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Tonight, we'll be reading the classic tale, Beauty and the Beast,

taken from the Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, published in 1889. The original story of Beauty and the Beast was

written by Gabrielle-Sousanne de Ville Nove within the culture of the aristocratic salons of the 1700s.

It is thought that it has roots even longer ago in the tale of Cupid and Psyche, the ancient chronicle from the Latin novel

Metamorphosis. Let's get cozy.

Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. Breathe and the Beast.

Once upon a time in a very far off country, there lived 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 that his

money 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

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