The Tale of The Pied Piper

In the wealthy town of Hamelin,

(In the year 1284)

Came a horrible disaster 

Which had not occurred before.

All those who were once healthy

Were struck with a disease.

A plague that came from big fat rats

With plague infested fleas.

"Help us!" Cried the Baker.

"Help us!" Cried his child.

More townspeople cried desperately

As the Mayor forced a smile.

"Don't worry, my good people," said he,

"Help is on the way!"

In truth, no help was coming.

All he could do was pray.

Then suddenly,

Some days later,

A man came into town

With clothes of yellow and red,

Eyes of gray

And hair of brown.

He stood in the Town Square

And bellowed with all his might:

"I've come to the Town of Hamelin to end thy dreadful plight!

I know that you you've tried hard to rid yourselves of vermin."

"And what be thy name, Sir?"

Asked one plague-ridden German.

"I am the Pied Piper."

...But the people wouldn't believe that this stranger could even help them-

They just wanted him to leave.

"Are you here to help us, or are you a swindler from the city?"

The Piper hated to be doubted,

But summoned up his pity.

"Swindler?

No, not I, 

Just a wandering Good Samaritan."

Then the Mayor pushed through the crowd

And asked the strangers' name again.

"Mr. Piper," the Mayor began after learning the strange man's name,

"What reward wouldst thou have if you make good on thy claim?"

The people gasped in horror.

Surely the Mayor must believe

That his oddly dressed stranger

Had some trick up his sleeve.

"1000 gold coins,

Meing Herr,

Is the only reward I'll take."

"1000 gold coins it is!"

Though the Mayor thought him fake.

The Piper played a melody

From a pipe and gold and jewels.

The rats swarmed out of houses

And the people felt like fools.

"He's charming them away!"

"They follow him to the river!"

Does this mean I'll have to pay?

Thought the Mayor with a quiver.

The Piper was in fact leading the rats into the water.

The rats ran past

And fell right in,

And drowned one after another.

Their squeals for help had faded out.

The people were very pleased.

Rats no longer infested the town

To cause the fatal disease.

"I give you 'til the mid-day morrow to give me my reward.

If coins are not in my hand..."

And the Piper began to warn that whosoever lies

To an honest and good man's face

Will suffer more than plague,

More than death-

More than disgrace.

With that, the Piper left and the Mayor began to worry.

He wanted to keep the golden coins,

But feared the Piper's fury.

"Don't worry," said his wife,

"He'll be happy with what we give.

The townspeople have their health

And the children continue to live."

But as the dawn approached,

The Mayor felt scared and ill.

He buried away those feelings

With greed and strong-will.

At noon,

The Piper arrived

And the two men faced each other.

"I come for my gold coins," said he.

"Oh, what lovely weather!

The day is warm and mild

And the Sun, today, 'tis kind."

"I come for my gold coins!"

"1000 we could not find.

Instead I give you 20

And an honourary day.

There will be feasting, mirth and dancing-

Have some complementary hay!"

The Mayor dumped the straw

And the gold in the Piper's hands.

The Piper did not like this public dismissal of his demands.

"I asked for 1000, dear Mayor.

Don't take me for a fool."

The Mayor scratched his head

And said,

"Perhaps you'd like a mule?"

The Piper stomped his foot

And took out his magic pipe.

"This is something you'l regret for the rest of your miserable life!"

He began to play a tune

Somewhat somber than before.

And the children burst outside shouting,

"Piper, play some more!"

They laughed 

And they giggled

As the Piper walked away.

They danced as they followed,

Not knowing that they would pay.

The adults could not move-

Twas the spell of the song.

And they felt

Withing their hearts

That this was very wrong.

The Piper went to the river

And the children followed after

As sounds of cries and bubbles

Drowned out their lovely laughter.

The Piper and his music disappeared

And the adults ran to the shore...

Only to find their children-

Their babies-

Had drowned and were no more.

THE END.