Rumpelstiltskin (3)

Rumpelstiltskin (3)

"Why are you crying ? " asked the little man when he appeared.
" You know that I will help you. "

" But I have nothing left to give you. " sobbed the poor girl.

" If you become queen, " the little man replied, " you can give me your first child. "

Now the miller's daughter did not really believe that the King would marry her, so she agreed.

The little man set to work.
Whirr ! WHirr ! WHirr !
Three times round went the spinning wheel as each reel was filled.

The next day, when he saw all the golden thread, the King was delighted.

The miller's daughter had brought him great riches, and she really was very beautiful.
So the King kept his promise and married her.

Everyone was thrilledーespecially the proud miller !

The new queen was very happy, and she fogot all about the strange little man.

Before long, she and the KIng had a beautiful baby.

Suddenly, late one night, the little man appeared in the Queen's bedroom.

" I have come for the child you promise me. " he said, grinning.

The Queen was horrified.
" Please don't take my baby, " she begged.
" Take all my gold and jewels instead ! "

" No, " said the little man. " In three nights' time, I shall take the child... unless you can discover my real name."

The desperate Queen sent messengers throughout the Kingdom to collect all the names they could find.

The following night, and the night after, she repeated all the name to little man.
He just laughed and laughed.

" That is not my name ! " he said, over and over.

(つづく　3/4)