Rapunzel

Rapunzel

Once upon a time, there was a lonely witch. “ I would like to have some company, " the witch decided. So, late one night, she crept into a nearby village. She stole a baby who was asleep in her cradle. " She will be my daughter, " said the witch, " and I will name her Rapunzel. "

Rapunzel grew into a beautiful young woman. Her hair was like spun gold, and her voice was like a bird's. The witch was afraid that Rapunzel would be taken from her. She hid Rapunzel inside a tall tower and used magic to block the door with heavy stones. " You are safe here, " the witch said to Rapunzel. " No one will visit you but me. "

Each day, the witch stood underneath Rapunzel's window and called, " Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair! " Rapunzel would let her long hair fall down the side of the tower. Then the witch would climb up and visit her. Rapunzel was lonely, though, and bored. She passed the time by singing to the birds outside.

One day, a prince rode nearby and heard her singing. He followed the sound until he came to the tower and saw Rapunzel sitting at her window. At once, he was enchanted by her beauty. The prince tried to enter the tower, but he could not move the stones from the door. So he stayed below, listening to Rapunzel's song.

At dawn, the witch appeared. She called out, " Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair! " and then climbed up to Rapunzel's window. The prince watched the tower all day. As the sun began to set, he saw the witch leave. Then he, too, called out, " Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair! " and climbed up.