Rumpelstiltskin is a character in a fairy tale of the same name that originated in Germany. The tale was collected by the Brothers Grimm, who first published it in the 1812 edition of Children's and Household Tales.
It tells the story of a little man who helps an imprisoned girl spin straw into gold. As payment, he demands her first born child, unless she can guess his name.
References
- Kermit the Frog played a version of the character called Rumple Wrinkle Shrinkel Stretchelstiltzkin.
- Gonzo played the character in Muppet Classic Theater.
- On Sesame Street, the character is known as Bruce Rumpelstiltskin.