a cute kid's campfire story

Once upon a time long ago lived a little girl named Rapunzel who had beautiful long golden locks.  Rapunzel loved to climb trees.  There was one special tree in the forest that she especially loved and she had built a treehouse way, way up into the tree.

One day, Rapunzel skipped into the forest and climbed up into her tall, tall tree.  She planned to spend the day playing in her treehouse.

Soon, the skies grew very dark.  When Rapunzel would have headed for home, the wind started howling against the treehouse and blew so strongly that it carried away the ladder that she had used to climb the tree with.  The lightening lit up the dark skies and she grew very scared!  She had heard about a little girl named Dorothy who had been carried away by the winds, and Rapunzel didn't want to end up like that!

Rapunzel leaned against the strongest wall of her treehouse, wishing that the storm would quickly end.  Suddenly, she heard something in the distance - a chattering, a chirping, a hoot, a bray, and a neigh and Rapunzel crept slowly to the opening of the treehouse and peered outside into the blinding wind, rain and lightening-filled sky.

"Please help us!" the animals cried.  "We will all wash away and drown, we are sure of it, unless you help!"

Rapunzel thought fast.  What could she do?  The ladder was gone because the wicked wind had ripped it away.  Another flash of lightening skipped across the black skies. She would have to think of something very quickly because she could see the water rising in the distance, coming up over the creek bed and creeping towards the stranded animals.

"My hair!" she thought.  And then she tumbled it down to the animals and they knew exactly what to do.  One by one they climbed her long beautiful hair and made it safely into the warm protection of the treehouse.  Together they huddled and stayed cozy for the long night ahead.

The next morning, the sun was shinning very brightly in the eastern sky.  Rapunzel's scalp was very sore from all the climbing the animal's had done during the storm to make their way up to safety.

All, except Horse & Donkey, were able to scamper down from the treehouse.  Owl then flew into town and the townspeople brought a giant trampoline for Horse & Donkey to jump on from the treehouse.  They jumped and bounced and bounced and bounced.

Finally, Horse & Donkey landed safely and everyone was very happy!