Rapunzel
A voice in a lonely tower. A secret journey through the forest. And a reunion that brings hope.
A story to read together
Rapunzel, Rapunzel
Take your time. Let the story unfold.
Once upon a time, a woman lived beside a garden filled with beautiful rapunzel flowers. She longed to taste them. One evening, her husband climbed into the garden to gather some for her. The garden belonged to a witch, who caught him and demanded their first child in return. Frightened, he agreed. When their baby girl was born, the witch came to claim her and named her Rapunzel.
The tower in the forest
The witch took Rapunzel far away and raised her in a tall tower hidden among the trees. The tower had no door and no stairs. High above the ground, there was only one small window.
Rapunzel grew up with long, golden hair. Whenever the witch came to visit, she stood below the window and called:
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!”
Rapunzel lowered her long braid, and the witch climbed up to the window.
A song in the trees
One day, a prince rode through the forest and heard Rapunzel singing. Her voice was so lovely that he stopped to listen. He searched among the trees until he found the tower.
He watched the witch arrive and learned her call. When the witch had gone, the prince stood below the window and called out. Rapunzel lowered her hair, and he climbed up. The two became friends, then fell in love.
The prince brought silk threads so Rapunzel could weave a ladder and leave the tower safely. They planned to use it when the time was right.
The secret is discovered
One day, Rapunzel accidentally let the witch know that someone else had been visiting. The witch grew furious. She cut Rapunzel’s golden hair and sent her far away to live in a lonely desert.
When the prince returned, the witch tricked him with Rapunzel’s cut hair. He climbed to the window, discovered the truth and fell among the thorns below. His eyes were hurt, and he could no longer see.
A voice, then a reunion
The prince wandered for a long time, hoping to find Rapunzel. One day, he heard a familiar voice in the distance. He followed it across the desert until he found her.
Rapunzel ran to him. Her tears touched his eyes, and his sight returned. At last, they could see each other again. The prince took Rapunzel back to his kingdom, where they made a home together with their twin children.
The end
After the final page
There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.
How did the prince discover the way up to Rapunzel’s tower?
Which moment changed the story most? What made it important?
If Rapunzel could send one message from the tower, what might she say?
Make something: Draw a new cover for the story, or write one kind sentence Rapunzel might put in a letter.