Rumplestiltskin:
What Really Happened
I know you have heard my tale before, but I'm here
to set the record straight. My name is Rumplestiltskin. All that
happened in my story is mostly true. But there was no malicious
intent. That's where my point of view differs.
I never had a child of my own. So when I heard that
young girl crying about her imprisonment, I knew that was my chance.
The first two times I took her payments of jewelry for spinning straw
into gold. But when she had nothing else to offer, that was my
chance. Imagine my surprise
When I came to collect I knew she would never guess
what my name was. So I posed that riddle to her. "I will give you
three days grace, and if during that time you tell me my name, you
shall keep your child," I told her.
I came the first day. As I thought, she couldn't
guess it. I left with high hopes. I came back the next day, again
she had no clue. But this time I saw the despair on her face. I had
to give up my claim on that child. But the only way I could do that
and save face was if she guessed my name.
So I tracked down that dolt of a messenger. When I
found the route he was taking, I devised the plan for that buffoon to
find out my name. When he came to where I was, I started flailing
and yelling like I was drunk. "Merrily the feast I'll make.
Today I'll brew, tomorrow bake; merrily I'll dance and sing, for
the next day will a stranger bring. Little does my lady dram,
Rumplestiltskin is my name," I sang.
Now when I came on day three, she guessed my name.
Of course I had to act the part. I huffed, I flailed, and I stomped.
And then I walked out, never to come back again.
So now you know the truth.
When you read the tale by the Brothers Grimm, maybe you will think
twice before labeling me a villain.
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