Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young Prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the Prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind.
But then, one winter's night, an disformed old beggar came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold.
Repulsed by his sickly appearance, the Prince sneered at the gift, and turned the old leper away. But he warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for power is found within. And when he dismissed again, the old man's fragility melted away.
The Prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for he had seen that there was corruption in his heart. And as punishment, he cursed him to a hideous Beast, and placed a powerful spell on the castle, and all who lived there.
Ashamed of his monstrous form, the Beast concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic mirror as his only window to the outside world.
The Rose he had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom for many years.
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. If not, he would be doomed to remain a beast for all time.
As the years passed, he fell into despair, and lost all hope. For who could ever learn to love...a Beast?