In the year 1284, the town of Hamelin suffered a horrific infestation of rats that threatened to consume every scrap of grain. A stranger appeared, dressed in a coat of many-colored cloth, claiming to be a master rat-catcher. He promised the mayor he could rid the town of every rodent for a specific fee. The mayor greedily agreed. The stranger took out a wooden pipe and played a haunting melody. As he walked through the streets, every rat emerged from the houses and followed him into the River Weser, where they all drowned. However, once the rats were gone, the townspeople refused to pay the promised sum, mocking the piper. He left in a silent rage, only to return on the feast of Saints John and Paul. Dressed as a hunter, he played a new, even more enchanting tune. This time, it was not rats that followed him, but the children of Hamelin. One hundred and thirty boys and girls followed his music out of the town gates and into a cavern in the mountainside. The mountain sealed shut behind them, and they were never seen again. Only three children remained: one who was lame and couldn't keep up, one who was deaf and couldn't hear the music, and one who was blind and lost his way—left behind to tell the grieving parents where their children had gone.
Always honor your promises and pay what is owed, for the cost of a broken vow may be far greater than the debt itself.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Rattenfanger?
The story serves as a stern warning against greed and the betrayal of trust. It illustrates that failing to keep a promise can result in a loss that no amount of gold can replace.
Is The Rattenfanger based on a true story?
Historians believe it is based on a real event from 1284 involving the mass disappearance of Hamelin's youth. Theories range from a tragic accident or plague to a massive migration of young people to colonize Eastern Europe.
Where does the story of the Pied Piper take place?
The legend is set in the town of Hameln (Hamelin) in Lower Saxony, Germany. To this day, the town maintains a law that no music may be played on the street where the children were last seen.
What does the name Rattenfanger mean?
Rattenfänger is a German word that literally translates to 'Rat-catcher.' It describes the Piper's original profession before he took his revenge on the town.
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Good night.
