The fool pied piper / Ehrhart. - Political cartoon, public domain image

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a famous legend that originated in Germany. The story tells of a town called Hamelin that was infested with rats. The townspeople were desperate to get rid of the rats, so they hired a mysterious piper who claimed to be able to lure the rats away with his magical flute. The piper began to play his flute, and the rats were enchanted by the music. They followed him out of town and into a river, where they drowned. When the piper returned to the town to collect his fee, the townspeople refused to pay him the agreed amount. Feeling betrayed, the piper decided to take revenge on the town. He played his flute once more, but this time it was not the rats who followed him. Instead, it was the children of Hamelin who were mesmerised by his music. One hundred and thirty children followed the Piper out of the town and disappeared forever. The legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin has been told and retold over the centuries, with different interpretations and adaptations. Some versions suggest that the children were taken to a land of happiness, while others imply a darker fate. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of breaking promises and the importance of honouring agreements.