Listen closely, children, and I will tell you a tale, about a maiden who fell in love with a beast and became his bride. Once upon a time, there lived a maiden who was neither too ugly nor too beautiful. She was the kindest and the most modest of everyone around her. Yet she was unknown to many, for she was so small, so plain, so sweet that she was overlooked very often in favor of her companions, who were more known, more beautiful, and more charming. The maiden did not mind so much, but it disappointed her when people did not remember so much as her name, which is unknown to this day. One day, the young maiden went out for a walk. She did