Rapunzel
Rapunzel is a story based on rampion. Rampion is a member of the bellflower family. It has bluish flowers and edible leaves and roots that are usually used in salads. Rampion grows wild and is also called rapunzel. This on-line script matches what you hear in the audio – a great way to learn English and how to read.
Rapunzel eScript available – Go HERE
Grimmly Speaking: Volume 1: 12 Scripts for 12 Tales is available in both paperback and Kindle – Go HERE
Cast In Order Of Appearance:
Narrator
Husband
Wife
Gothel
Rapunzel
Prince
NARRATOR
Once upon a time there was a husband and wife who lived next door to an enchantress named Dame Gothel, who had great powers and was dreaded by all the world. She also had a beautiful garden that was surrounded by a high wall.
One day, while sitting next to a high window, the wife looked down onto Dame Gothel’s garden and saw the most beautiful rampion.
Rampion is a member of the bellflower family and has bluish flowers. Its edible leaves and roots are typically used in salads. Rampion grows wild and is also known as rapunzel.
The wife desired to eat the rampion, but she knew she could not get any so she pined away and became pale and miserable. Her husband grew alarmed.
HUSBAND
What ails you, dear wife?
WIFE
If I cannot eat some of that rampion, I shall die.
NARRATOR
The husband loved his wife and decided to get her some, no matter what the cost. At twilight, he climbed over the fence, grabbed some rampion and took it to his wife.
She ate it greedily. It tasted so good that her desire for rampion increased three times what it was before.
To appease her, the husband once more climbed over the fence, but Dame Gothel was waiting for him.
GOTHEL
How dare you descend like a thief and steal from my garden. You shall suffer for this!
HUSBAND
Please, let mercy take the place of justice. My wife saw your rampion and said she would die if she could not eat some.
GOTHEL
If that is the case, then you may take as much rampion as you like, but on one condition.
HUSBAND
Yes?
GOTHEL
Your wife will give birth soon and you must give me the child. I will treat it well and care for it just like a mother.
HUSBAND
Okay.
NARRATOR
When the time came, the husband gave a new baby girl to Dame Gothel. This baby girl was named Rapunzel and she grew into the most beautiful child under the sun.
When Rapunzel turned twelve, Dame Gothel took her into the forest and shut her up in a tall tower that had no stairs and no door. There was only a small window high above the ground.
When Dame Gothel came to visit, she stood under that window and called –
GOTHEL
Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.
RAPUNZEL
Okay.
NARRATOR
Rapunzel had magnificent long hair which she kept braided. She would wind her braids around a hook on the windowsill and then let the rest fall over twenty ells to the ground.
An ell is an old unit of measurement of nearly forty-five inches, which means that this window was about ninety feet above the ground.
Dame Gothel grabbed the braided hair as one would grab a rope, and with Rapunzel’s help pulling, this is how she climbed up and into the tower.
GOTHEL
Thank you, my dear.
NARRATOR
A year or two passed and a Prince, while riding through the forest, heard Rapunzel singing. He looked for a door to the tower, but couldn’t find one, so he rode home.
Each day he returned to the forest to listen to her pretty voice. Finally, one morning he saw Dame Gothel approach the tower and call –
GOTHEL
Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.
RAPUNZEL
Okay.
NARRATOR
The Prince watched with surprise as the braided hair fell and Dame Gothel climbed up to the window and then back down from the window later that afternoon. He left and returned the next day at twilight. The Prince called –
PRINCE
Rapunzel, Rapunzel,
Let down your hair to me.
RAPUNZEL
Okay.
NARRATOR
Her braids fell and up he climbed.
At first, Rapunzel was frightened. Having been raised behind the high walls of Dame Gothel’s garden and inside the tower – Rapunzel had never seen a young man.
But the Prince talked to her as a friend. He finally said –
PRINCE
Your singing has captured my heart and this is why I had to meet you. Please, won’t you marry me?
NARRATOR
Rapunzel thought –
RAPUNZEL
He will love me more than old Dame Gothel does.
NARRATOR
And so, to the Prince, Rapunzel said –
RAPUNZEL
Yes, I will marry you. But I need to get down from this tower. Bring me a skein of silk each time you visit and I shall weave a ladder. When it is ready, I shall descend and we will ride back to the castle on your horse.NARRATOR
Because Dame Gothel came only during the day, the Prince visited Rapunzel each evening. Dame Gothel suspected nothing, until one day, Rapunzel said –
RAPUNZEL
Tell me, Dame Gothel, why are you so much heavier for me to draw up than the Prince? He will be here soon.
GOTHEL
What did you say?! Why, you wicked child! I thought I had separated you from all the world!
NARRATOR
In her anger, she clutched Rapunzel’s braids, cut them off, and tied them to the hook on the windowsill. Then, using her great magic, she sent Rapunzel to a desert to live in grief and misery.
When the Prince arrived, Dame Gothel was waiting for him.
GOTHEL
Aha! Your beautiful bird no longer sings in this nest. The cat has gotten her and this same cat is now going to scratch your eyes out. You will never see Rapunzel again!
PRINCE
Oh no you don’t!
NARRATOR
The Prince leapt from the tower and, by luck, landed on a bush which broke his fall. But its thorns pierced his eyes and blinded him. Thus, he began wandering – eating roots and berries whilst lamenting and weeping for his lost Rapunzel.
Some years passed and he finally wandered into the very same desert where Rapunzel lived. She had given birth to twins, a boy and a girl, and lived in wretchedness.
The Prince heard her voice and went towards it. Rapunzel recognized him and she ran and hugged him.
RAPUNZEL
My Prince!
NARRATOR
As Rapunzel cried with joy, two of her tears fell upon the Prince’s eyes and healed his blindness.
PRINCE
I can see again!
NARRATOR
The Prince then led Rapunzel and their children back to his kingdom whereupon they were greeted with great rejoicing and celebration. Together, they lived happy and contented for a long long time. The End.
©2007-2015 Lishka DeVoss/Kranky Kids®