Noël de la Bête

That Christmas started out like any other. The forest workers announced that they were going to decorate their tree with live birds. None of the other servants understood what they meant until they scattered seeds among the branches of some of the evergreens in the forest. When the birds came to eat the seeds, they seemed to decorate the trees like colorful ornaments, but at the time, I didn't care, for I was too spoiled and selfish to appreciate any form of beauty.

While the forest workers were doing their chores in the woods, the servants who worked inside the castle presented my presents. What a fool I was! Lumière offered me a book, and Forte had composed a musical piece in my honor, but I didn't appreciate either. Looking back, I realize I should have been honored by such gifts.

Hearing a knock, I stormed to the castle door to see who dared to interrupt my Christmas. When I saw an ugly old woman begging for shelter, I turned her away. Why did she think I needed a rose anyway?! I was the prince, the future king! If I had ever wanted a rose for some reason, I could easily have gotten a dozen. Besides, she was hideous.

We all know what happened next. Needless to say, it was a long time before the servants forgave me. My elegant castle became as gloomy as a dungeon, and my woodland seemed dark and foreboding.

I didn't sleep well that night. I couldn't get used to the feeling of being wrapped in fur. When I finally managed to doze off, I was awakened by a cruel sound, as if the forest itself burned with the dark anger of pure hatred.

"What is that sound?!" I seized the mirror the enchantress had given me. "Show me what's causing that noise!"

The mirror showed me an area near the castle gate where large, gray dogs were snarling. Then one of the animals howled. It was a mournful sound, piercing the night as if a lost soul cried out in anguish.

This was impossible! How could there be wolves in my forest?!

When I told the servants about it the next day, they assured me that no harm would come of it. Wolves were actually beneficial for the environment, and unless rabid or provoked, they never attacked humans. Assured that there was no danger, I gave the wolves no further thought until an old man came to my castle about ten years later.

I'm sorry to say I had never been a gracious host, and spending a decade as a monster hadn't exactly improved my mood, so I threw my visitor in the dungeon.