Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) #1791a (1976) – Scenes from Rumpelstiltskin

Description

Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) #1791a (1976) – Scenes from Rumpelstiltskin

Sheet of 6: #1786-1791

“Rumpelstiltskin” is a well-known German fairy tale that was popularized by the Brothers Grimm. The story has been adapted and retold in various cultures and has become a classic in the world of folklore. Here’s a brief summary of the tale:

Summary of “Rumpelstiltskin”:

Once upon a time, there was a miller who boasted to the king that his daughter could spin straw into gold. Intrigued, the king brought the miller’s daughter to a room full of straw and demanded that she turn it into gold by morning, threatening her with death if she failed.

Alone and desperate in the room, the miller’s daughter had no idea how to accomplish this impossible task. Suddenly, a mysterious little man appeared and offered his help. He possessed the ability to spin straw into gold but demanded a steep price: the girl’s firstborn child.

Faced with no other choice, the miller’s daughter agreed, and the little man spun the straw into gold. The king, impressed, married the miller’s daughter, and she soon forgot about her promise.

When the queen gave birth to a child, the little man returned to claim his payment. The queen, distraught, begged him to reconsider. The little man, having a change of heart, gave her three chances to guess his name. If she succeeded, she could keep her child.

After two failed attempts, the queen discovered the little man’s name—Rumpelstiltskin—by chance. When he returned for the third time, she revealed his name, and he, furious and defeated, vanished, never to be seen again.

The queen and her child lived happily ever after, having outsmarted the tricky Rumpelstiltskin.

Moral of the Story:

The tale of Rumpelstiltskin explores themes of the consequences of making rash promises, the power of knowledge, and the importance of wit and resourcefulness. It remains a popular and enduring fairy tale with variations across different cultures.