NARRATOR 1

Once Upon a Time in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle.

NARRATOR 2

Although he had everything his heart desired, the Prince was spoiled, selfish and unkind.

NARRATOR 3

But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold.

NARRATOR 4

Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the Prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away.

NARRATOR 1

But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances for beauty is found within.

NARRATOR 3

And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful Enchantress.

NARRATOR 4

The Prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart.

NARRATOR 2

As punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived there.

NARRATOR 3

Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world.

NARRATOR 1

The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom for many years.

NARRATOR 4

If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken.

NARRATOR 2

If not... he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.

NARRATOR 1

As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope.

NARRATORS

For who could ever learn to love a Beast?