Once there was a girl named Rapunzel.
Her family lived on a small farm.
Rapunzel loved to work in the garden.
She also loved to sing.
"Plant the seeds just so," Rapunzel sang.
"Watch the green beans grow!
Plant the seeds just so.
Watch the green beans grow!"
On this day Rapunzel turned ten.
Her birthday was usually a happy day.
But today Mama and Papa were acting strange.
"Why is Papa looking at the road?" Rapunzel thought.
"Someone is coming!" Papa cried.
"Rapunzel! Hide!"
"What? Why?" Rapunzel was confused.
"Quick, Rapunzel! Now!" Mama said.
Rapunzel crawled under a bush.
"Why do I have to hide?" she thought.
"This is so strange!"
Suddenly a bird flew into the bush.
Rapunzel smiled. "Would you like some seeds, bird?"
The bird hopped onto Rapunzel's hand.
It ate the seeds.
Mama was peering over the fence.
"Whew!" she said. "It was just a farmer.
He is going to the market."
Rapunzel popped up.
"I wish we could go to the market.
It would be fun to go to the city."
Papa shook his head. "The city is not safe."
Rapunzel frowned. "We never go anywhere.
We never meet anyone new."
Rapunzel looked from her father to her mother.
"What are you scared of?"
Papa did not answer.
Mama bit her lip. "She is ten years old today.
We must tell her."
"Tell me what?" Rapunzel asked.
Papa sighed. "Come with me."
Papa led Rapunzel to a small hill.
He bent down and grabbed a rock.
Rapunzel gasped.
"That's not a rock—it's a door handle!"
Papa opened the door.
Inside was a small room.
"I built this for you, Rapunzel," Papa said.
"You must hide here when the witch comes!"