In "Rumpelstiltskin" a miller's careless boast that his clever daughter can "spin gold from straw" is forced by the king to make good on this claim. A little man arrives to help the miller's daughter in exchange for her firstborn child. When the daughter, who by now is the queen, gives birth to a child, the little man comes to collect. He agrees to release the queen from her promise if she can learn the imp's name. According to researchers at Durham...

In The Elves and the Shoemaker a poor shoemaker prepares his last piece of leather to work on before turning in for bed. In the morning, he is amazed to find the shoes already made. Selling these to a grateful customer, his financial obligations are met and he is able to buy more leather for two more pairs. When these are completed overnight in a similar fashion he stays awake to solve the mystery. Learning that a team of naked elves are responsible...

A bear, befriended by two sisters during the winter, returns one day to reward them royally for their kindness.