Rapunzel, the One With All the Hair Read Online Free
Author: Wendy Mass
something!
It takes me a good half hour to pull all the pins out of my hair. I add them to my list of possessions and place them carefully in my trunk. When my hair is finally free, I shake it out and run the comb through it. Or, I should say, I TRY to run the comb through it. Mother would weep to see me right now. By the time I finally get all the tangles out, the sun hasset. I light the candle and melt the bottom so it stands upright on the small wooden table. I realize with a start that my hair reaches almost to my feet! Sir Kitty meows in delight and tries to climb it.
âOw! Stop that, Sir Kitty! It hurts!â
âDoes it now?â a voice asks, sounding amused. âWe wouldnât want you in any discomfort.â
I whirl around and find the witch standing on the rug in the center of the room.
âWhere did ⦠how did ⦠where ââ I canât seem to get the words out. Sir Kitty burrows under my hair and starts to quiver.
âIt is of no importance to you where I came from,â she says, taking a step toward me.
I open my mouth to beg to differ, but one look from her and I close it. She sets a plate of steaming food on the table next to my candle. I donât want to take my eyes off her, but I canât stop ogling the roast pig with a side of peas and carrots. The tea in the copper mug looks crisp and refreshing. But I cannot let myself be distracted! I put my hands on my hips and try to look fierce.
âNow look here, witch,â I say in my most imposing voice â which, letâs face it, isnât very imposing at all. âMy parents will be here any minute. You might as well let meout of here right now or ⦠or ⦠you will face the hangmanâs noose for sure!â I stamp my foot for emphasis.
For a moment, she doesnât say anything; she just looks at me, surprised. I must have scared her into realizing what she did was very wrong. I begin to fantasize about what I shall do first thing when I get home. Well, I shall bathe, of course, and eat the almond birthday pie that I never got a chance to enjoy. And after that, Iâll â
Suddenly the witch starts laughing. She laughs so hard, she actually clutches her belly. Then she throws back her head and guffaws some more. Finally she stops, wipes some tears from her craggy face, and says, âAh, foolish girl. Foolish Rapunzel, the name I gave you twelve short years ago. Your parents are not looking for you, and no one will ever find you here. We are far, far away from any village or riding path. Quite well hidden. The only visitors you shall have are the birds and the flies. And me, of course. You may call me Mother Gothel. You and I will become great friends.â
Then she laughs again and I recoil, almost knocking over the table with all the food on it. What does she mean that she named me? Mother told me my godmother named me Rapunzel after her favorite food. Wait a moment! I recall the schoolmaster taught us that rapunzel was another name for rampion! Will I NEVER be free of that herb? I am startingto realize that Mother may have lied about a thing or two. If I ever get out of here, she and I are going to have some words.
I wish the witch would leave already so I might dine in peace. Instead, she reaches out and touches my hair. I want to scream, but I will not give her the satisfaction of showing my fright. She strokes it softly. âI see you have let down your hair, child. It has grown since your birth, yes?â She curls her fist around a section, then lets it slip through her fingers.
âYes, well, Mother was supposed to cut it on my birthday, but I was rudely and savagely kidnapped before she had a chance.â
The witch raises one eyebrow, and half of her mouth twitches. As a result, she looks half amused and half furious. She orders me to stand facing the window like an obedient child. I start to protest, but her eyes darken. I pick up Sir Kitty and place her on
It takes me a good half hour to pull all the pins out of my hair. I add them to my list of possessions and place them carefully in my trunk. When my hair is finally free, I shake it out and run the comb through it. Or, I should say, I TRY to run the comb through it. Mother would weep to see me right now. By the time I finally get all the tangles out, the sun hasset. I light the candle and melt the bottom so it stands upright on the small wooden table. I realize with a start that my hair reaches almost to my feet! Sir Kitty meows in delight and tries to climb it.
âOw! Stop that, Sir Kitty! It hurts!â
âDoes it now?â a voice asks, sounding amused. âWe wouldnât want you in any discomfort.â
I whirl around and find the witch standing on the rug in the center of the room.
âWhere did ⦠how did ⦠where ââ I canât seem to get the words out. Sir Kitty burrows under my hair and starts to quiver.
âIt is of no importance to you where I came from,â she says, taking a step toward me.
I open my mouth to beg to differ, but one look from her and I close it. She sets a plate of steaming food on the table next to my candle. I donât want to take my eyes off her, but I canât stop ogling the roast pig with a side of peas and carrots. The tea in the copper mug looks crisp and refreshing. But I cannot let myself be distracted! I put my hands on my hips and try to look fierce.
âNow look here, witch,â I say in my most imposing voice â which, letâs face it, isnât very imposing at all. âMy parents will be here any minute. You might as well let meout of here right now or ⦠or ⦠you will face the hangmanâs noose for sure!â I stamp my foot for emphasis.
For a moment, she doesnât say anything; she just looks at me, surprised. I must have scared her into realizing what she did was very wrong. I begin to fantasize about what I shall do first thing when I get home. Well, I shall bathe, of course, and eat the almond birthday pie that I never got a chance to enjoy. And after that, Iâll â
Suddenly the witch starts laughing. She laughs so hard, she actually clutches her belly. Then she throws back her head and guffaws some more. Finally she stops, wipes some tears from her craggy face, and says, âAh, foolish girl. Foolish Rapunzel, the name I gave you twelve short years ago. Your parents are not looking for you, and no one will ever find you here. We are far, far away from any village or riding path. Quite well hidden. The only visitors you shall have are the birds and the flies. And me, of course. You may call me Mother Gothel. You and I will become great friends.â
Then she laughs again and I recoil, almost knocking over the table with all the food on it. What does she mean that she named me? Mother told me my godmother named me Rapunzel after her favorite food. Wait a moment! I recall the schoolmaster taught us that rapunzel was another name for rampion! Will I NEVER be free of that herb? I am startingto realize that Mother may have lied about a thing or two. If I ever get out of here, she and I are going to have some words.
I wish the witch would leave already so I might dine in peace. Instead, she reaches out and touches my hair. I want to scream, but I will not give her the satisfaction of showing my fright. She strokes it softly. âI see you have let down your hair, child. It has grown since your birth, yes?â She curls her fist around a section, then lets it slip through her fingers.
âYes, well, Mother was supposed to cut it on my birthday, but I was rudely and savagely kidnapped before she had a chance.â
The witch raises one eyebrow, and half of her mouth twitches. As a result, she looks half amused and half furious. She orders me to stand facing the window like an obedient child. I start to protest, but her eyes darken. I pick up Sir Kitty and place her on
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