A few days back I noted that I do not care for fairy tales. They are a tad bit boring in my view and rarely offer any originality. But that is not to say I hate all fairy tales. I was always partial to one, that being Beauty and the Beast. I mean, its not that original either and we are constantly faced with such an odd coupling in society. Look at our President-elect and his wife.  Thus, in that sense I don’t care for that age-old story.  Of course, the beastliness in these stories is about the external mannerisms. Inside the beast is a puppy. Probably a little bulldog puppy. Are those cute or what? Truly.

What is it about the Beauty and the Beast story that appeals to me?  First off, I love the name Belle. But that is not that important. Second, I love that Belle reads and appears to be smart and kind. These days there are less people reading actual books.  Many just read Facebook posts that are overtly biased and/or misleading. Apparently, Facebook has been all about the fake news these days.  Is that not just abhorrent? People don’t read and when they do, they are reading false stories meant to bring the hatred on.  I shudder. But I digress. Back to Belle. Lets hear it for the girl. She reads for the love of reading!

Third, I appreciate that Belle and the Beast they get to know each other. This whole falling in love due to destiny or a kiss given while slumbering seems quite silly. Have you seen that recent commercial where Sleeping Beauty pretends to be asleep and let’s the Prince ride away? I love that!

Fourth, and by far the best reason in my view, are the talking appliances. Or rather, magical appliances and furniture. I like to imagine how my appliances would react and sing in such a world. My microwave would definitely feel the most put upon and would probably vent continously. My stove would feel lonely and show constant need for attention. I imagine my stove being a little like Dory. The refrigerator would complain of how wishy-washy I am and how it is tired of cheese. It would be starving for meat. Probably obsessed. My television would note that it is in no way aware of what the current state of the world is and would thus be the one most sheltered. My laptop would probably dance the tango with me. Sadly, there would be no clocks running on time.

Do I need a vacation?

I do have to note that many of these things that I like about Beauty and the Beast appear to be unique to the Disney version of the Fairytale as the original story by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont depicted a darker, more depressing world. The Disney version is filled with magic and truly transports one to a different mindset. And that will be the one time I give such high praise to Disney. So, go ahead and be my guest and dream away of how your furniture would dance and sing about you.