Chestertown Central School - Panther Yearbook (Chestertown, NY)

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Prologue Variations on a theme by Grimm Rumplestilskin There once was a lumberman who brought his daughter to Mr. Brinkman claiming that she could turn ignorance into wisdom. Mr. Brinkman was amazed and wanted to put the poor maiden through a test. He put her in Miss Murphy’s French room and told her to start working. The maiden was at a loss and could do nothing but weep. All of a sudden a little dwarf appeared and promised to do the job for her, if she would give him her graduation diploma in return, or guess his name. The dwarf had come to the maidens rescue, but she just couldn't give up her diploma after twelve years of hard work. The maiden was frantic and thought if she made a complete tour through the school she might possibly find some original names. She began in the French room (the senior home room) and looked in the home economics room, the music and teachers' rooms, plus all the class rooms. How much fun, she thought, it must be to stop for a snack in the homemaking room, gossip with friends between classes, and send spit balls flying through the air in study hall. Next, she went downstairs, looking in all the class rooms, admiring the nice displays of drawings and cutouts. Into the gym she glanced, where many a basketball game has taken place, along with classes, movies, plays and pommencements. And now to the industrial arts room - Oh! look at all those instruments and gadgets! But let's not stop here. She must see the office, where Mr. and Mrs. Brinkman do so much of their work - and last but not least, the cafeteria. There, much to her regret, she saw the little dwarf dancing and singing. He must have had one of those good lunches to be so gay. However, the maiden did not share the same feelings and made certain the dwarf did not see her, for she still had no answer for him. But she was overjoyed when she heard him singing the following song: Today I bake; tomorrow I brew my beer the next day I will bring the maiden's diploma here. Ah, lucky 'tis that not a soul does know That Rumplestilskin is my name. Hoi Hoi Success at last I She had met the challenge.