The Charming Gift Read Online Free Page A

doors at the entrance to the castle. But on the way, he ran into his mother.
    â€œWhere are you going in such a rush?” asked Mrs. Potts.
    â€œI’m going outside, Mama!” Chip said proudly. “Cogsworth needs a sprig of holly to make his charm.”
    Mrs. Potts shook her head. “The area around the fountain is covered in ice. It’s much too slippery for you. No, my dear, you’ll have to find another way to help Cogsworth.”
    â€œBut, Mama—” Chip began.
    â€œNo buts, my dear,” Mrs. Potts said firmly.
    Chip frowned, but only for a minute. He knew two things: Cogsworth needed a sprig of holly, and he couldn’t get it for him. He would have to find someone who could.
    Just then, Chip heard a clatter. It came from the West Wing…the one place in the castle where he was forbidden to go.
    And that gave him an idea!
    Chip glanced around to make sure no one was looking as he hopped up the stairs to the West Wing. I won’t really go inside, Chip thought. I’ll just stand outside and ask the master to come out.
    But when Chip arrived at the West Wing, the heavy oak door was closed. He knew that even if he yelled as loud as he could, the Beast probably wouldn’t hear him.
    So Chip took a deep breath and nudged the door open an inch at a time, until he could squeeze in. But he never had to call for the Beast—the door’s squeaky hinges gave him away!
    â€œWho goes there?” yelled the Beast. He leaped out from the shadows. “Who dares to disturb me in the West Wing? You know that you are forbidden to enter. Get out!” the Beast roared.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Chip whispered.
    When the Beast realized that it was only Chip, his face softened. “My apologies,” he said. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I was just worried about the enchanted rose. It’s already begun to wilt, so I don’t want anything to happen that could make its petals fall even faster. What can I do for you, Chip?”
    â€œCogsworth needs a sprig of holly to make his charm, but Mama won’t let me go outside because it’s too icy,” Chip said.
    â€œI can get it,” the Beast replied as they went downstairs. “A walk outside would do me good right now. It will be nice to take a break. And maybe I’ll figure out how to finish the rose charm I’ve been working on.”
    â€œDo you need some help?” Chip asked.
    â€œI might,” the Beast admitted. “I just can’t figure out how to make my charm look like a winter rose. Maybe the snow and ice outside will inspire me.”
    â€œI have an idea!” Chip exclaimed as the Beast opened the castle’s front door. But neither one of them expected to see Belle on the other side of it!
    â€œI was just hanging this wreath on the door. Where are you two going?” Belle said cheerfully.
    â€œI need to get some holly for Cogsworth,” the Beast said nervously. “But I think it might be too slippery outside for you, Chip.”
    â€œI can come with you—if you’d like company,” Belle offered.
    â€œOf course,” the Beast replied, trying not to show how nervous he was. The Beast glanced back over his shoulder at Chip. “We’ll be back soon.”
    â€œBye!” Chip called as the heavy door closed behind them. He rushed toward the Royal Jewelry Chamber for a very important mission of his own!

W hen the Beast and Belle got back from their walk, it was time for Belle to start getting ready for the ball.
    â€œOh, my!” Mrs. Potts cried as the coat rack started to brush Belle’s hair. “Look at all these snowflakes in your hair!”
    â€œYour hair will dry soon enough,” Wardrobe told Belle. “Have you thought about how you’d like to wear it tonight?”
    â€œI was thinking that maybe we could pull the sides into a bun, and leave the rest of my hair down,” Belle suggested.