Once upon a time in a faraway land, a young actor lived in a hilltop mansion. And although he had everything his heart desired, the actor was spoiled, selfish, and unkind.
But then one winter's night, an old woman came to the mansion, offering a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the actor sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to 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 actor tried to apologize, but it was too late.
For she had seen that there was no love in his heart.
And as punishment, she placed a curse on the mansion and all who lived there.
Ashamed of what he had done, the actor concealed himself inside his mansion, a mirror his only window to the outside world.
The Rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his twenty-eighth year.
If he could learn to love another and earn their love in return by the time the last petal fell then the curse would be broken.
If not, he would be doomed to remain in solitude for all time.
As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope.
For who could ever learn to love a beast?