Rapunzel (A Reader's Theater Script-Story)

Ready to let down your hair? You may think you know the story of Rapunzel from Disney’s Tangled, but the original fairy tale is sprouting with forbidden love, the wiles of a wicked witch, and plenty of...vegetables? It all begins when Rapunzel’s peasant parents, overcome by cravings, trespass into a witch’s garden and swipe some lettuce—yes, lettuce! What follows is a tangled tale of plot twists, towering obstacles, and a whole produce aisle’s worth of puns. True to our “Grimm with a grin” approach this version presents the accurate events of the original fairy tale told with a wry sense of humor. Prepare for “Once upon a thyme” with Rapunzel!

This 11-page download includes the following:

• 9-page Reader’s Theater script-story of “Rapunzel”
• 2-page teacher guide
• “Grimm vs. Disney” activity, where students compare the original fairy tale to Disney’s Tangled

Did you know?

• Rapunzel’s name is another name for a lettuce-like plant.
• Mother Gothel's name has a secret meaning, too. Find out more in the teacher guide!
• The story is much darker than you might realize.
• The Brothers Grimm had to tone down some of the story’s events to make them kid-friendly. Find out more in the teacher guide!
• Rapunzel has a syndrome named after her, where people eat their own hair! Find out more in the teacher guide.
• You can fit a whole turnip truck full of vegetable puns into a single script!

This story teaches:

• Idioms
• Puns
• The theme of independence