Rumpelstiltskin
Guess-my-name tale
Rumpelstiltskin is a malevolent dwarf in a German fairy tale who spins straw into gold for a miller's daughter, demanding her firstborn child as payment.
She can escape the bargain only by guessing his name.
The story, collected by the Brothers Grimm, gives the name its common use: a Rumpelstiltskin is someone whose power depends on secrecy, or whose schemes unravel when exposed.
Folklorist brothers' surname
- spinning wheelFiber-to-thread device
- queenMost powerful chess piece
- firstbornFirst child born
- guessing gameActivity requiring deduction from clues
true name · stomping · torn in two · imp · dwarf · bargain · secret · riddle
Grimm
Folklorist brothers' surname
- spinning wheelFiber-to-thread device
- queenMost powerful chess piece
- firstbornFirst child born
guessing game · true name · stomping · torn in two · imp · dwarf · bargain · secret · riddle · deal
true name
Authentic personal identifier
eavesdrop · revelation · power · unmasking · messenger · overheard · guessing · triumph
king
Male crowned ruler
- folklorefairy tales, fairytales, folktales, folk tales, folk tale
- childhood loretooth fairy, Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, boogeyman, monster under bed
- Fairy Tale CharactersCinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty
- Fairy Tale Creaturesfairy, witch, wizard, giant, dwarf
- fairy tale villainswicked stepmother, evil stepmother, witch, ogre, giant
- ShrekShrek, Fiona, Lord Farquaad, Puss in Boots, Prince Charming
Rumpelstiltskinfairy godmother
Magical benefactor figure
guardian angel · good fairy · Santa Claus · Blue Fairy · protective spirit