The Charming Gift (2 page)

M
rs. Potts arrived at Belle's bedroom just in time to see her twirl around in her beautiful new ball gown.

“Do you like it?” Wardrobe, another one of the enchanted objects, asked eagerly.

“Like it? Oh, I
love
it!” Belle cried.

Belle spun around again. Her gown was made from sparkly gold fabric. Delicate long sleeves and a full glittering skirt added just the right amount of elegance.

“Wardrobe, you've outdone yourself,” Mrs. Potts said.

“I just wanted our Belle to look wonderful tonight,” Wardrobe said. “Now, for my favorite part…accessories! What would you like to wear, my dear? A necklace? A bracelet? Earrings? Or all three?” Suddenly, Wardrobe's drawers flew open to reveal trays of sparkling jewelry.

“Oh, it's all so lovely,” Belle said as she peeked into the drawers. “How will I ever decide?” Belle slipped ruby and emerald rings on her fingers and looked through the jewels. Suddenly, she gasped.

“Is that a—?” Belle asked in excitement. But her smile disappeared as she pulled something shiny out of one of the drawers.

“Is something wrong?” Wardrobe asked.

“Oh, it's nothing,” Belle said. “I thought this was a charm bracelet, but that was just a pendant lying on top of it. It's a beautiful bracelet, but I wish…”

“What do you wish, dear?” Mrs. Potts asked after Belle's voice trailed off.

“When I was a little girl, my father gave me a very special Christmas present,” Belle explained. “He spent weeks working on it. Late at night, I could hear strange noises coming from his workshop, like the whistle of a teakettle and the clang of a hammer hitting metal. I had no idea what he was making!”

Mrs. Potts and Wardrobe both leaned in closer to Belle, captivated by her story.

“Then, on Christmas morning, I woke up with my heart pounding,” Belle continued. “It was still dark when I jumped out of bed and rushed over to the Christmas tree. There, I found a tiny box wrapped in red paper. I was so surprised by how small it was. Usually, my father's inventions are enormous!”

Belle smiled at the memory. “My hands were shaking as I opened the box,” she said. “Inside was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen!”

“Ooh, what was it?” Wardrobe squealed.

“A charm bracelet made out of shining silver,” Belle said. “It had five tiny charms on it: a winter rose, a teacup, a sprig of holly, a star, and a snowflake.”

“That sounds lovely,” Mrs. Potts said. “How did he pick those charms for the bracelet?”

“Each one had a special meaning,” Belle remembered. “The teacup represented the warmth of friendship. The rose represented the beauty of love. The sprig of holly was a symbol of faithfulness since holly stays green all year. And the snowflake was a reminder that life is full of changes. The snowflake was my favorite.”

“What about the star?” Wardrobe asked.

“Oh, the star? The star was for making wishes,” Belle said. She turned to look out the window. “If I still had my bracelet, I'd make a wish on that star right now. But it's back at our cottage. I don't suppose I'll ever see it again…or my father.”

Mrs. Potts and Wardrobe looked at each other. They could both tell how homesick Belle felt. They knew that she loved her father more than anything—that's why she had agreed to take his place as the Beast's prisoner. So it came as no surprise that she missed him more than anything, too.

“Well, it sounds like a lovely bracelet,” Mrs. Potts said kindly. “I'm sure it would have been a beautiful accessory to wear with your new gown.”

Belle nodded sadly.

Mrs. Potts frowned. She wanted to make Belle feel better. Suddenly, she had an idea!

“You know, I have some jewelry that would match your gown,” Mrs. Potts said.

“You do?” asked Wardrobe. “I don't remember—”

“It's been in my family for years,” Mrs. Potts said, interrupting Wardrobe. Then she turned back to Belle. “I'd be happy to lend it to you, if you'd like. I know how important family is to you.”

“That's very kind,” Belle replied. “Thank you.”

“I'll bring it to your room before you get ready tonight,” Mrs. Potts promised. “And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the kitchen. There's still a great deal to do before the ball starts!”

“Come over here, dear,” Wardrobe said to Belle. “Let's finish hemming your gown.”

But instead of heading to the kitchen, Mrs. Potts hurried to the Beast's study, where she found the Beast and Chip sharing a bar of chocolate.

“I need you both to come to the kitchen,” she said. “Bring Cogsworth and Lumiere. Hurry!”

“What's going on, Mama?” Chip asked.

“Is everything all right?” added the Beast.

But Mrs. Potts had already disappeared down the hall!

A
few minutes later, Mrs. Potts led the Beast, Cogsworth, Lumiere, and Chip into the pantry at the back of the kitchen. She closed the door behind them.

“What is going on?” asked Beast.

Mrs. Potts took a deep breath. “I've just come from Belle's room,” she said. “The poor dear is feeling homesick, I'm afraid.”

“But I thought the ball would make her happy,” the Beast said, frowning.

“Oh, I'm sure it will,” Mrs. Potts replied. “But not even the ball can keep her from missing her home…and her father.”

“What can we do?” asked Lumiere.

“Belle told me about a special charm bracelet her father made for her,” Mrs. Potts explained. “What if we make Belle a new charm bracelet? She can wear it tonight. And perhaps it will help her to think of the castle as her new home…and us as her new family.”

“But the ball is
today
!” Cogsworth cried. “How could we make it in time?”

“Belle's bracelet had five charms—a star, a snowflake, a winter rose, a sprig of holly, and a teacup,” Mrs. Potts said. “If we each make one charm, then we might be able to finish it in time. And Belle ought to be busy enough today helping us clean and set up for the ball that we can make the charms without her finding out about them!”

“I could make the rose charm,” the Beast volunteered.

“I'll make the snowflake!” Chip said excitedly. “I know Belle loves to take long walks in the snow.”

“That's a great idea,” Mrs. Potts replied. “I think I'd like to make the teacup, if that's all right with everyone else.”

“I will make the star!” Lumiere announced.

“And
I
, the holly!” Cogsworth declared.

“What are we waiting for?” asked the Beast. “We'll find everything we need in the Royal Jewelry Chamber. Follow me!”

The chamber was located on the top floor of the West Wing. Mountains of rainbow-colored jewels sparkled in the golden sunlight: red rubies, yellow topazes, green emeralds, blue sapphires, purple amethysts, white diamonds, and black onyx. Long strands of gold chains and shiny pearls swooped along the walls. The jewelry was absolutely stunning!

“There's no shortage of jewels in here,” Mrs. Potts said in awe. “Everyone gather what you need and try to finish by four o'clock. Then we can present the bracelet to Belle before the sun sets…and the ball begins!”

As everyone else searched the Royal Jewelry Chamber for supplies, Mrs. Potts picked out a delicate gold chain for the bracelet. “This bracelet is
just
the right shade of gold,” she said. “It will match Belle's dress perfectly!” Then she scooped up a small sack of jewels before hurrying back to the kitchen.

“Mama, wait! Wait for me!” Chip called as he scurried after her. “Can I help you?”

“Why, of course, my dear,” Mrs. Potts said. “I've never made jewelry before. I'll need all the help I can get!”

When they arrived in the kitchen, they carefully placed all of the jewels on the counter. “Those are pretty, Mama,” Chip said. “What kind are they?”

“The pale blue ones with the colorful specks are called opals,” Mrs. Potts replied.

“They look like they have rainbows in them!” Chip exclaimed.

“That they do,” Mrs. Potts agreed. “The purple ones are called amethysts. And the pink ones are rose quartz.”

“Oh, Mrs. Potts?” a voice called from the doorway. It was Belle!

Instantly, Chip and Mrs. Potts scurried in front of the jewels so that Belle wouldn't see them.

“Y-yes, child?” Mrs. Potts asked nervously.

“I'm sorry to bother you, but I was hoping I could get a little snack,” Belle said. “All the preparations for the ball are making me hungry!”

“Why, of course, my dear,” Mrs. Potts replied in her usual friendly voice. But she gave Chip a worried look. He understood why. If Mrs. Potts moved away from the jewels, Belle would see them!

Chip took a deep breath and leaped into the air, turned a double somersault, and landed upside-down…right over the jewels!

Belle started to clap. “What amazing acrobatics, Chip!” she exclaimed. “I guess we're all excited about the ball, aren't we?”

“Here you go, my dear,” Mrs. Potts said quickly as she offered Belle a scone with raspberry jam.

“Scones, my favorite. Thank you!” Belle replied as she left the kitchen.

As soon as she was gone, Chip and Mrs. Potts sighed with relief.

“That was close!” Chip squealed. “So, what should we do with these jewels, Mama?”

“I'm not sure yet,” Mrs. Potts said. She tried to move the jewels into the shape of a teacup. But they looked more like a sparkling flower.

“Maybe you could glue them to something that looks like a teacup,” Chip suggested.

“That's brilliant!” she exclaimed. “I know just the thing, too. Wait here.”

Pans banged and clanged as Mrs. Potts looked in one of the cupboards. “Here it is,” she finally said. “This old cookie sheet is covered in burn marks. I can't use it to bake cookies anymore. So we can cut a teacup shape out of it instead! We just need one more helper to get the job done. Stove, would you do the honors?”

“Of course,” Stove replied. He had a fiery temper, but was always happy to help as long as it didn't interfere with his cooking masterpieces!

Mrs. Potts and Chip balanced the cookie sheet on the counter. Then they held it in place while Stove used a pair of sharp kitchen scissors to cut out a teacup shape.

“Look, Mama!” Chip cried. “It looks just like a real teacup—only
really
tiny.”

“Well done, Stove,” Mrs. Potts said. “Now all we need is a little glue to attach the gems.”

“There's glue in the study,” Chip said eagerly. “I can get it!”

“You'd better take the tea cart,” Mrs. Potts said. “We need to leave enough time for the glue to dry before the ball!”