The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The town of Hamelin was overrun with rats. A piper dressed in multicolored clothing appeared and offered to rid the town of rats for a fee. The mayor agreed. The piper played a enchanting tune on his pipe, and all the rats followed him out of town and into the Weser River, where they drowned.

When the piper returned for his payment, the mayor and townspeople refused. Enraged, the piper returned at dawn and played a different tune. This time, all the children of Hamelin followed him out of the town gates and into a mountain, which closed behind them. Only three children remained: one who was lame and could not keep up, one who was deaf and could not hear the music, and one who was blind and could not see where to go.