Volume 1 - Chapter 2a: The Fairy Tale as Told (Part 1)

"Once upon a time, there was a wealthy merchant who was not only blessed with riches and fortune but also with twelve children."

Miss Yumi flipped to the beginning of the storybook showing six dashing men with muscly, chiseled features that reminded Cathedra of the ancient sculptures of Greek gods she often sees in books. Beside them were five beautiful ladies, clad in gorgeous dresses and excessive jewelry. In contrast to the five extravagant women in the picture, there was one beside them who was dressed in a plain and simple dressed, standing meekly beside her sisters. However, compared to the other five, with their flashy, attention-grabbing garments, sparkling jewelry, and make-up caked faces, the sixth girl was by far, in Cathedra's opinion, the most beautiful of them all.

"But one day, their house broke into a fire. Everything they owned—their money, gold and silver, and everything inside the house—burned to ashes."

The children gasped at the eerily realistic portrait of the merchant's mansion tormented by the unforgiving, deadly flames. The merchant's six sons crowded over their five crying sisters who were overtaken with grief at the loss of their riches.

"Not only did they lose everything they posses in fire, but the merchant's ships were also lost at sea. The family became very poor and was forced to live in a dingy, run-down cottage in the middle of the forest. The children's suitors and friends, whom they believed would help them out in their plight, vanished along with their irrecoverable wealth."

The next page revealed the fallen family's discomfort inside their rickety-looking, tiny house. Gone were their days of splendor and so, the storybook showed the miserable faces of the once-wealthy family, struggling and working to make ends meet. 

"Despite their misfortunes, their youngest sister's heart was strong. She tried to cheer up her father and her siblings, and did all the best she can to be lighthearted despite their dreary situation. Her sisters berated her for being merry amidst their terrible circumstance and became even more jealous when she was well-known and well-favored among the townsfolk. The villagers called her 'Beauty' as she was not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside as well."

Upon revealing the next page, Cathedra marveled at how the forlorn, grief-stricken family regained their enthusiasm. The girls were pressing excitedly against their father which reminded Cathedra of the orphanage dog yipping joyfully against her feet every time she comes home.

Modulating her voice, Miss Yumi kept the suspense with her narration. "A wonderful news greeted the poor family. The merchant's lost ships were said to be found in the harbor, safe and laden with their precious cargo. If they can recover it in time, the merchant will be rich again and they will have a way out of their barren lifestyle. Beauty's sisters excitedly named their requests for new clothes, new jewelry—everything they can name to satiate their vanity—that even if their father could recover everything inside the ship, it would not be sufficient to comply with their demands."

Cathedra's classmates giggled and the whispers spread like wildfire. "If I was one of the children, I'd ask for a new toy!"

One of the boys shouted, "I'd ask for a game console!"

The girls scolded the boys and attempted to out vie one another, saying how pretty clothes, cute dolls, or shiny shoes are better than stupid games. Cathedra laughed quietly at the thought of how her classmates probably sounded similar to Beauty's siblings.

Miss Yumi encouraged the children to settle down or else she wouldn't be able to continue the story. This snapped the girls into attention and the boys followed suit and behaved. Once the children listening again, Miss Yumi continued.

"The merchant, after hearing his children pile off one demand after another, remarked how Beauty didn't even utter a single request."

Miss Yumi changed her voice, lowering it into a gruff, manly tone and earning quite a few snickers from her students. "What about you, Beauty, do you have anything you would like to request?"

Back to her narrator character, Miss Yumi's voice became normal again. "Beauty said she didn't want to ask for anything other than for her father to return in good health. Her sisters, slapped to reality by how superficial and vain they were, whispered among themselves about how self-righteous Beauty was. The merchant, deeply touched by his daughter's sentiments, urged her to make a request out of his love for his filial, thoughtful daughter."

Miss Yumi changed her voice once again, this time, into a kind and dainty feminine voice. "Alright father, since I do not wish to disobey, I'll name my wish. It would be good if I could see a rose once again, because it's been a long time since I've seen one and you know how much I love roses."

"Armed with his children's requests and a hopeful heart, the merchant set off for the harbor in hopes of bringing their old life back. But when he got to the port, he realized that everything he owned inside the ship was stolen and sold off by his partners, who thought he was dead. For six months, the poor merchant chased after them in hopes of recovering what was stolen, but alas, his partners were unable to pay off what they stole and finally decided his efforts were in vain."

Mournful sounds of "awww" echoed throughout the classroom. Even Cathedra felt bad for the poor merchant and how his hopes and dreams were crushed.

The next picture made the hairs stand up at the back of Cathedra's head. There was darkness everywhere, with the poor merchant clutching his arms firmly, in desperate hopes to relieve himself from the cold. Eerie yellow eyes narrowed into slits that reminded Cathedra of wolves and vicious beasts were painted in the darkness. Cathedra imagined being in the merchant's place and made a mental note to steer clear of dark forests, especially before nightfall.

"The merchant decided to go home but was caught up in a terrible snowstorm. He tried to seek shelter against the largest tree he can find and try to fall asleep but with the howls of wild animals plus the deadly cold, the poor man couldn't bear to fall asleep."

Cathedra realized she had been holding in her breath by the time Miss Yumi flipped to the next page. It was morning now, but still the grounds were covered in snow that it was hard to tell the path to home. "By the help of the sunlight, the merchant noticed an enormous castle within walking distance. Deciding to take his chances, he set off for the heavy metal gates surrounding the castle and went in."

On and on the story went. Miss Yumi explained how the merchant entered the castle but couldn't find anyone inside. How he found solace inside the castle's warmth and protection and finally fell asleep. Strangely enough, when he woke up, there was already a feast prepared for him which he couldn't help but devour due to his hunger.

"After taking advantage of the castle's hospitality, the merchant decided to set off for home. On the way to the heavy metal gates, he noticed a bed of the most beautiful red roses he has ever seen. Remembering his unkept promises to his children and Beauty's simple request, he decided to pick off the roses and make a small bouquet so that he won't go back empty handed."

Once Miss Yumi flipped the page, the entire class gave a loud scream. A creature appeared out of nowhere behind the merchant, its entire face and body covered with thick, unkempt fur. Its long, sharp fangs and hideous claws terrified everyone out of their wits. Cathedra imagined that if she ever saw this Beast in real life, she would instantly faint from horror.

Miss Yumi made her voice even gruffer than before. "YOU! How dare you pick off my most prized possessions! I welcomed you into my home, let you sleep, fed you! But, this is how you repay me? By stealing my roses? You ungrateful swine!"

"The merchant begged for forgiveness and groveled at the Beast's feet. He rambled on about his misfortunes, and how he picked up the rose in hopes of bringing them back to his daughter."

Miss Yumi continued narrating about how the Beast pardoned the merchant in exchange for one thing: to bring back on of his children and stay inside the castle in their father's stead. "The Beast made the merchant promise to never withhold anything from his children regarding the Beast's appearance. The child must go willingly, knowing what that she has to live inside a castle in the presence of a hideous, ugly creature. If no one would volunteer, or if the merchant couldn't bear to give up his children, he must return to the castle and be his prisoner forever.

"The merchant went home with a heavy heart, bringing precious jewelry and clothes—all the things his daughters asked for—along with Beauty's rose. The merchant swore in his heart that he would not tell his children what happened and in one month's time, as he promised the Beast, he would be his prisoner."

To the children's dismay, Miss Yumi closed the book. "Alright everyone, that's enough for today. Class is dismissed."

Groans of complaints echoed throughout the class.

"We were just getting to the best part!"

"But what's going to happen, I want to know!"

One by one, Cathedra's classmates echoed their complaints. Cathedra wouldn't deny it, she was also disappointed that Miss Yumi cut the story short.

"Don't worry class, we'll continue this tomorrow. I promise." She smiled sweetly at the children.

And with that, everyone reluctantly agreed and went home.