Day 19 of my 2023 drabble-a-day challenge! Here is today’s drabble…

Rampion

He stole vegetables from the garden - for his wife, who so longed for them - but the witch caught him. And when the baby was born, the witch claimed the child and named her Rampion after the vegetables her mother had craved.

When Rampion was twelve, the witch forced her into a tower, and bricked up the door. And called up to her:

"Rampion, let down your hair!"

And Rampion stared from the window, wild-eyed, and said "are you mental? hair just doesn't grow like that!"

The witch stared in confusion, and Rampion went back to jury-rigging a ladder from floorboards.

Did you know that (at least, according to Wikipedia) Campanula rapunculus - known as Rapunzel, and after which the fairy-tale princess is probably named - is also known as Rampion?

Possibly I am biased. I grew up hearing tales about Rapunzel, in her tower, with her long golden hair, and always thought she sounded… well, I don’t wish to victim-blame here, but I always thought she sounded a bit wet. I’m pretty sure that someone called Rampion would not stand for that nonsense. Rampion sounds like someone who would get shit done.

Apparently, (and again, according to Wikipedia, bless it, where would we be without it), rapunzel/rampion was grown “for its leaves, which were used like spinach, and its parsnip-like root, which was used like a radish”. As someone who loves radishes and hates parsnips, I have questions. Has anyone ever eaten campanula rapunculus?