It was a warm summer's day, the birds were chirping happily and there was not a single cloud in sight. One may have felt entirely cheerful on a day such as this and be playing and frolicking outside from sun up to sun down. This of course was not the case for our fair maiden, Rapunzel. She was sad, thinking of being outside, of running around in the flower-filled meadows, chasing dragonflies, making friends and most of all, being rid of the stabbing longing she felt in her heart of hearts.
She wanted to be free of the horrid tower that held her prisoner and of Medecka, her self proclaimed guardian. She wanted to be loved, cared for and to have hugs and kisses form her parents. She never knew them, never had them tuck her in bed kissing her goodnight with a anticipation of a new day. But Medecka had told her when she was six years old that her parents had passed away and never wanted her in the first place.She could still remember the words that were spoken that evening.
"Medecka? Where are my parents? When will I see them?" six year old Rapunzel asked Medecka innocently.
Medecka looked into the beautiful eyes of the child and was reminded of what she had lost. She hated those eyes, those imploring eyes. Her anger drifted back into her heart.
She said coarsely, "They are dead. They never wanted you! Do not want more than you already have, you ungrateful child!"
Medecka roughly pushed Rapunzel aside and left.
Rapunzel was shocked to say the least. She stood where Medecka left her till her tiny legs gave out from under her. She hadn't shed a tear but as soon as she rested her cheek on the cold floor her body racked with sobs. The sky rumbled and the wind wailed telling Rapunzel she was not alone in her grief.
Rapunzel was pulled from her memories when a little bluebird came to sit at her window sill.
"Friend, do you realise how much my heart aches? I wish I could be like you. Free to fly." Rapunzel lamented to the little bluebird.
She started to sing a sad melody that expressed the thoughts of her soul. Her voice would have been lovely if not for the sadness it held.
The wind carried her voice through the Dryad Forest, over the Lake of Happy Days right to the ears of a young man of noble birth. He had been wandering through the kingdom in search of some amusement but had found none so far. He followed that sad, gentle voice which was slowly seeping its way into his heart. He felt he must find the owner of that sweet voice and take away all her sadness.
