The Pied Piper of Hamelin - German

My name is Lise, and I remember when my town, Hamelin, was filled with the sound of tiny, scratching feet. Long ago, our cozy homes and cobblestone streets were overrun with rats! They were everywhere, nibbling our bread and scurrying in the shadows, and all the grown-ups were terribly worried. One day, a tall stranger appeared in the town square, dressed in a fantastic coat of red and yellow. He carried a simple wooden pipe and promised our mayor he could solve our rat problem for a bag of gold. This is the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

The mayor eagerly agreed, and the stranger lifted the pipe to his lips. He began to play a melody so strange and wonderful that it tickled your ears. From my window, I watched in amazement as every single rat, from the biggest to the smallest, poured out of the houses. They followed the Piper, mesmerized by his song, as he led them down to the deep River Weser. With a final, high note, all the rats tumbled into the water and were washed away forever. The town cheered and celebrated, feeling safe at last. But when the Piper returned for his payment, the greedy mayor laughed and refused to give him the gold he had promised. The Piper’s smile vanished, and his eyes grew dark and serious before he turned and walked away without another word.

The next morning, on the 26th of June, the sun was shining brightly. Suddenly, a new song drifted through the air, sweeter and more magical than the first. I couldn't run and play like the other children because my leg was weak, so I watched from my doorway. All my friends stopped their games, their faces filled with wonder, and began to follow the sound. The Pied Piper was back, and he was leading all the children of Hamelin through the streets. They skipped and danced behind him, laughing as if it were the most wonderful parade in the world, completely enchanted by his music.

I tried to follow, but I was too slow. I watched as the Piper led them all toward the big mountain that stood outside our town. A hidden door swung open in the rock, and one by one, the children followed him inside. Then, the door closed, and they were gone. Our town was quiet and sad, and the grown-ups learned a hard lesson about the importance of keeping a promise. For hundreds of years, people have told my story to remember that fairness and honesty matter. It has inspired poems, songs, and plays, and it reminds us all to wonder about the power of music and the magic that lives in a promise kept.