Beauty and the Beast [A modern day tale]

Once 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, every body 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 handsome, 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 upon parties of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, etc. and laughed at their youngest sister, because she spent the greatest part of her time in reading good books.

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 most 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 in this they were mistaken, for their lovers slighted and forsook them in their poverty.

As they were not beloved on account of their pride, every body said, "they do not deserve to be pitied, we are 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 disposition."

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, (she said 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 breakfast 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 situation."

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

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"Bella, come and eat or your going to be late." A Man called.

"Yes father be right there." Bella said closing her new book and heading down stairs.

As she walked into the dinning room There sat her two brothers Ben and Bert. Bert was the oldest in the family and Ben was number four.

As she sat down her two sister walked in. Betty and Babs. Betty was the second child and Babs was the third.

Last in the family was Bella.

"Eat everyone or you'll be late." Her father yelled.

He tired his hardest to make life easier for his family. They were once well off but when their mother got sick they lost it all to pay the medical bills.

Ben worked as an accountant in a small but busy firm. He was tall at 5 foot 9 inch. He had many admires because of his handsomeness. "Thanks dad, I'll see you tonight."

Betty was pretty and loved to party. Her father thought she was still in school so scrimp and saved money to help her. "Dad I need a hundred dollars for a text book."

Babs was pretty too but was popular. She spent her days lounging around her friends home. "Dad see you later."

Bert was handsome and at 6 foot two was the tallest in the family and he worked as a personal assistant in a small time fashion magazine. He was kind and looked out for his little sister. "Bella do you need a ride to your new job?"

Bella was a beautiful young woman. Everyone always fell in love with her. When she was not working she was volunteering at different places. She just got a job working at a deep cleaning service. She loved to keep busy but in her down time she also loved to read. "Yah, can you drop me off at the office."

After they all left their father cleared the dishes and left for work at Heart Industries as their mailman. It was an easy job and it paid well.

He arrived at the office and collected the bags of mail. One bag was enter office mail as the other was out going mail.

Once he went through the bags he took the outgoing to the post office and picked up the mail for the day.

After that he would sort the enter office and the new outside mail and make his rounds throughout the company.

As he rounded a corner he did not see that at the same time Zane Heart was there and he ran right into him and fell down.

"Sorry sir I didn't mean it."

"Be more careful next time." Zane said helping the man up.

Zane was tall over six feet with wide broad shoulder. He was every woman dream and every womans nightmare.

Everyone tried to get him to notice them but he never does. Rumors were going around saying he preferred men over woman but then again not many men ever got close to him.