On his way home from another fruitless attempt to restore his fortune, Maurice happens across an old castle (now this sounds familiar, doesn’t it?) and decides to take shelter from the storm. Once inside, he discovers the building is entirely deserted – and so, when he happens upon some freshly prepared food, he assumes it’s the work of a kindly fairy and decides to help himself.

The next morning, he prepares to leave, but not before stopping off in the garden to pick a rose for his favourite daughter. It’s the final straw for the Beast, who feels as if Maurice is now taking advantage of his hospitality. He threatens to kill the hapless merchant but, when he hears that Maurice has daughters, the Beast agrees to spare his life… on one condition.

You guessed it; the Beast sends the merchant home with a chest filled with gold (as well as the rose) – and orders him to return, or send one of his daughters in his place.

The original story of Beauty and the Beast is far darker than you’d think…