REMEMBER? IT WILL COME TO YOU ...

Another exciting challenge for today. The letter R conjures up so many words. What will today's post reveal? You must read and find out. Today's is a bit longer so I hope you enjoy it. 


I just would like to welcome and say a quick hi, to my new friends who joined my blog family this week. They are: Sue, Marjorie, Whitney, Bob, Josh, Vanessa, Marsha, Grandpa, L. G., Heather, Hilary, Melissa, Monti, and Joanna. I can't wait to get to know all of you better.

Sweat pours down a young maiden’s face with each turn of the spinning wheel. She wipes a bead of sweat trickling down her forehead. “This is impossible. My father and his big mouth!” A tear caresses her cheek as it slides down her delicate features.

Late into the night, a funny looking gnome appears before her wearing an impish grin. She jumps back, landing on the stone floor covered in straw. “W-who o-or w-what are you sir?” she asked in higher octave than her normal voice.

Still grinning, the creature, no higher than her knee speaks in a gravely voice. “I am here to help you fair maiden.” He smiles, revealing chipped yellow teeth.

“No one can help me. My task is impossible to achieve,” she said, tears streaming down her pale skin.

“I am capable of anything, Miss. Your necklace for payment, and I will do as you ask.”

Wide eyes stare in disbelief at the horrid creature. “Very well. If you can spin all this straw into gold, I will give you my mother’s necklace. It means everything to me, but my life is more important.”

With nibble fingers he spins the wheel creating gold with each new strand of straw. Her jaw drops and fiery light enters her eyes. “But how?”

Not responding, the gnome continues to spin the wheel at rapid speed and fills the room with gold before daybreak. She hands over the necklace to him and he disappears.

The king visits the maiden and is thrilled at the sight of a room full of gold. He extends his arm and escorts her into another room filled with straw. A moment later, a servant places the spinning wheel and stool next to her. 

“You live for today, my dear. You know what to do.” He exits and locks the door. 

Hours upon hours, she calls out to the magical creature until her voice is hoarse. At midnight a rustling of straw captures her attention. “It’s you noble sir. You have heard my cries.”

“Alas, but I should need payment.” His eyes darted to her hand. “The ring you wear on you left hand whilst do.”

“This treasure is all I have left from my dearly departed mother.” 

“No concern of mine.” He extends his hand and wiggles his gnarled fingers. 

Trembling, she slips the ring off and hands it to him. He pockets it and sits at the wheel, beginning his work. Once more, by daybreak the room is spilling over with glistening gold. He disappears with a knock on the door. Once again, the king beams and escorts her to another straw filled room.

With no other treasure for payment, she collapses and sobs into pungent straw. At midnight the gnome appears. Without a word he begins his work. As the last stand of gold hits the floor, he turns to her. He stares with mischievous black eyes.

“I have nothing left,” she said in a choked voice.

“Your first born will be mine.” He snaps his fingers and is gone.

The king arrives, opens the locked door. Eyes bright, he exclaims, “You, fair maiden shall be my bride.”

Nine months later, the queen gives birth to a bouncing baby girl. At midnight the gnome returns demanding payment.

“Please, I’ll give you all the treasures of the kingdom if you renounce your claim,” she pleads.

He refuses. 

“You must! I’ll do anything?”

With a sinister gleam in his eye, he speaks. “Guess my name. You have three days. I shall return to you each midnight for your answer. If by the third day you guess wrong, she is mine!” 

At the stroke of each midnight there he was. The queen guesses incorrectly for two nights.

On the third day a scout appears before her. “I have found the gnomes dwelling sire. In his rapturous dance of glee, he chorused his name.”

“Yes,” the queen whispers. “Tell me, please.”

“Rumplestiltskin, your highness.”

“Rumplestiltskin ... I have you now."