The second day she began with all
the comical names she could hear of, BANDY-LEGS, HUNCHBACK, CROOK-SHANKS,
and so on; but the little gentleman still said to every one of them, ’Madam,
that is not my name.’
The third day one of the messengers
came back, and said, ’I have travelled two days without hearing of any other
names; but yesterday, as I was climbing a high hill, among the trees of the
forest where the fox and the hare bid each other good night, I saw a little
hut; and before the hut burnt a fire; and round about the fire a funny
little dwarf was dancing upon one leg, and singing:
’"Merrily the feast I’ll
make.
Today I’ll brew, tomorrow bake;
Merrily I’ll dance and sing,
For next day will a stranger bring.
Little does my lady dream
Rumpelstiltskin is my name!"’
When the queen heard this she
jumped for joy, and as soon as her little friend came she sat down upon her
throne, and called all her court round to enjoy the fun; and the nurse stood
by her side with the baby in her arms, as if it was quite ready to be given
up. Then the little man began to chuckle at the thought of having the poor
child, to take home with him to his hut in the woods; and he cried out,
’Now, lady, what is my name?’ ’Is it JOHN?’ asked she. ’No, madam!’ ’Is it
TOM?’ ’No, madam!’ ’Is it JEMMY?’ ’It is not.’ ’Can your name be
RUMPELSTILTSKIN?’ said the lady slyly. ’Some witch told you that!– some
witch told you that!’ cried the little man, and dashed his right foot in a
rage so deep into the floor, that he was forced to lay hold of it with both
hands to pull it out.
Then he made the best of his way
off, while the nurse laughed and the baby crowed; and all the court jeered
at him for having had so much trouble for nothing, and said, ’We wish you a
very good morning, and a merry feast, Mr RUMPLESTILTSKIN!’
