a shop where he would heal people with his gift. His daughter Ruby was his assistant and apprentice. They were healing the king’s youngest son who had been in a hunting accident. When Pearl’s father realized that he couldn’t feel his gift and felt weak with no energy. He called Ruby over to continue but Ruby was not strong enough to heal the prince. So the poor prince died before another healer could be found to help him. The king was furious and banished the whole family from the kingdom. So the family packed all they could carry and left the city at once to start a new life.
 
The days following the exile of Pearl’s family several people noticed the fading and gradual disappearance of their gifts. The most powerful felt the effects first but it trickled down even to those who had the weakest powers until all people were left to survive without their gift. Soon panic ensued and the people were terrified demanding answers and their gifts returned.
Even so Pearl’s family heard none of this as they had headed into the wilderness and avoided all civilization. They wondered many miles through mountains and valleys, deserts and forests looking for a place to call home. Finally they found a deserted little cottage and decided to rest. Pearl’s father did some scouting and found a castle nearby. He was very weary and needed a place to rest the night. Not only that but he wished to ask permission to take up a permanent living in the cottage. So he entered.
One day while her father was away Pearl went on a scouting mission of her own to see the surrounding areas. She was in the forest when she felt a presence. She turned around and saw a lion. She was so overwhelmed by the majesty and splendor of the creature it did not even occur to her to run. Finally she managed to speak. “Who are you?” she squeaked out.
The lion looked at her and spoke “I am Aslan.”
Pearl was astonished. Many a legend and tale had mentioned the powerful Aslan but none had said he was a lion. She did remember that Aslan had great power and knowledge. So she forced herself to ask “Why am I ungifted and did it cause my family to become powerless as well?”
“What happened is not your fault, dear one. Your whole world is suffering as a result of one man’s disobedience. However it is in you power to undo the magic and return peace and joy to the world if you so wish to take up the task.”
“Aslan, how can I even do such a thing I have no gift to accomplish anything much less break a spell of magic.”
“Your mother’s prophecy was correct. Within you lies the greatest gift of all which you must discover for yourself on your journey. Now do you accept this task?”
“I do and will try my best” said Pearl then Aslan breathed on her and was gone. Pearl returned home in deep thought.
 
inkspot said:
Hey, cool, it became a fan fic!
Click to expand...

Yes but only Aslan appears in this story here is the next part.
The next day Pearl’s father returned. He seemed to be younger but older with an unbearable burden of terrible sadness. He shared with them what had happened on his journey. He had arrived to the castle safely but had seen no signs of life, not even birds in the trees made an appearance. He had wandered around the castle looking for someone. His first night he had found a stocked kitchen with plenty of food and had not gone hungry. On the third day he found an immense library with thousands of books. He had immediately thought of Pearl who had been unable to bring any of her books on their journey. He resolved to borrow a book he would return it of course once the book had been read. He chose a book of poetry since it was Pearl’s favorite and turned to go. Just then a shape approached he seemed to be a beast but also like a man. The beast was a fearful sight to behold. He was covered with fur except where he bore war marks on his face and he was enraged. “How dare you take my book, the one source of my entertainment in this dreary existence” he roared.
The father groveled before the beast, “ I apologize with great sincerity from the depths of my heart. I had come to request permission to live on your lands and when I saw the books I wanted to take one to my daughters who have been deprived of any sort of entertainment these many months.”
The beast stared hard at the man before him, “Fine I will spare you and give you your request on one condition. Your youngest daughter must come to stay with me willingly. If not you must come alone and pay for your thievery. If no one comes at the end of the month you shall all perish.”
The beast stalked off as the father replied, “I will return at the end of the month.” His heart was heavy as he left the magnificent castle. He quickly arrived home where he shared his story. Planning to prepare his family for his departure in a month’s time.
 
However Pearl had different plans. She had been thinking about what the lion had told her. In her heart she felt this was the first step she must take to fulfill her destiny. “You shall not return alone father for I will go with you.”
Everyone was startled. “No” they said at once with a seeming finality.
Pearl did not step down but was adamant. “ I will go. I have never fit in with the world. The Beast and I will live together as misfits isolated from the world. It will suit my temperament well especially if the library is as huge as you say father. You will not change my mind.”
Her father helplessly shrugged his shoulders too drained to fight her. “You were always to stubborn for your own good but I will allow you to go.”
As there was very little to do and Pearl wanted to get it done before she changed her mind that set out at the end of the week. Pearl’s father escorted her to castle. The journey was too fast yet too slow as Pearl struggled with the dread of what lay ahead while not turning around and running to the safety of her home. Finally they arrived.
Pearl was astounded at the grandness and magnificence of the castle. No words could accurately describe what she felt when she first laid eyes on the place that would now be her home. She also had a sense of something being not right. Her father left that evening not able to stand and watch what would happen to his daughter as he feared the worst. Pearl ate a quick and simple dinner and set out to explore the castle. Mainly to see if this library was a big as her father had described it to be. When she found it she was left speechless and she saw her father had spoken true. Within minutes she had found a favorite book and was reading it intensely. She was so absorbed that she failed to notice the dark shape come in a study her from afar.
 
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