Retold by Jenny Dooley
Express Publishing Graded Readers Level 1
Chapter 1 The Castle
A very long time ago, on a small farm, there lived a poor farmer with his three daughters. He never made much money as his farm was very small. When he was a young man, he lost the most valuable thing in his life. His beautiful and kind wife died when their last baby daughter was born.
Now his daughters were almost young women, but the farmer still felt the same pain in his heart for her.
One day, he called his girls.
"Girls! Listen to me! We have more fruit from our trees, and more wheat from our fields, than ever before. I can sell a lot of food this year and buy a new cart.
Gertrude, his eldest daughter was very happy about this.
"Good! Because I cannot walk to the village any more, or carry wood for the fire. I need a cart."
Ursula, his second daughter, was also happy about it.
"Can I come with you, Father? I want to see the town for once!'
"I can't take you with me. You must help your sisters with the work on the farm. But I will bring each of you a present."
"I want a new satin dress! An expensive one!"
"I want some new clothes, too. And I want some jewellery - a necklace and a ring!
"Well, girls, I will buy you what I can."
Then he looked at his youngest daughter.
"What do you want from the town?"
"Father, I only want you to come back home safely."
The farmer saw in her kind face the face of his dear, sweet wife. But then his other daughters shouted.
"You only say that because you want to make us look selfish!"
"Don't listen to her, Father! She likes this poor life on the farm. She is stupid!"
This was not true; she was very clever. She was also very beautiful. And that was why her name was Beauty.
The farmer looked at the older girls. Why were they so unkind? He looked at Beauty and smiled at her.
"Come on, my love, let me bring you a present. Tell me, what do you want?"
"Alright, Father. Will you bring me a rose?"
"A