The Charming Gift by Disney Book Group Page B

“Beast!” she called. “Beast, where are you?”
    Belle looked everywhere—in the dining hall, the great room, the foyer, and even the kitchen. She finally spotted the Beast coming down the stairs from the West Wing, where everyone else was forbidden to go. The West Wing held one of the Beast’s most precious possessions—an enchanted rose. As the years passed, the rose had begun to wilt, dropping one petal at a time. If no one fell in love with the Beast before the last petal fell, the curse on the castle would last forever.
    â€œOh, there you are!” Belle cried.
    â€œWhat do you want?” the Beast snapped. Then he cleared his throat and tried to remember his manners. “I mean, what can I do for you?”
    â€œI found this in the library,” Belle said, holding out the invitation. “I was thinking about how delightful it would be to have a solstice ball this year!”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” he said.
    â€œWhy not?” asked Belle. “Surely everyone in the castle would enjoy it!”
    â€œWinter solstice—what’s to enjoy about that?” the Beast grumbled. “The shortest and darkest day of the year. That’s hardly a reason to celebrate.”
    â€œI think it’s all the more reason to celebrate!” Belle exclaimed. “Even the dreariest winter day is more cheerful when friends spend it together.”
    The Beast saw how excited Belle was and didn’t want to disappoint her. “Very well,” he replied, sighing. “But only for those of us inside the castle.”
    â€œOh, thank you!” cried Belle.
    â€œI hope you’re right,” he grumbled. His voice sounded grumpy, but everyone could see that his eyes had a slight twinkle as he looked at the big smile on Belle’s face.

    Everyone got right to work preparing the castle for the Winter Solstice Ball. Cogsworth supervised a parade of brooms, mops, and feather dusters, who cleaned the grand ballroom from floor to ceiling. Even Chip tried to help…but he kept slipping and sliding over the soapy suds! When they were finished, the ballroom sparkled.

    Early in the morning on the day of the ball, Cogsworth tied a thick gold ribbon across the doors to the ballroom. Lumiere guarded the entrance.
    â€œWhat’s this?” the Beast asked curiously. He pointed at the ribbon.
    â€œ Excusez-moi , Master,” Lumiere said apologetically, “but we must, ah, redirect traffic around the ballroom.”
    â€œBut I always take a shortcut through the ballroom to get to the West Wing,” the Beast argued.
    â€œI am sorry, Master,” Lumiere said. “We have finished decorating for the ball and would hate to spoil the surprise!”
    The Beast was about to keep arguing, but then he smelled the scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar. He followed the smell to the kitchen, where Mrs. Potts was almost finished making all the treats for the ball.
    â€œSomething smells delicious,” the Beast said. He reached for a gingerbread cookie.
    â€œPardon me, Master,” Mrs. Potts said. “They’re not cool enough yet to eat!”
    Then the Beast noticed a tall pyramid of cranberry tarts. “How about one of those?”
    â€œThey haven’t cooled yet either, I’m afraid,” Mrs. Potts told him.
    â€œMama wouldn’t even let me have one,” Chip added. The little teacup hopped over to a platter of red-and-white cakes swirled with peppermint icing. “But maybe we could split one of these!”
    â€œBoth of you, out of the kitchen!” Mrs. Potts cried, shooing Chip and the Beast toward the door. “I was supposed to be at Belle’s bedroom ten minutes ago!”
    â€œCome on, Chip,” whispered the Beast as they trudged out of the kitchen. “I have some chocolate in my study. A piece for you and a piece for me!” Chip grinned.
    Mrs. Potts smiled. Normally, she wouldn’t have let Chip