Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

One winter night, Rump leaves Yonder without telling his aunts goodbye. As he trudges through the snowy woods, he composes a farewell poem that begins, “Home is a place with three dear aunts” (203). He resolves to live alone in a cave in the remote mountains beyond Beyond and herd goats. On the road, Rump hears the miller’s sons, Frederick and Bruno. He tries to hide, but a nest of pixies attacks him, leaving him covered in swollen bites. The miller’s sons capture Rump. Rump feels a little sorry for Bruno because his brother bosses him around, but his sympathy is curtailed by Bruno’s cruelty: “I didn’t think meanness was ever in anyone’s destiny. Meanness was a choice” (208). While the brothers sleep, Rump’s swelling reduces, allowing him to escape his bonds. Just as he’s about to make his escape, a gnome loudly announces the birth of the king and queen’s son. The curse compels Rump to race toward The Kingdom “to collect on [his] worst bargain ever” (210).

Bruno and Frederick recapture Rump, but it makes little difference because the rumpel forces him to go to the castle anyway. Opal weeps and pleads with Rump, but the magic forces her to hand over her son, Archie, just as it compels Rump to take the baby.