Well, Mother, theres something I want to tell you, Rapunzel said cautiously. Mother Gothel started to ramble1 about their earlier argument, telling Rapunzel that she was wrong and Mother Gothel was right. But Rapunzel remained focused.
Okay, she said. Ive been thinking a lot about what you said earlier, and
I hope youre not still talking about the stars, Mother Gothel said impatiently.
Floating lights, Rapunzel said quickly, and yes ... Im leading up to that, but
Because I really thought we dropped the issue, sweetheart.
No, Mother, Rapunzel said. She needed to say that she had captured a ruffian all by herself! Im just saying, you think Im not strong enough to handle myself out there, but
Mother Gothel laughed. Oh, darling, I know youre not strong enough to handle yourself out there.
But if youd just listen ..., Rapunzel said, not wanting to quarrel with her, but definitely wanting her to sTOP talking and pay attention.
Rapunzel, were done talking about this, Mother Gothel snapped.
Trust me, Rapunzel said, determined2 to go on with what she had to say.
Rapunzel Mother Gothel was warning her.
I know what Im
Rapunzel! Mother Gothel shouted. ENOUGH WITH THE LIGHTS, RAPUNZEL! YOU ARE NOT LEAVING THIS TOWER! EVER!
Mother Gothel stood in the center of the room, her fists clenched3 at her sides. Rapunzel was dumbfounded. All at once she realized that it didnt matter what she did or said. There was no hope that Mother Gothel would ever let her go outside. Rapunzel would be trapped at the TOP of the tower for the rest of her life.
Rapunzel turned and looked longingly4 at her mural of lights, then at her closet. Inside that closet was proof that she could handle herself in the outside world. Inside that closet was a ruffian whom she had captured. By herself!
Inside that closet was the guide who would take her to see the sparkling lights. Mother Gothel would never have to know about it.
Rapunzel made her decision.
All I was going to say, Mother, is that I know what I want for my birthday now.
And what is that? Mother Gothel asked.
New paint, Rapunzel answered. The paint made from the white shells you once brought me.
Well, thats a very long trip, Rapunzel. Almost three days time, Mother Gothel said, shaking her head, trying to dissuade5 Rapunzel.
But this time, Rapunzel replied in kind. This time, everything was different. This time, Rapunzel knew what she wanted, and she knew exactly how to get it.
I just thought it was a better idea than the stars.
Mother Gothels face brightened a bit. This was what she wanted to hear. Youll be all right on your own?
I know Im safe as long as Im here, Rapunzel answered.
Mother Gothel sighed. She got up, packed some food for her journey, and kissed Rapunzel on the TOP of the head. All right, then. Ill be back in three days time, she said. I love you very much, dear.
I love you more! Rapunzel said brightly, and then began helping6 Mother Gothel down the tower.
I love you most, Mother Gothel called back.
Rapunzel watched from her window until Mother Gothel disappeared into the forest. Then, using her hair, she pulled the closet doors open.
The man in the closet was still unconscious. Quickly, Rapunzel sat him on a chair. Then she firmly tied him up with her hair.
Rapunzel leaped up to the rafters, held up her pan, and waited, ready for anything. Pascal jumped on the man and tried waking him by slapping his face with his little tail. No response. Pascal looked at Rapunzel. She urged him on. Pascal slapped his tail against the mans cheek again. Still no response.
Pascal thought for a moment. Then he slipped his long tongue into the mans ear.
Blll-AHH! Flynn awoke abruptly7. Pascals tongue was gross and and it tickled8!
Struggling is pointless, Rapunzel said firmly. Then she jumped down from the rafters and faced him.
好的，母亲，我有件事想对你说。乐佩小心地说。高瑟母亲开始絮叨早先的争论，告诉乐佩她错了，高瑟母亲才是对的。但乐佩仍然十分关注这件事。
好的，她说，我一直在想你之前所说的话
我期望你不是还要谈论星星。高瑟母亲不耐烦地说。
飘浮的天灯，乐佩急忙说，是的我正要说，不过
由于我真以为大家已经解决这个问题了，亲爱的。
不，母亲，乐佩说。她要说她靠自己抓住了一个痞子！我只不过说，你觉得我不够坚强，不可以在外面照顾好自己，但
高瑟母亲大笑起来。噢，亲爱的，我就了解你还不够坚强，不可以在外面照顾好自己。
但假如你想听我说乐佩说。她不想吵架，但确实期望她停止说话，集中注意力。
乐佩，这个问题大家已经谈完了。高瑟母亲厉声说。
相信我。乐佩说，决心继续说她需要说的话。
乐佩高瑟母亲告诫她。
我了解我
乐佩！高瑟母亲大喊，够了，不要再提天灯，乐佩！你离不开这座塔！永远！
高瑟母亲站在房间的中心。她拳头紧握，放在身体两侧。乐佩非常慌乱。她一下子意识到，无论她干什么或者怎么说都没用。高瑟母亲决不会让她出去。她的余生都将被困在 塔顶。
乐佩转过身来，渴望地看着她的那幅天灯壁画，然后又看了看她的衣柜。在那个柜子里， 有她可以在外面的世界里照顾好我们的证据。衣橱里面有一个被她俘虏的痞子。靠她自己俘虏的！
在那个衣柜里， 有一个可以带她去看那些亮闪闪的天灯的向导。高瑟母亲永远也不会了解此事。
乐佩做了决定。
母亲，我想说的就是目前我了解我想要什么过生日礼物了。
是什么？高瑟母亲问。
新颜料，乐佩回答，你有一次给我买的白色贝壳做的颜料。
嗯，那需要走非常长的路，乐佩。近三天的时间，高瑟母亲边说边摇头，试图劝阻她。
但这一次，乐佩用同样的方法回答。这次，所有都不同。这次，乐佩了解她想要什么，并了解怎么样得到。
我只不过觉得这是一个比星星更好的想法。
高瑟母亲的脸上露出了喜色。这正是她想听的。你自己待着没问题吧？
我了解只须我在这里，就是安全的。乐佩回答。
高瑟母亲叹了口气。她站了起来，打包了一些食物筹备在路上吃，亲吻了乐佩的头顶。那好吧。我会在三天之内回来， 她说，亲爱的，我很爱你。
我更爱你！乐佩开心地说，然后开始帮助高瑟母亲下塔。
我最爱你，高瑟母亲回话。
乐佩一直看着窗外，直到高瑟母亲消失在树林中。然后，她用头发把衣柜的门拉开。
衣柜里的人还在昏迷中。乐佩非常快地让他坐在椅子上，然后用头发把他紧紧地绑在椅子上。
乐佩跳向房椽，举起锅，等待着，做好了所有筹备。帕斯考跳到这名男子身上，试图用小尾巴拍打他的脸来唤醒他。没反应。帕斯考朝乐佩看了看。她催促他继续。帕斯考第三用尾巴拍打那男子的脸颊。还是没回话。
帕斯考想了一会儿，然后他把长舌头伸进那名男子的耳朵里。
啊！费林忽然醒来。帕斯考的舌头非常叫人厌恶它叫人发痒！
挣扎没用。乐佩坚定地说。这个时候她从椽木上跳下来，与他面对面。
