Hello,
My sweet listener.
Welcome to Storytime with Nana Jojo.
I'm so happy you're here.
I'm Nana Jojo,
And I have another fun story to share with you today.
But first,
Let's get cozy.
Grab your favorite stuffy.
Wrap up in your softest blanket.
And snuggle in nice and tight.
And now let's take some slow,
Deep breaths together.
When we breathe slowly,
Our bodies feel calm and relaxed.
So take a big breath in through your nose.
And breathe out with a happy sigh like this.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Let's do that again.
Big breath in.
And breathe out.
Sigh.
One more time.
Big breath in.
And breathe out.
Super duper job.
Do you feel nice and relaxed?
Yay,
I do too!
Okay,
My sweet little one,
Come snuggling close.
This is the story of Rapunzel.
It's a story about the strongest magic of all.
The power of love.
Kindness,
And the courage to follow your heart.
It's filled with the most wonderful discovery that sometimes the greatest adventures begin when we choose to help others.
Are you ready?
Okay,
Let's begin!
Once upon a time,
There lived a kind couple who loved each other very,
Very much.
They had been hoping and wishing for a baby to fill their cozy little cottage with laughter and joy.
Their cottage sat next to the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine.
It was filled with pretty flowers and delicious vegetables.
But this wasn't just any ordinary garden.
The garden belonged to a lonely woman who had forgotten how to share.
And had forgotten how to be kind to others.
The people in the village called her a witch.
But really,
She was just someone who had been alone for so long that she had forgotten how wonderful it felt to have friends.
One day,
The wife looked over the fence into the garden and saw the most beautiful leafy green vegetables called Rapunzel.
They looked so fresh and so delicious.
And she began to want them more than anything in the world.
Oh,
My dear husband,
She said,
I'm going to have our baby soon,
And I would love nothing more than to taste some of that beautiful Rapunzel growing in that garden next door.
Her husband loved her so much,
So he climbed over the fence and he picked some Rapunzel for her.
The Rapunzel was even more delicious than they had imagined.
And it made the wife feel strong and healthy.
But when the husband went back for more Rapunzel the next day,
He was surprised by the garden's owner.
Who dares to take my vegetables?
Called a voice from behind the roses.
The husband looked around.
There stood a woman with wild gray hair and clothes covered in garden dirt.
I'm so sorry,
" said the husband kindly.
My wife is expecting our first baby,
And she was craving your beautiful Rapunzel.
I'm so sorry.
I should have asked permission first.
The woman,
Whose name was Dame Gothel,
Looked at this honest man who was being so polite and apologetic.
It had been so long since anyone had spoken to her with such kindness that she felt something warm stir in her heart.
Well,
Said Dame Gothel,
Trying to sound serious,
But really she was curious about this kind couple.
Since you are honest with me,
Let's make a deal.
Oh,
Thank you,
" said the husband gratefully.
What would you like in return?
Dame Gothel thought for a moment.
She had been so lonely for so many years,
Watching families through her window and wishing she had someone to care for.
When your baby is born,
She said,
I would like to help raise the child.
I promise to love and care for your little one as if they were my own.
The husband felt a little worried about this strange request.
But Dame Gothel's eyes looked more lonely than scary.
We could share the care of our child,
" he said thoughtfully.
You could be like a grandmother.
You could visit and help us.
Dame Gothel's heart leapt with joy at the thought of finally having a family of her own.
Soon,
The most beautiful baby girl was born,
With hair as golden as sunshine and eyes as bright as the morning stars.
Her parents named her Rapunzel after the vegetable that had brought their families together.
Dame Gothel came to visit every day.
And at first she was wonderfully helpful and so kind.
She rocked baby Rapunzel to sleep.
She sang her lullabies and she helped Rapunzel's parents with all the things new babies need.
But as Rapunzel grew into a toddler with the most beautiful long golden hair,
Dame Gothel began to hold on a little too tight.
She had been alone for so long that she was afraid of losing this precious child she had grown to love.
When Rapunzel was about five years old,
Dame Gothel made a choice.
But it came from a scared feeling inside her,
Not a loving one.
Dame Gothel built a tall tower deep in the forest with beautiful rooms and everything a little girl could ever need.
Rapunzel must be protected from the dangerous world.
Dame Gothel told herself.
Though really she was just afraid of being lonely again.
One day,
While Rapunzel's parents were away,
Dame Gothel took Rapunzel to live in the tower.
This will keep you safe,
My dear,
" she told Rapunzel,
Though her heart felt heavy about separating Rapunzel from her real parents.
The tower was comfortable with soft beds,
Plenty of food,
And plenty of toys to play with.
But it had no stairs and only one window high at the top.
As Rapunzel grew up in the tower.
Her hair grew longer and shinier than anyone had ever seen.
It was so long and strong that Dame Gothel would call up to her.
Rapunzel,
Rapunzel,
Let down your golden hair.
And Dame Gothel used it to climb up to visit Rapunzel.
Dame Gothel truly did love Rapunzel and she took good care of her.
She taught her how to read,
How to sing,
And how to paint beautiful pictures.
But Rapunzel often felt lonely,
And she wondered about the world beyond her tower window below.
She watched the birds flying through the sky,
And she wondered what it would be like to explore the forest below.
Dame Gothel,
Rapunzel would ask,
When can I go outside and see the world?
The world is too dangerous for someone as precious as you,
" Dame Gothel said,
Though she was really just afraid of losing the only family she had ever known.
Even though Rapunzel lived in the tower,
She filled her days with beauty and joy.
She sang the most lovely songs that floated out across the forest,
Like music made of sunshine.
She painted pictures of all the things she dreamed of seeing.
Flowers,
Butterflies,
And people dancing in meadows.
And she took care of the little birds and squirrels who visited her window.
And she shared her bread and sang with them.
Rapunzel's heart was so full of love and kindness that even in the tower,
She found ways to spread joy to the world all around her.
One day,
A kind young prince was riding through the forest when he heard the most beautiful singing he had ever heard in his life.
He followed the sound until he came to the tower.
And there he saw Rapunzel at her window,
Her golden hair catching the sunlight like spun gold.
What a lovely song,
" he called up to her.
I'm Prince Adrienne,
And your singing has filled my heart with joy.
Rapunzel was surprised and she was so delighted to meet someone new.
Hello,
Prince Adrian.
I'm Rapunzel.
It's so wonderful to have someone to talk to.
They talked and talked,
Sharing stories and laughter,
And both felt like they had found a dear friend.
Every day,
Prince Adrian would come to visit Rapunzel at her tower.
He brought her books about the outside world and flowers from the meadows.
And he told her stories of all the beautiful places he had been.
Rapunzel shared her paintings,
Her songs,
And her dreams of exploring the world below her window.
I wish I could show you the butterfly garden,
Said Prince Adrian one day.
And the lake where swans dance on the water.
Oh,
I wish I could see them too,
Said Rapunzel.
But Dame Gothel says the world is too dangerous.
Prince Adrian thought about this.
Everyone deserves the chance to explore and to make their own choices,
He said gently.
Perhaps we could talk to Dame Gothel together.
When Dame Gothel came to visit that evening,
She was surprised to find Prince Adrian there.
At first,
She was frightened and angry.
How dare you come here?
Rapunzel is safe in this tower.
But Prince Adrian spoke to her with the same kindness that Rapunzel's father had shown her years ago.
Dame Gothel,
I see how much you love Rapunzel.
But don't you think she deserves to share her love and joy with the world too?
Rapunzel took Dame Gothel's hand gently in her own hand.
I love you so much and I'm grateful for all the care you've given me.
But I dream of seeing the world.
And I dream of meeting other people too.
Dame Gothel looked at Rapunzel's hopeful face and Prince Adrian's kind eyes,
And her heart began to soften.
Deep in her heart,
Dame Gothel knew that keeping Rapunzel locked away wasn't really love.
It was fear.
She remembered how lonely she had been before Rapunzel came into her life.
And she realized she didn't want Rapunzel to feel that same loneliness.
I was so afraid of being alone again,
Dame Gothel admitted,
Tears filling her eyes.
I thought if I kept you safe in this tower,
I would never lose you.
Rapunzel hugged Dame Gothel with all her heart.
You don't have to lose me.
Love doesn't disappear when people are free to explore.
It grows stronger.
Prince Adrian nodded kindly.
There's enough love for everyone who cares about Rapunzel.
You can still be part of her life without keeping her locked away.
Dame Gothel realized that Prince Adrian was right.
She had spent so many years afraid and alone that she had forgotten that real love means wanting what's best for someone,
Even if it means letting them be free.
Rapunzel,
She said softly,
I'm sorry I kept you locked away.
You deserve to see the world and to follow your dreams.
With a wave of her hand,
For Dame Gothel did know some magic,
A beautiful staircase appeared,
Spiraling down to the ground.
But how will I get back up to visit you?
" asked Dame Gothel.
Rapunzel laughed with joy.
We'll build a proper door and you can visit me wherever I am.
You'll always be part of my family.
When Rapunzel stepped out of the tower for the first time in many years,
She felt the soft grass under her feet and she smelled the sweet forest air.
Prince Adrian kept his promise and he showed her the butterfly garden where hundreds of colorful butterflies danced among the flowers.
They also visited the Swan Lake,
Where the graceful birds welcomed Rapunzel with gentle songs.
But the most wonderful moment came when Prince Adrian brought Rapunzel home to her parents,
Who had been searching for their beloved daughter all these years.
The reunion was filled with tears of joy,
Warm hugs,
And so much love that everyone's hearts felt like they might burst with happiness.
Dame Gothel was nervous about meeting Rapunzel's parents again,
But they welcomed her with open arms.
Thank you for taking care of our precious daughter,
Said Rapunzel's mother.
We can see how much you love her.
I'm sorry I took her away from you,
" said Dame Gothel.
I was so lonely and I made choices from fear instead of love.
We understand,
Said Rapunzel's father kindly.
But now we can all be a family together.
And that's exactly what happened.
Rapunzel married Prince Adrian in the most beautiful wedding,
Surrounded by all the people who loved her.
Rapunzel's parents,
Dame Gothel,
And all their friends celebrated together in the palace gardens.
Dame Gothel learned to make friends with people in the village and was never lonely again.
She even taught other children how to grow gardens of their own,
And she shared her knowledge instead of hiding it away.
Rapunzel became a beloved princess who used her gifts of song and art to bring joy to everyone in the kingdom.
And most importantly,
Rapunzel showed everyone that the strongest magic of all is love that sets people free.
The End.
And so,
My dear little listeners,
What did Rapunzel teach us today?
She showed us that real love means wanting good things for someone,
Even if it's hard to let them go.
And she showed us that families can come in many different forms.
And there's always room for more love.
As our storytime comes to an end,
I'd like you to imagine your own special tower.
Not one that keeps you locked away,
But one that's filled with all the love from everyone who cares about you.
Your family,
Your friends,
Your pets.
And even people you haven't met yet.
All their love creates a safe and warm place in your heart.
And from this tower of love,
You can explore the world knowing you're always supported and cherished.
And always remember,
Nana Jojo loves you so very much.
I'll be right here when you're ready for another story.
If you're not quite ready for sleep.
I hope you have the most wonderful rest of your day.
And if it is time to go to sleep now,
I'm wishing you the sweetest and happiest dreams.
Sleep tight,
My little love.
I'll see you again soon.
Good night.
