The Pied Piper of Hamelin is a classic German fairy tale about a town overrun by rats. A mysterious Piper arrives and uses his magic flute to lead the rats into the river, saving the town. But when the townspeople refuse to pay him, the Piper returns and plays another tune—this time leading the children away forever. Only one child returns to tell the tale. The story is a powerful moral lesson about keeping promises and the consequences of greed. It’s often told to children aged 6–12 and has been retold around the world in many languages.

 

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Rat Problem

 

 

Long ago, in a time of trouble, the town of Hamelin faced a terrible problem. Rats. Hundreds and thousands of them. Big ones, small ones, sneaky ones—they ran through every street, chewed through cupboards, and even danced on rooftops. The townspeople had tried everything, but nothing worked.

One day, a strange man appeared at the town gate, calling himself a piper.He wore a long cloak made from many pieces of brightly colored cloth. Because of his coat, the people began calling him the Pied Piper.

 

 

“I hear you’ve got a rat problem,” the man said with a smile. “I can rid your town of every last one—for a price.”

Desperate, the townspeople quickly agreed. They promised to pay him a handsome sum if he could truly send the rats away.

Without another word, the Pied Piper reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flute. Then, he began to play.

The music was eerie and enchanting—soft as a breeze through reeds, with notes that shimmered like silver raindrops. It floated through the streets like a whisper, wrapping around corners and slipping under doorways. Suddenly, the rats began to pour out of every house! One by one, hundreds of them scurried after the sound of the pipe.

 

 

Still playing, the Piper strolled out of town toward the river. The rats followed close behind, tumbling over one another to keep up. He waded into the water, still playing. Without hesitation, the rats followed him into the river—and there they drowned.

 

 

The people of Hamelin were overjoyed. At last, their town was free from the horrible rodents.

 

The Broken Promise

 

 

But now that the rats were gone, the townspeople grew stingy.

“That was far too easy,” muttered one man.

“Why should we pay him so much?” said another.

“Perhaps he used magic! That shouldn’t count,” said a third.

When the Piper returned for his payment, the townspeople refused. They offered only a few coins—nothing close to what they had promised.

The Piper’s eyes narrowed. “You broke your word,” he said quietly. “You’ll regret it.”

He left the town, his colourful cloak billowing behind him. No one stopped him. No one said thank you. No one paid a single silver coin.

 

The Children Vanish

 

Not long after, the Piper returned.

But this time, he looked different. He wore a dark green hunter’s cloak, a red feathered hat, and a grim expression. No one noticed him at first.

Then, he pulled out his flute once again—and began to play.

This melody was sweeter than before—high and dancing like sunlight on water, playful yet strange, like a dream you couldn’t wake from.

But it wasn’t rats that came this time.

It was children.

From every corner of Hamelin, boys and girls came running. Toddlers and teens, rich and poor, even the mayor’s own daughter. They smiled and laughed as they followed the Piper through the streets.

 

 

But there was something eerie about it. The music felt like a spell—beautiful, but impossible to resist.

One babysitter, holding a little child, followed at a distance. But when she saw the group heading toward the mountains, she turned back and ran to warn the others.

 

 

By the time the parents reached the town gates, it was too late.

The Piper had led 130 children into a mountain—and vanished.

 

Aftermath and Mystery

 

 

The town was in chaos. Mothers wept in the streets. Fathers searched every hill and valley. Messengers rode in every direction, shouting the children’s names.

But not a single one returned.

The place where they vanished became known as the Silent Street. No music or dancing was allowed there, not even during weddings. Even now, people remember the terrible price the town paid for breaking their promise.

The mountain just outside Hamelin still stands, though no one knows what lies within. The name of the hill has been forgotten, but the sorrow remains.

 

 

Some say the children reappeared in a faraway land, building a new life beyond the mountains. Others say they were never seen again.

But one thing is certain—the Piper kept his word. And Hamelin never forgot.

 

Moral of the Story

Always keep your promises. Especially to those who seem a little strange… and carry a pipe.

 

 

March to More Enchanting Melodies

Love trickster heroes? Meet another rogue in Bluebeard.

Looking for more broken-promise drama? Climb up Jack and the Beanstalk.

Explore leadership lessons in Why Reading Aloud Is Crucial for Your Child’s Development.

Learn more about the history of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.