The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Long ago in the small town of Hamelin in Germany, the rats were so big and many that they used to fight with the dogs and kill the cats. They even bit babies in their cradles. Parents ran to their children if they saw a rat near them. Life became very difficult for all. So the people marched to the Town Hall to complain to the mayor.
The next day the mayor held a meeting. A tall man in a coat and hat also came for the meeting. “His queer long coat from heel to head was half of yellow and half of red.”
He went up to the Mayor and said, “If you pay me a thousand pieces of gold, I can get your town rid of all the rats.” The mayor looked at the queer man in his striped outfit.
“We shall give you much more than that,” promised them mayor. The tall man took his pipe and, stepping into the street, began to play a tune. Out of the houses rushed the rats.
Rats of every size and colour appeared from all over the town. The Piper went towards the river. They followed the Piper to the river. All the rats dived into the water and were drowned. Only one managed to swim across to the other side. The people were so glad to be rid of thee rats that they made merry the whole night long. There was a grand party withe much singing and dancing.
The next day, soon after dawn, the Pied Piper went to the Town hall to collect his reward. But the Mayor refused to honour his bargain and said he could only pay a hundred pieces of gold.
The angry piper shouted, “You’ll crawl on your knee if you do not keep your promise.” Saying this, he put his pipe once more to his lips , and stepped into the street. The wonderful tune he played drew the children from their homes.
The happy children followed the piper up to a mountain side. Suddenly the side of the mount opened up and in walked the piper and all the children. Only one small boy was left behind.
All the parent rushed to the dishonest mayor. They shouted “You greedy man. Give us back our children.” They mayor sent his servants in every direction
Offering to pay the piper as much gold as he wanted. But too late! The children and the piper were never seen again. They had disappeared inside a hill.
Many years later, the boy on the crutches who was left behind would tell his story saying:
“The music stopped and I stood still And found myself outside the hill.” The people of Hamelin had learnt a lesson — one must always keep one’s word. Promises made must be kept!