Story Summary
Discover the classic Brothers Grimm tale of Rumpelstiltskin, where a miller's daughter must outsmart a mysterious creature to save her child from a dark bargain.
A poor miller, seeking to impress the King, boasted that his daughter could spin straw into gold. Greedy for wealth, the King locked the girl in a room full of straw, threatening her life if she did not perform the miracle by morning. As she wept, a mysterious little man appeared and offered to do the task in exchange for her necklace. The next night, he returned, spinning more gold for her ring. On the third night, having nothing left to give, the girl promised the man her firstborn child if she became Queen. The King, delighted by the gold, married her. A year later, when a child was born, the little man returned to claim his prize. Distraught, the Queen begged for mercy. He agreed to forfeit the child only if she could guess his name within three days. After two days of failed guesses, a messenger discovered the man dancing around a fire in the woods, singing: 'Today I bake, tomorrow brew, the next I’ll have the young Queen’s child. Ha! glad am I that no one knew that Rumpelstiltskin I am styled.' When the Queen spoke his name the next day, the man flew into such a rage that he stamped his foot into the ground and tore himself in two.
The Moral
Be careful of the promises you make in desperation, and remember that boasting and greed often lead to perilous consequences.
“Today I bake, tomorrow brew, the next I’ll have the young Queen’s child. Ha! glad am I that no one knew that Rumpelstiltskin I am styled.”
Fun Fact
The name 'Rumpelstiltskin' is derived from German words 'rumpeln' (to rattle) and 'stilt' (a limb), roughly translating to a rattling little man with short legs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Rumpelstiltskin?
The story warns against the dangers of boasting and greed. It also emphasizes that desperate promises carry heavy consequences that must eventually be faced or cleverly resolved.
How did the Queen find out Rumpelstiltskin's name?
A messenger sent by the Queen happened upon the little man in the forest. He overheard the creature singing a song that revealed his secret name while he danced around a fire.
Why did the Miller lie to the King?
The Miller lied out of a desire for status and importance. By boasting that his daughter possessed a magical skill, he hoped to gain favor with the King, regardless of the danger to his child.
What happens to Rumpelstiltskin at the end of the story?
In the Brothers Grimm version, he becomes so enraged that he stamps his right foot into the ground and, in his fury, grabs his left foot and tears himself in two.
Is Rumpelstiltskin an elf or a goblin?
He is generally described as a 'little man' or a mysterious humanoid creature. While often associated with imps or goblins in modern retellings, the original folklore simply portrays him as a magical being of the forest.
Who wrote the original story of Rumpelstiltskin?
The story was collected and published by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in their 1812 collection, 'Children's and Household Tales,' though the oral tradition is much older.
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