Beauty and the Beast

In another classic Disney pillaging, we have the age-old fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, which was originally published in French to wide popularity. It features a wealthy merchant with three daughters, two of whom are little brats and one who is pure of heart, named Belle. The merchant loses all of his money in a storm at sea, and they are forced to live in poverty. One day there is word that one of his ships has returned unscathed, so the merchant goes to town to see about his fortune, and asks his daughters what they want if they are again rich. The daughters want jewelry and dresses, but Belle would like a rose. There is in fact no money, and during his return the father gets lost in the forest and finds a magic castle. He picks a rose for Belle, and is cursed to remain there forever. And here's the horrible part: he decides that Belle should come and stay at the castle in his place! Most of us are familiar with the tale, but this part always gets me. Belle is only 14 years old!