The Roar Of The Beast Could Be Heard For Miles

Marlee Belle's father had knocked and knocked on the huge wooden door, but no one came to let him in. He slowly opened the door and wouldn't you know it the door squeaked and squawked. He quickly stepped back onto the porch, but still no one came. Once again, he opened the door, but this time he stepped inside. He looked around and was amazed at how beautiful it was inside. The floors gleamed  and the furniture looked like it was fit for a king. "I wonder who lives here, he thought to himself. I sure am hungry. Hopefully I can find someone to bring me some food."

As he walked down the hallway, he could smell some delicious aromas. "Oh that must be some warm tasty food. It smells so wonderful. I am so very hungry. He walked into a small sitting room and sure enough there was a tray with some beautiful cupcakes and tiny little sandwiches with a cup of tea.

He ate them quickly and decided to sit and rest for a few minutes. He had had a terrible journey to the city. When he got there he found out that indeed his ship had arrived, but his partners thought that he was dead so they helped themselves to everything of value that was on the ship. He had fought tooth and nail with them for several months. He had been gone much longer than he had expected. He was going home with no gifts for his wife or children. He was a sad man.

He had weathered a snow storm as he traveled through the woods. He was so cold and bruised. He had fallen several times in the forest because of the slippery roots of trees and fallen branches. His poor horse was exhausted and hungry.

He had seen the strangest things on the path that he had finally found. There was a group of trees that looked like trees with tulips on them and lots of statues. He saw statues of deer and giraffes. He saw statues of many strange things.The owls and bunny rabbits were all made of stone. They didn't move even a little bit. The tired man could hardly believe his eyes when he saw an eagle landing on her nest that was hard as a rock.

Marlee Belle's father had been in awe of all that he had seen. The trees and the animals along his pathway were things he had never seen before. "This is down right frightning. I am afraid that this is a place that a witch has visited, yet it is beautiful. If  I wasn't so tired and hungry I would go back. But of course, he had knocked on the door and had at last let himself inside. He wasn't convinced that the place wasn't under some kind of spell. Nothing seemed normal to him.

 He was so very tired. He found fireplaces all about the castle that were burning brightly. The fire was warm and welcoming to a tired stranger. There were comfortable chairs and couches to lay his head down. "I think I will take just a short nap and see if I can't find some food for my horse, then head back to my soon to be very disappointed family.

The next morning he awoke to find himself in a beautiful bed with another fireplace warming him and his spirits. He discovered he was so terribly hungry again. He washed his hands and decided to look around a bit more. It was very early in the morning, yet he could again smell food. It smelled like ham. Perhaps the owner was awake and he could thank him for the bed and food.

He sat down and ate heartily of all the delicious food. After looking for some time he decided that he had better leave and face the music that was waiting for him at home. He let himself out the door and saw a rose bush that was growing in a beautiful garden.  "Beauty would love this rose. She asks for nothing. I will pick this rose and keep it close to my heart so that Beauty will have this to press in one of her books that she loves to read.

The roar of the Beast could be heard for miles and miles as he came from behind Marlee Belle's father. "How dare ye pick my roses without asking? You will pay and you will pay dearly."