Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. Ambition
Definition: A strong desire to achieve something, often related to success, power, or recognition.
Example: The miller had great ambition for his daughter’s future.
2. Boasted
Definition: To speak with excessive pride or self-satisfaction about one’s achievements or abilities.
Example: The miller boasted about his daughter’s remarkable talents.
3. Cunning
Definition: Cleverness and the ability to achieve one’s goals through craftiness and deceit.
Example: Rumpelstiltskin was known for his cunning and mysterious nature.
4. Enigmatic
Definition: Mysterious, puzzling, and difficult to understand or interpret.
Example: Rumpelstiltskin had an enigmatic aura that intrigued the miller.
5. Exaggerations
Definition: Statements or claims that go beyond what is reasonable or true, often intended to make something seem more impressive.
Example: The miller’s exaggerations about his daughter’s talents reached Rumpelstiltskin’s ears.
6. Desperation
Definition: A state of extreme hopelessness or despair, often arising from a dire situation.
Example: Amelia agreed to Rumpelstiltskin’s offer out of desperation to help her father.
7. Intrigued
Definition: To be fascinated, interested, or curious about something or someone.
Example: Rumpelstiltskin was intrigued by Amelia’s situation and her willingness to make a deal.
8. Elusive
Definition: Difficult to find, catch, or grasp; often used to describe something that is hard to pin down.
Example: Rumpelstiltskin’s true name remained elusive until the end of the story.
9. Revelry
Definition: Lively and noisy celebration, often accompanied by merrymaking and festivities.
Example: Rumpelstiltskin engaged in revelry, dancing and singing in his cottage.
10. Wit
Definition: The ability to think quickly and cleverly, often demonstrated through humor or intelligence.
Example: Amelia used her wit to outsmart Rumpelstiltskin by discovering his true name.
11. Clutches
Definition: A strong grip or hold, often used to describe being in someone’s power or control.
Example: Amelia broke free from the clutches of Rumpelstiltskin’s agreement.
12. Prosperity
Definition: The state of being successful, thriving, and experiencing financial or overall well-being.
Example: After defeating Rumpelstiltskin, Amelia and her son lived a life of happiness and prosperity.
Exercise 2: Story
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a poor miller. Filled with ambition, he often boasted about his daughter’s remarkable talents. One day, the miller’s boast reached the ears of the cunning and mysterious Rumpelstiltskin.
Intrigued by the miller’s claims, Rumpelstiltskin approached him and demanded to meet his daughter. The miller, fearful of the consequences of his exaggerations, agreed and introduced his daughter, Amelia, to the enigmatic stranger.
Rumpelstiltskin presented Amelia with a challenge. He told her that he could spin straw into gold, a feat that seemed impossible to accomplish. However, he offered his assistance in exchange for something precious from her. In her desperation to help her father, Amelia agreed, not fully understanding the weight of her decision.
Throughout the night, Rumpelstiltskin worked his magic, transforming straw into shimmering gold. The miller, overjoyed by this unexpected fortune, greedily demanded Amelia to return the next night and continue the task.
Alone in the room, Amelia, now locked in a seemingly impossible situation, desperately sought a solution. As she wept, a small voice echoed from the shadows. It was Rumpelstiltskin, offering his assistance once more, but this time at a steeper price.
He declared that Amelia must give him her first-born child once it was born. Distressed and torn, Amelia had no choice but to agree, hoping that she would find a way to outsmart the cunning Rumpelstiltskin when the time came.
Years passed, and Amelia gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Rumpelstiltskin returned, ready to claim his prize. But Amelia, fueled by a mother’s love, pleaded with him to reconsider. Intrigued by her desperation, Rumpelstiltskin presented her with a challenge. If she could guess his true name within three days, she could keep her child.
Night and day, Amelia searched for the elusive name. On the third day, as she wandered through the forest, she stumbled upon a small cottage. Peering through the window, she saw Rumpelstiltskin dancing and singing, unaware of her presence. In his revelry, he revealed his true name—Rumpelstiltskin.
Filled with joy and determination, Amelia returned to the kingdom and confronted Rumpelstiltskin. She confidently uttered his true name, robbing him of his power and breaking their agreement. Defeated, Rumpelstiltskin vanished, never to be seen again.
Amelia, now free from the clutches of Rumpelstiltskin, embraced her son and rejoiced in their newfound freedom. The tale of Rumpelstiltskin serves as a reminder of the power of wit, courage, and a mother’s love. It teaches us the importance of facing challenges head-on, even in the face of seemingly impossible circumstances.
And so, Amelia and her son lived a life of happiness and prosperity, forever grateful for the lessons learned from their encounter with the mysterious Rumpelstiltskin.
Exercise 3: Questions
1. Why did the miller boast about his daughter’s talents, and how did this boast lead to the involvement of Rumpelstiltskin in the story?
2. What challenge did Rumpelstiltskin present to Amelia, and what did he offer in exchange for her assistance?
3. Describe the turning point in the story when Amelia makes a difficult decision regarding her first-born child. What was the consequence of this decision?
4. How did Amelia discover Rumpelstiltskin’s true name, and why was this knowledge crucial to the story’s resolution?
5. What are the central themes and lessons conveyed in the story of “Rumpelstiltskin,” particularly regarding wit, courage, and a mother’s love?
Exercise 4: Discussion
- Who are the main characters?
- What is the moral of the story?
- Do you have a similar story in your culture? How is it the same? How is it different?
- What did you like or dislike about the story?
