The Pied Piper of Hamelin and the Unkept Pledge
Complete the classic legendary story:
Long ago, the prosperous German town of Hamelin suffered from a horrific infestation of rats. Tens of thousands of black and brown rodents invaded the streets, bit sleeping babies in cradles, devoured wheat silos, and made human life unbearable. The desperate townspeople threatened to depose the town mayor unless a solution was found...
Completed Story:
Just when despair had paralyzed the town council, a mysterious stranger stepped into the municipal hall. He was tall, thin, and wore a fantastical coat half of yellow and half of red. Holding a slender musical pipe, he proclaimed, "I am the Pied Piper. By means of a secret melody, I can charm all living creatures to follow me. If I rid your town of every rat, will you grant me one thousand gold guilders?" The ecstatic mayor pledged readily, "We shall gladly give you fifty thousand guilders if you rid us of this scourge!"
Stepping out onto the cobblestone streets, the Piper placed his pipe to his lips and began playing an enchanting, otherworldly tune. Instantly, a deafening scuffling arose from every house, cellar, and pantry. Rats by the millions poured out, mesmerized by the hypnotic music. The Piper marched purposefully toward the River Weser, and plunged the entire rodent horde into the turbulent waters, drowning them all.
Returning to the town hall, the Piper asked for his promised thousand guilders. But seeing the danger gone, the greedy mayor sneered, "The rats are dead and cannot return! Here are fifty coins; take them or leave empty-handed."
The Piper’s eyes flashed with righteous wrath. "You shall regret breaking your solemn vow," he whispered. Stepping outside, he played a second tune, softer and far sweeter than before. This time, every child in Hamelin between the ages of four and fourteen came running out laughing and dancing. Followed by the joyous youngsters, the Piper led them into a cavern in Koppelberg Mountain, which sealed behind them forever. Hamelin learned the bitter cost of dishonesty.