Introduction

"I guess I must begin as all fairy stories begin," began an old woman in the corner of a library, with children around her as though in a trance. Boys and girls of all ages had been coming and sitting with rapt attention for the past two hours, coming to make fun, but staying to listen.

"Yes," the woman continued, "and the way most fairy stories begin is with the phrase, 'Once upon a time.' But I suppose that would not be a true statement. And so this story is no longer a 'once upon a time.'"

Sasha stood, secretly watching her little brother and sister spellbound by the older woman, behind a metal bookcase. Though the fourteen-year-old hated to admit it, she loved fairy tales, so she let herself be pulled into the story. An open copy of Beauty and the Beast lay open on her lap. She glanced down at the words now and then, but after a while, she simply sat, involved in the dramatic tale, and laid her head against the wall. And she began to imagine...