King Valentin and his queen desire to marry off their heir, the beautiful young prince Hubertus, and use a trick to determine which suitors are true princesses: they may not be able sleep without bruising on top of a single pea, even under a pile of bedding. Meanwhile prince Hubert has secretly lost his heart to goat-herd Maria, a ruffian farmer's step-daughter, who isn't supposed to marry ever. The queen finds out and decides to help her beloved son, using the magic of Rumplcimprcampr (Chzech for Rumpelstiltskin), who can help Maria by spinning gold from straw to buy the king's blessing.