The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Once upon a time, in the small town of Hamelin, the townspeople faced a terrible problem. The town had become overrun by rats. They scurried through the streets, gnawed at food stores, and even invaded homes. No one could escape the filthy, disease-carrying creatures. Desperate for a solution, the townspeople gathered at the town hall to seek help from the mayor.

Townspeople: "We cannot live like this anymore! These rats are everywhere!"

Mayor: "We need to find a way to get rid of them, or Hamelin will be ruined!"

Just as they were discussing the matter, a stranger appeared at the door. He was tall and thin, wearing a bright, multicolored coat, and he carried a pipe with him.

Pied Piper: "I can rid your town of rats, but I will require a generous reward—one thousand gold coins."

The mayor, eager to be free of the rats, agreed without hesitation.

Mayor: "If you can rid Hamelin of this plague, we will pay you the gold!"

With a confident smile, the Pied Piper stepped outside into the town square. He raised his pipe to his lips and began to play a strange, enchanting melody. As the music filled the air, something magical began to happen. One by one, the rats emerged from every corner of the town, mesmerized by the sound. They followed the Pied Piper as he walked through the streets, leading them to the riverbank. Without hesitation, the rats plunged into the water and were swept away by the current, never to return.

The townspeople rejoiced. Their town was finally free of rats!

Townspeople: "We are saved! The rats are gone!"

The Pied Piper returned to the mayor, expecting his payment.

Pied Piper: "I have done as promised. Now, I will take my reward."

But the mayor, greedy and ungrateful, refused to pay the full amount.

Mayor: "One thousand gold coins? That’s far too much for simply playing a tune! I'll give you fifty coins, and not a penny more."

The Pied Piper’s face darkened with anger.

Pied Piper: "You promised me one thousand gold coins. If you do not keep your word, you will regret it."

The mayor laughed dismissively, ignoring the Piper’s warning.

Mayor: "Take your fifty coins and be happy we’re giving you anything at all!"

Betrayed and furious, the Pied Piper left the town, but not before casting one last glance at Hamelin.

Pied Piper: "You will pay for your greed."

The very next day, as the townspeople went about their lives, the Pied Piper returned. This time, he played a different tune—an eerie, haunting melody. But this time, it wasn’t the rats that followed him. It was the children of Hamelin. One by one, the children left their homes, enchanted by the Piper’s music. They followed him out of the town, across the hills, and into a dark, mysterious cave. Once the last child had entered, the cave sealed shut.

When the townspeople realized what had happened, it was too late. Their children were gone. The town fell into despair, and the mayor, filled with guilt, begged the Pied Piper to return and bring the children back. But the Piper and the children were never seen again.

From that day on, Hamelin was a quiet and sorrowful place, a town that had learned a harsh lesson: never break a promise, for it may cost you dearly.