When he finally returned home, his worried daughters ran towards him.
His eldest daughter expressed her worries, “Father, we were so worried that you weren’t going to return. How would your business have survived without you?”
The merchant looked concerned as he explained to his daughters the cost of escaping the storm. Upon hearing the news that their father’s business was lost at the bottom of the sea and all of their wealth gone, the two elder daughters buried their faces in their silk handkerchiefs and wept.
Beauty did not pause but instead, ran towards her father and hugged him so tightly as she spoke softly, “I am so glad you came home safely to us, Father. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
The merchant smiled at Beauty as tears filled his eyes, for Beauty was truly the kindest person.
