Ashley

The sunlight shone through the trees onto top of a small waterfall, making it sparkle. Petals on roses and orchids shined beautifully with the morning dew still on them. Birds sang, and flew all around the forest. And just beyond it was a castle with statues of angels on the roofs. The entire castle had white brick walls and red tiling on the roofs. And a beautiful garden surrounded the castle with flowers of every kind. Once upon a time, a young prince lived in a shining castle. And he had everything his to heart's desire. But the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind. But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him to not be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within. And when he dismissed her again...the old woman's ugliness melted away, to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late for him has seen that it was no love in his heart. For his punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast and placed a powerful lasting curse on the castle and all who lived there. Ashamed of his monstrous appearance, the prince sheltered himself in the castle from everything in the outside world. The rose, she had offered, remained by his side for it will bloom on his twenty-first year. If he could love another, and earn their love in return before the last petal fell, then... the spell will be broken. If not, he will be doomed to remain a beast, forever. As the years passed, the prince fell into despair and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast.