While being videotaped, ten second graders and ten fifth graders retold the story of "Beauty and the Beast" which was read twice to them during the preceding week. Responses were evaluated for content and accuracy. Results showed that younger children more accurately recalled the story and more frequently mentioned its resolution. Older children recalled fewer events and had more difficulty with the story's sequence; they were less likely to mention the resolution but focused on the conflict. It is suggested that the older children's social/cognitive development, enabling them to consider relative truths and viewpoints, led them to concentrate on elements of choice and conflict rather than on sequential events and resolutions. (Author/MP)