"For," thought the king, "though she is only a miller's daughter, yet she can make me the richest king in the world."
Hardly had the door closed behind the king, when the little old man came hopping and skipping into the room.
Taking off his pointed cap, he said to the girl, "What will you give me if I will again spin this straw for you?"
"Ah!" said the maiden, "I have nothing more to give."
"Then you must make me a promise," said the little man. "You must promise to give me your first child, after you have become queen."
The poor girl saw no other way to save her life, so she gave her promise to the little man.
Then he sat down and began to spin.
Whir! whir! went the wheel. Faster and faster he spun.