Some time ago I complained heartily about the fault lines running thickly through the story of Rumpelstiltskin. Remember?
“If anyone can hand me a better version that actually makes sense of the key elements in the story, be it a paragraph or a page, I will publish it here. Put on your thinking cap; ask your children for solutions; dig out your reference books. Serious, satirical, or sappy—anything would be better than the above. I’m grading for logic, not polish. Best version gets a prize, and I’m not joking.”
Incidentally, a Shari Zook version is not forthcoming. I had fun trying. I wrote a Memphis version in which the King turned out to be Elvis; but it just didn’t work. My husband told me so, and he is a) prone to overrate my work, not underrate it and b) never wrong. So that version called in sick and will not be showing…
But I’m happy to announce that I had three other takers! I’m linking to their versions below. Some snowy afternoon, curl up with hot chocolate and enjoy them all. Then cast a vote, or tell me which parts of the rewrites were especially fun.
Rumpelstiltskin Over Easy, by Regan Zook
- This succinct version was written by my 7-year-old son. Paragraph breaks were added for readability; original spelling and punctuation have been preserved. The moral of the story is: Problems? What problems? There’s always a way out somewhere. Includes original artwork.
Rumpelstiltskin – An Alternative Ending, by Ryan Zook
- Short, ironic, and political, this version finds its own solution to the problem. Meet Jenny, a savvy young woman who forms surprising alliances.
Rumpelstiltskin Re-Imagined, by Amy Smucker
- Romantic, bittersweet, and almost modern, this version takes its time to develop a storyline that actually makes sense. Meet Annie, a young woman working hard to pay off her father’s debt—and Will and Andrew: the two young men who fall in love with her.
Many thanks to the participants for their courage and inspiration! No way I could pick a “best” version, so everyone gets a prize.
Don’t you wish you had joined the fun? That’s okay, next time you’ll be braver…
Right?
I am just so proud. And she never breathed a word to me. But I KNEW she had it in her!
I loved Regan’s easy way out, Ryan’s twist, and Amy’s well-done story!! Cheers!
All three are great stories. Each in their own stage of life and writing abilities! Wow I’m glad I didn’t wait for a snowy afternoon and hot chocolate!
Finally allowed myself a few minutes to come and read these stories. I wasn’t disappointed!
Gina
Oh, I loved these stories! Your son’s version made me giggle!