Once upon a time, a rich and prosperous merchant, whose wife died, lived taking care of his three daughters. He loved his daughters so much that nothing in the world would stop him from getting for them whatever they wished to have. One day the merchant was going on a long journey and asked his daughters what gifts they wanted to get upon his return home. His oldest daughter wanted to get a golden crown that would shine as a sun on her head and turn even darkest nights into bright days. His second daughter wanted to get a magical mirror that would reflect her beauty and make her looking even more beautiful. Then the merchant asked his youngest daughter what she would like him to bring her. She answered that she wished to have the Red Flower, because this flower was known to be more beautiful than any other flower in the world.

In his distant, dangerous travel the merchant was looking everywhere to find the gifts he promised to bring his daughters. In a cavern protected by seven dragons, deep under the ground he found the precious golden crown for his oldest daughter. In the high tower, located in inaccessible mountains, behind seven doors guarded by fearless warriors he found the magical mirror for his second daughter. However, the Red Flower was never found, although he visited the most beautiful royal gardens of the world.

Saddened, the merchant turned home, but on his way he got lost in deep wilderness. He and his servants were trying to find the road until the darkness when they saw a majestic palace surrounded by a beautiful garden with nobody seen around. The merchant was so tired that he and his escort entered the palace and found plenty of food on tables there. They rested on luxurious beds until morning.

Next day, walking in the garden, he saw a red flower. The merchant was enchanted by its amazing, unsurpassed beauty. He knew that was the Red Flower his daughter wished to have. Moved by desperate desire to fulfill his daughter’s dream he plucked the flower. Suddenly, a monstrous Beast appeared before him and roared, “You dared to steal my Red Flower, the only joy of my life! Thief! your life is in great danger!” The merchant was trembling, begging for forgiveness. He mumbled that he just wanted to get this flower as a gift for his youngest daughter. With growl, the Beast said that he would let the merchant go unharmed if the merchant could promise to send his daughter to live here, in the Beast’s palace. The merchant was terrified but, seeing no other way to escape, promised while thinking that something would help him to save his daughter from the Beast.

The Beast gave him a golden ring and told him that at the end of the next three days his youngest daughter had to put this ring on her finger and get to this place. Instantly, the merchant with all his goods was brought home where his three daughters greeted him with great joy. He presented the golden crown to his oldest daughter, the magical mirror to his second daughter, and the Red Flower to his youngest daughter. They were so happy! But soon the youngest girl noticed how sad her father was, and she asked him to tell her what happened. The merchant told her about the Beast in the wilderness and about the promise he gave him, but, he exclaimed, nothing would make her go to the Beast’s palace, and he would rather die than allow her to go there. The maiden did not want her father to suffer because, trying to bring her the Red Flower, he only wanted to satisfy her dream. At the end of the third day, she silently placed the Beast’s golden ring on her finger and was transferred to the palace. At the same time, the Red Flower in its amazing beauty returned to the place where it was growing before.

Merchant’s daughter was surprised when she saw her new home as a very pleasant place. Sweet sounds of music and exquisite aroma of the flowers filled the air in the palace. Delectable food and exotic fruits were ready for her. Surrounded by elegant luxury, she was overfilled with gratitude to the host of this grand palace, but he was nowhere to be found. As days passed, the maiden found her every wish miraculously fulfilled. She was very happy living in the palace. Although not seeing anybody, she was able to talk to the Beast. His voice was harsh but he talked to her kindly, and always a great wisdom was expressed in his polite speech.

Such delicate behavior puzzled the merchant’s daughter, and soon she was longing to see the Beast. He warned her that his look was so terrible it would make her scream in horror. The maiden, however, insisted, and the Beast agreed.

First time he showed himself to her when she walked in the garden. His appearance was even more terrifying than the girl could imagine. His look was so hideous that the girl almost fainted. Several moments later she apologized to him for being fearful. They started talking to each other, although from some distance in the beginning.

They both enjoyed these uneventful days filled with sweet talk and tender care of each other until the day when the maiden told the Beast that she saw her father in her dreams. He was worrying about her. He did not know what happened to her since the day she left his house. She wanted to see her father, and she asked the Beast to let her visit her family. The Beast agreed, for the reason, that he could not refuse her anything she wanted, but under one condition. He gave her a golden ring and asked her to put it on her finger at the end of the third day of her visit, so that she could return to the Beast’s palace. Without this, he warned, his life would end, because his love for her was so great that he would not survive being away from her.

Instantly, the merchant’s daughter was transferred home. Her father and sisters rushed to embrace her. They were pleased to see her happy. They marvelled at her beautiful clothes and splendid jewelry. They were surprised to find out about her life in the Beast’s palace and his tender love and kindness to her. She told them that she came home for three days only, and that she needed to go back at the proper time, or the Beast will die.

The father was very happy for her daughter. Her sisters, however, were convinced that she should not return to the enchanted palace. They decided to set all clocks in the house several hours back and close shutters on all windows so that the youngest sister would not see the sunset and thus miss the appointed hour. At the same time, sisters were telling her their stories trying to take her attention away. All of a sudden, the maiden was disturbed by a feeling that something awfully wrong was happening. Quickly, she put the magical golden ring on her finger. A moment later, she was back to the palace.

Only a deadly silence met her as she ran through the rooms calling the Beast. She found the Beast in the garden. He was lying on the green hill, clasping his favorite Red Flower in his claws, with no signs of life in his motionless body. The girl knelt beside him, her tears flowing from her eyes. She cried, “Awaken, my dear friend! I love you more than anything in the world. You are my true beloved”… Suddenly, a lightning flushed in the air, and then everything disappeared in the impenetrable darkness.

A second later the maiden saw herself in the palace. A handsome prince stood by her side. The prince explained that an evil witch cursed him into a hideous monster. The curse could only be broken by a maiden who would not be scared by his repulsive appearance and who would fall in love with him for his beautiful soul.

The multiple numbers of noble courtiers appeared in the room, announcing them as a groom and a bride, the king and the queen of the mighty and glorious kingdom. They lived happily ever after until the end of their days.