The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a classic folk tale, rooted in German legend and popularized by the Brothers Grimm and Robert Browning’s poem. It tells a cautionary tale of promises made and broken, and the extraordinary consequences that follow. Enjoy the reading little star.
In the quaint town of Hamelin, graced with cobblestone streets and snuggled by the gentle River Weser, an unusual predicament befell the peaceful populace: a plague of rats.
These were no ordinary rodents; they descended in vast numbers, spoiling provisions and causing relentless destruction.
Amid the townsfolk’s mounting despair, a stranger arrived, his presence marked by a coat of many colors that shimmered in the sunlight.
Approaching the mayor, he offered a solution to their rodent quandary. “I am known as the Pied Piper,” he declared, “and for a thousand gold coins, I shall cleanse your town of this infestation.”
Driven by desperation, the mayor hastily agreed, sealing the pact. With a flute in hand, the Pied Piper played a melody so mesmerizing that the rats, captivated, followed him from their hideouts, forming a procession that trailed him out of Hamelin and into the Weser River, where they met their watery demise.
The townsfolk’s relief was palpable, their streets finally free from the scourge. Yet, when the Piper sought his dues, the mayor’s heart grew cold. “A thousand gold coins for a mere tune? Absurd! Fifty should suffice,” he retorted, grossly underestimating the Piper’s resolve.
A storm seemed to gather in the Piper’s gaze as he solemnly warned, “A promise made is a promise to be kept.” But his caution was met with scoffs and laughter.
The following dawn, a different tune echoed through Hamelin. Not for rats, but a melody that enchanted the hearts of children. Drawn as if by magic, they followed the Piper, who led them to a hidden cave in the mountainside. As the last child entered, the cave closed, sealing away Hamelin’s future.
Frantic, the mayor cried out, “Return our children, Piper! Whatever price you ask, we shall pay!” But silence was his only reply; the Piper had vanished, and with him, the children of Hamelin.
All but one, a young boy with a limp, too slow to keep up, returned. Through tears, he recounted the Piper’s parting words, “Remember, a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the Piper will claim what is due.”
In the aftermath, Hamelin was shrouded in grief. The mayor’s remorse led to his resignation, and the townsfolk, now united in their sorrow, erected a monument by the river in memory of their lost children and the harsh lesson of integrity they learned too late.
They vowed to honor their word and remember the Piper’s lesson, not just in gold, but in the value of trust and promise.
Also Read: Robin Hood Short Story – The Swineherd Fairy Tale
Moral of The Story
The Pied Piper of Hamelin serves as a timeless lesson on the importance of keeping one’s word and the dire consequences of deceit. Through the dialogue and actions of its characters, the story teaches children about the values of honesty, and integrity, and the repercussions of breaking trust.