Rapunzel's Promise

"Be a good little girl," Mommy said, "and perhaps I'll let you go outside later."  So now, she sits, sits and waits for her mother to return home like the good little girl she promised to be.  The outside has always called to the blond haired girl, but Mommy had told her time and time again that it was too dangerous.  Now, with the chance of going outside, the young girl just sits quietly on her stool in front of the fireplace, anxiously awaiting her mother's return.

The young child was ecstatic when she saw her mother's curly black hair emerge in the doorway.  With large, childlike eyes, the girl looks at her mother and quietly asks, "Mommy, can I go outside now?"

Her mother looked disgusted at the very idea.  "Now, now, Rapunzel, you know you can't leave this tower.  I keep you here for your own safety.  It's far too dangerous outside."  The little girl sighs and returns to her stool, just sitting like she has done for so long.  Her mother approaches from behind and sits in a large armchair, holding a brush in one hand.  "One day Rapunzel, you'll see what I mean about the world being cruel and dangerous.  But for now, I'll keep you safe.  Now, will you let Mommy hear your beautiful voice?"

The young girl sighed, but obediently started into a song that Mommy had taught her when she could just begin to talk.  Mommy brushed the girl's golden hair to the tempo of the song the she sang, and when the young girl finished singing, Mommy seemed to be refreshed.  She even appeared younger in the eyes of the young girl.  

However, Mommy had to leave again.  She claimed she had forgotten something at the market, but the young girl knew otherwise.  The girl's birthday was the following day and she was sure that her mother was leaving to purchase gifts for her.  So, she kissed her mother goodbye and listened to her mother's promise.  "Be a good little girl," Mommy said, "and perhaps I'll let you go outside later."  So, the little girl goes to her stool in front of the fire and sits down.  She sits and waits for her mother's return, like the good little girl she promised to be.  

The young girl had heard the same promise many times, and each time the ending was the same: she couldn't go outside.  But, every time she heard the promise, something in the young girl forced her to sit and wait for her mother's return.  Maybe it was because she didn't want to disobey Mommy or maybe it was because she hoped that this time, the promise might not be broken and Rapunzel would finally be able to set foot outside.