Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly

Author:Jennifer Donnelly
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Press
Published: 2017-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

“MAMA SAYS THE MASTER feels awful,” Chip said, chattering away. “She says he’s got a terrible cough and sniffles. And that he’s very cranky.”

“The Beast, cranky? I don’t believe it,” Belle joked.

Chip laughed. “I was going to visit him with Froufrou to try to cheer him up, but Mama said no. She said we’ll give him a relaugh. What’s wrong with that, Belle? Lumiere says laughter is the best medicine.”

“I think she meant relapse, Chip.”

“Oh,” Chip said, his little face falling. “Well, there must be something we can do.”

Just then, Belle stumbled and spilled some of the crumbs. A tiny sparrow immediately swooped down to peck at them.

Which gave her an idea.

“Come on, Chip!” she said excitedly, veering off toward the West Wing.

“But what about the chickens?” Chip asked.

“We’ll bring them some cracked wheat later,” she called over her shoulder.

When they reached the snow-covered west lawn, Belle took her mittens off and started sprinkling the crumbs on the ground, making careful, deliberate lines.

“What are we doing, Belle?” Chip asked, watching her.

“We’re writing a message for him,” she replied.

“But, Belle, it won’t work. The master won’t see the crumbs. They won’t show up against the snow.”

“He’ll see them. I promise!” Belle said.

Chip looked unconvinced, but he followed her as she worked. When she was finished, she put her mittens back on and walked toward the Beast’s window. A lark trilled loudly from a tree. It flapped its wings and flew down to the crumbs.

“See, Belle? The birds are going to eat up all the crumbs!” Chip cried.

“That’s the whole idea!” said Belle, grinning. “Now we’ve just got to get his attention!”

She bent down, scooped up some snow, and patted it together. She launched her snowball at the Beast’s window and hit it dead center. But nothing happened. No one appeared at the panes.

“Try again!” Chip urged.

Belle scraped up more snow, packed it tightly, and then wound up. An instant after she fired the snowball, the window suddenly opened. Cogsworth stuck his head out…and took a speeding missile straight to the face.

“Oh, no!” Belle cried, her hands coming up to her mouth.

Chip quickly hid behind her skirts.

“Raise the drawbridge! Lower the portcullis!” Cogsworth bellowed, wiping the snow away. “We’re under attack!”

Lumiere came to the window. He pulled Cogsworth away and peered out.

“Lumiere!” Belle called out. “Over here!”

Lumiere spotted her. He smiled and waved.

“Tell Cogsworth I’m sorry!” Belle shouted.

“Do I have to?” Lumiere shouted back.

“Yes! And can you get the Beast?”

Lumiere nodded, then disappeared into the room.

A few seconds later, the Beast appeared in his dressing gown, scowling—but the moment he saw Belle, in her blue cloak with her cheeks rosy from the cold, waving like mad, he smiled.

“Look at the lawn!” she shouted.

The Beast tilted his head; he held a paw to his ear.

“He can’t hear us!” said Chip.

Belle cupped her hands to her mouth. “LOOK OVER THERE!” she yelled, then pointed to where she had placed the crumbs.

The Beast turned his head. His smile broadened into laughter.

Dozens of birds—sparrows, cuckoos, magpies, ouzels, and larks—had spotted the tasty crumbs.

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