The Pied Piper of Hamelin facts for kids
The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a famous character from an old German legend. He is also known as the Pan Piper or the Rat-Catcher of Hamelin. This story comes from the town of Hamelin in Germany. The legend began a long time ago, in the Middle Ages. The earliest stories describe a piper, or flute player, who wore colorful clothes. He was a rat-catcher hired by the town to lead rats away with his magic pipe. However, when the people of Hamelin refused to pay him for his help, he used his magic pipe to lead their children away instead, just like he had done with the rats. This version of the story became very popular and has been written down by famous authors like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Brothers Grimm, and Robert Browning.
Contents
The Legend of the Pied Piper
The story of the Pied Piper is a well-known tale. It tells of a mysterious musician who arrived in Hamelin when the town was full of rats.
A Town Full of Rats
Long ago, the town of Hamelin was overrun by rats. They were everywhere, causing problems for everyone. The townspeople were desperate and didn't know what to do. They needed someone to help them get rid of the pests.
The Piper's Promise
One day, a strange man appeared in Hamelin. He wore colorful clothes and carried a pipe. He offered to get rid of all the rats for a certain amount of money. The town leaders were so eager to solve their problem that they agreed to his price.
The Magic of the Pipe
The Piper began to play his pipe, and a strange, enchanting melody filled the air. As he played, all the rats in Hamelin followed him out of the town. He led them to the Weser River, where they all drowned. The town was finally free of rats!
A Broken Promise
The townspeople were very happy, but they did not want to pay the Piper the full amount they had promised. They thought he had done his job too easily. The Piper was very angry that they broke their promise.
The Children Disappear
To get revenge, the Piper played his pipe again. This time, it was not the rats who followed him, but all the children of Hamelin. They walked after him as he led them out of the town and into a mountain. The mountain closed behind them, and the children were never seen again.
Where Did the Story Come From?
The earliest known record of this story is from the town of Hamelin itself. It was shown in a stained glass window in the Hamelin church, made around the year 1300. Even though the church was destroyed in 1660, several written accounts of the tale have survived.
Different Ideas About the Piper
There are many different ideas about what the Pied Piper story really means. Some people think he was a symbol of hope for Hamelin. They believe he saved the town from a terrible sickness, like the plague, by leading the rats away.
Images for kids
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1592 painting of Pied Piper copied from the glass window of Marktkirche in Hamelin
See also
In Spanish: El flautista de Hamelín para niños
