Rumpelstiltskin is one of the most fascinating folk heroes — he charms his readers and listeners alike with witless, perverse mystique. This lovely story comes from the great age of European fairy tales — from the Brothers Grimm. But where does Rumpelstiltskin come from? Let’s take a look at how this old story began, what it looked like and how it has stuck around.
The Origins of Rumpelstiltskin
Rumpelstiltskin — a German folktale, the best known of which starred in the Brothers Grimm array of fairy tales (1812). The German rendition is Rumpelstilzchen, which is an imp-like beast. Magical, dark, witty and all. It’s an old favourite.
Summary of the Story
First, the plot begins with a poor miller, who lies to his daughter that she can spin straw into gold to catch the eye of a king. This claim is so strange that the king takes the miller’s daughter to his castle. There she is shoved into a roomful of straw and commanded to spin it into gold by morning — or else.
Having trouble completing the task, the girl is approached by a small and odd little man who is willing to join her on the journey. In order to obtain this she must promise to give him something noteworthy. The first night she gives him her necklace; the second night her phone. On the third night, when she has exhausted her material goods, the strange man asks for her baby in exchange for his money.
The king marries her when he discovers she has “talents”. Along comes their first son and the fucking guy goes back for his reward. The queen goes mad and pleads with him for mercy. He tells her he’ll free her from the bargain if she can guess his name in three days.
Through clever trickery, the queen discovers his name is Rumpelstiltskin. When she informs him, the small man flies into rage andvanishes, not harming her or her child.
Themes and Lessons
And Rumpelstiltskin has lessons to impart:
- The Virtues of Money: Much of the drama is driven by a greedy king.
- THE HONESTY VALUE: The miller’s first lie catalyzes this drama, in which we witness what lying costs.
- Genius and Patience: It takes guts — and some creativity — to save King’s son.
Why Rumpelstiltskin Endures
Rumpelstiltskin has always been a widely-told tale because it’s about things we will all be: ambition, desperation and making good on your word. There’s something mysterious and magical about it too, which seems to resonate well with both kids and adults.
Rumpelstiltskin Fun Facts & Trivia
Other cultures have their versions, such as “Tom Tit Tot” in England, or “Whuppity Stoorie” in Scotland.
Adaptations: Movies, books, and TV shows have all created adaptations of this story because it truly is timeless.
Conclusion
Rumpelstiltskin is not a fairy tale, it’s a tale of human feelings, ethical quandaries and the power of humour. Its endurance is a testament to how stories from centuries past still delight modern audiences. This is a good time to go back if you are familiar with the story and discover more about this incredible legend.
