An aging father boasted bold
His daughter could spin straw to gold
A servant did the message bring
And told it all before the king
The king considered, then he bade
The servant to bring forth the maid
King told her that to save her skin
A room of straw to gold she'd spin
The frightened girl that night did cry
She thought that she would surely die
A small man came into the room
And asked the reason for her gloom
She told him what the king had asked
There was no way to do this task
“Oh ho,” the dwarf said to the girl
“I'll do it for that string of pearls.”
“A spin-spin-spin is what I'll do
Spin straw to gold the whole night through
And in the morning you will see
A room that's gold as it can be”
He did his work, the necklace took
Then left her with a curious look
The king came in, saw what was done
And asked for more straw to be spun
A larger room with straw he filled
“Spin gold,” he said, “or you'll be killed
She was so tired, and wanted sleep
But nothing could she do but weep.
And then again the small man came
And once again her fears did tame
“I'll spin the straw to gold for king
If you will give me then your ring.”
She did agree and he did spin
Until the night was wearing thin
A room of gold showed off his work
And now the ring became his perk
When morning came the king arrived
And with the gold he knew he'd thrive
She'd brought riches to his life
He thought that she should be his wife
And so the king an offer made
Unto the girl who'd been afraid
If one more time she'd fill a room
She'd be the bride and he'd be groom
A larger room he took her to
And left so she her thing could do
Again the hopeless task ahead
Caused streams of tears from her eyes shed
Just when her hopes were growing dim
The gnome appeared with cunning grin
“I'll do the work, what will you give
So in this kingdom you can live”
“I've nothing left to give to you
And that is why I am so blue”
“I'll tell you what a deal I'll make
Your firstborn son from you I'll take.”
She did not know if there would be
A newborn babe for her to see
So she agreed to give the child
For gold spun by this man so wild
He spun the gold all through the night
The room was filled by morning light
He told the maid he'd be around
When she with tiny babe was found
The king was rich with wealth untold
He wed the maid he thought spun gold
They lived in splendor for a while
Until the queen did have a child
And sure enough the dwarfish gnome
Did pay a visit to her home
He told the queen of his demand
To take the child for his command
Once more the queen did shed a tear
She begged he'd leave the poor child here
“There's just one way I'll play this game
In three days you must guess my name.”
The queen agreed and sent him out
Then made a list of names to spout
When he came back in one more day
She had so many names to say
Was it Michael, Tom, or Fred
Five hundred listed names she read
The dwarf just laughed to hear her guess
He knew the queen was in distress
“Tomorrow I'll come back again
And soon your list will have an end
You surely will not guess my name
And I will come the child to claim”
So then the queen did fret and frown
And then to all did ask around
And gathered names, a thousand strong
With these she thought she'd not go wrong
“Is Frank or William, George or Brett
The name you own, have I guessed yet”
She asked the dwarf upon next day
But he just laughed to hear her say
No, no, you're wrong, you haven't guessed
I know you've done your very best
You've one more day your names to try
And then the child shall go bye-bye
The queen was desperate, she sent all
Her servants out, both big and small
One went in the forest deep
And in the night he waked from sleep
He saw around a flashing fire
A dancing imp in green attire
And as he danced he sang a song
In boldened tones he sang out strong
“First I'll bake and then I'll brew
Then I'll take the queen's child too
I shall win this foolish game
For Rumpelstiltskin is my name”
The servant hastened to the queen
And told her all that he had seen
She brightened up and shone with joy
For now she knew she'd keep her boy
When day dawned then the man appeared
And anxiously he stroked his beard
“Today's the day your majesty
That you must guess what my name be”
So then her highness thought to tease
And guessed some names his pride to please
“I wonder if it's Jack or John
That is the name you've taken on.”
“Oh no, he laughed, not even close
I soon will bid you adios
Now you must give me your last guess
And then you shall be one child less”
“All right,” she said, “I've one last try
You're such a tiny wiry guy
Your frame is small and you're built thin
Your name must be Rumpelstiltskin.”
Then BAM he stomped into the ground
And screamed aloud a woeful sound
To free his foot he waved his staff
And then he tore himself in half
So now the queen with precious child
Lived safe and sound and often smiled
The wealth she had from dwarf-spun gold
Allowed her to grow very old.
