Rumpelstiltskin

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s suspenseful but structured: challenge, bargain, solution. For bedtime, it works best with a steady voice and a reassuring close about honesty—big promises can trap us, but truth and help can set us free.

Story Synopsis

A miller tries to impress a king and tells a dangerous lie: his daughter can spin straw into gold. The greedy king demands proof and locks the young woman in a room piled with straw. “Spin it by morning,” he commands, “or face punishment.” She cannot do it, and fear overwhelms her. In her desperation, a strange little man appears. He offers help—for a price. The first night she gives him a necklace, and the straw becomes shining gold. The second night she gives him her ring, and again the straw turns to gold. The king is delighted and only grows greedier. On the third night he promises to marry her if she succeeds, and she is trapped between fear and hope. With nothing left to trade, she agrees to the little man’s final demand: her firstborn child someday. The magic works. She becomes queen. But when she has a baby, the little man returns to claim what was promised. The queen begs for mercy. He offers one last chance: if she can guess his name within three days, she may keep her child. She tries every name she knows. At last, a messenger overhears the little man singing his own name in the forest. The queen speaks it aloud, breaking the bargain. Rumpelstiltskin is a tense fairy tale with a clear warning: careless promises and greed can trap us. Read at bedtime for older kids, it works best with steady reassurance and a calm ending about honesty and wise choices.

Story Excerpt

Once there was a miller who was poor, but he had a daughter who was very beautiful. The miller loved her dearly, and he wished people would think well of him. One day the miller had to speak with the King. He felt small standing in the grand hall, and he blurted out a proud, foolish boast. “ I have a daughter who can spin straw into gold, ” he said. The King’s eyes brightened. “ That is an art which pleases me well, ” he replied. “ Bring her to my palace tomorrow. I will see what she can do. ” The next day the miller’s daughter was brought to the palace. The King led her into a room piled high with straw — straw in heaps and bundles, straw nearly up to her knees. In the corner stood a spinning wheel and a reel. “ Now set to work, ” said the King. “ By early morning, this straw must be spun into gold. ” His voice turned cold and heavy with command. “ If it is not done, you will not be allowed to stay. ” Then he locked the door and left her all alone. The poor girl sat down by the wheel. Her hands trembled. She knew how to spin wool…

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