This is Drift Off, the sleep podcast that helps busy minds around the globe become

calm at bedtime or anytime you want to relax. I'm your host Joanne, the voice that

will guide you towards restful sleep. I hope that by listening to my stories on

a regular basis your brain will begin to associate my voice with safety and

relaxation, helping you drift off each and every night with comfort and ease.

Tonight's bedtime story is called Beauty and the Beast, collected by Andrew Lange in his

Blue Fairy Buck. This tale is about a young maiden named Beauty who comes to value

the kindness and inward qualities of Beast and falls in love with him despite

his outward appearances. And so my friend, settling comfortably and snuggle

up tight, let's get sleepy together. Sweet dreams and good night.

Once upon a time in a very far off country believed a merchant who had been so

fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously rich. As he had, however,

six sons and six daughters, he found it was not too much to let them all have

everything they fancied as they were accustomed to do. But one day a most

unexpected misfortune befell them. Their house caught fire and was speedily burnt

to the ground with all the splendid furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver,

and precious goods it contained. And this was only the beginning of their

troubles. Their father, who had until this moment prospered in all ways,

suddenly lost every ship he had upon the sea, either by dint of pirates, shipwreck

or fire. Then he heard that his clerks in distant countries, whom he trusted

entirely, had proved unfaithful. And at last, from great wealth, he fell into the

direst poverty. All that he had left was a little house in a desolate place,

...