

Long ago, in a tall tower, lived Rapunzel with her golden hair. She grew flowers and sang sweet songs every day. Only the sorceress visited her. Rapunzel longed to see the world beyond her tiny window. The forest outside looked magical and green. "Oh, how I wish I could run and play outside!" she sighed.

The sorceress would shout, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" Rapunzel would lower her long braid from the window. The sorceress climbed up, bringing food and a scowl. Rapunzel never saw anyone else. She wondered if anyone else was near. Her heart wished for a friend.

One bright morning, Rapunzel's singing drifted through the forest. Leo, a curious traveler with black hair, heard her lovely song. He tiptoed closer and saw the tower. "Who lives up there?" Leo whispered. He watched as the sorceress climbed up with Rapunzel's hair. When the sorceress left, Leo had an idea.

Leo called out, using the words he’d heard, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!" Surprised, Rapunzel peeked down and saw a kind face. She lowered her braid, and Leo climbed up carefully. "Hello, I’m Leo!" he said, smiling. Rapunzel smiled back, feeling hope. "You’re my very first friend," she whispered.

Rapunzel told Leo about her dream: to walk in the grass and plant a real garden. "I’ll help you," promised Leo. He brought her wildflowers from outside. "Look at these," he said, handing her bright petals. Rapunzel touched them gently. Together, they made plans for freedom.

Each day, Leo gathered sticks and rope from the forest. "We’ll build a ladder," he whispered. Rapunzel smiled as she watched from above. They hid the ladder under tall ferns near the tower. "Soon, you’ll be free," said Leo softly. Rapunzel’s hope grew brighter every day.

One evening, the sorceress discovered the ladder hidden below. "You silly girl!" she snapped angrily. She cut off Rapunzel’s golden braid. With a spell, she sent Rapunzel far away. "You will never see your friend again!" vowed the sorceress. Rapunzel found herself lost in the deep, green woods.

Leo hurried back to the tower and saw the missing braid. The sorceress tried to trick him, but Leo escaped her magic. "I must find Rapunzel!" he cried. Days passed as he searched the woods. He followed Rapunzel’s singing voice through the trees. Finally, he found her by a bright, rushing river.

Rapunzel was planting flowers by the riverbank, smiling in the sun. "Rapunzel!" Leo called joyfully. She ran to him, tears in her eyes. "You found me!" she laughed. They hugged and promised never to be apart again. Their dreams were finally coming true.

Together, Rapunzel and Leo built a cozy little cottage by the river. They planted a huge, colorful garden with sunflowers and daisies. Rapunzel danced barefoot in the soft grass every morning. Leo sang songs with her as they worked. Their laughter filled the air. And Rapunzel was never locked away again.