Rapunzel

A woman looked from her cottage window into a walled garden. Bright green rapunzel plants grew there, and she wished for them more each day. The garden belonged to a powerful enchantress.

At last, her husband climbed over the wall to gather the plants. The enchantress caught him in the moonlight. 'You may take them,' she said, 'but when your baby is born, she must come to me.'

When the baby arrived, the enchantress kept the promise. She named the child Rapunzel and carried her away. As Rapunzel grew, so did her long, shining golden hair, until the enchantress hid her in a tall forest tower.

Every day the enchantress stood below and called: 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!' Rapunzel would lower her golden braid, and the enchantress would climb up.

A young prince rode through the forest and heard sweet singing. He hid behind a tree and watched the enchantress call: 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!'

The next evening, the prince stood at the tower alone. 'Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!' The long golden braid came tumbling down.

Rapunzel was surprised to find a kind young man at her window. They talked and laughed and became good friends. He asked her to come away with him, and she said yes.

But Rapunzel let the secret slip, and the enchantress found out. She cut off Rapunzel's braid and sent her far away.

That evening the enchantress tricked the prince, and he fell. The fall hurt his eyes, and he could not see. He wandered through the dark forest, lost and alone.

After many days, the prince heard a familiar voice singing nearby. Though he still could not see, he knew it was Rapunzel. She saw him, ran to him, and held him close.

Her tears fell softly on his eyes, and he could see again. Together they walked home through the golden evening light.

Rapunzel and the young prince were safe and warm at last. Love that is true always finds its way home.