Once upon a time, in a cozy little town called Hamelin, life was peaceful and happy. The streets were lined with colorful houses, the river sparkled under the sun, and children laughed while playing games in the square. But one summer, something strange happened. Thousands of rats suddenly invaded the town! They nibbled on bread in bakeries, scurried across kitchen floors, and even danced on pillows while people slept. The townsfolk tried everything to chase them away—traps, brooms, loud noises—but nothing worked. 
Mayor Klaus, a round man with a bushy mustache, called an emergency meeting. “We must solve this rat problem!” he declared, wiping sweat from his forehead. Just then, a knock echoed at the door. A tall, slender man stepped inside. He wore a cloak made of patchwork cloth—red, yellow, and blue—and carried a flute carved from golden wood. “I am the Piper,” he said with a bow. “I can rid your town of rats… for a bag of gold.”
The Mayor’s eyes lit up. “A bag of gold? Ridiculous! But… if you succeed, we’ll pay you double!” The Piper smiled, raised his flute to his lips, and began to play. The melody was unlike anything the townsfolk had ever heard—playful, mysterious, and as light as a breeze. Within seconds, rats peeked out from alleys, cellars, and rooftops. Their tiny noses twitched, and their paws tapped to the rhythm.
The Piper danced through the streets, his music growing louder. Rats followed in a wiggling gray parade, squeaking and hopping. Children giggled from windows as the Piper led the creatures past the town gates, all the way to the riverbank. There, he played a final note, and the rats leaped into the water, splashing and paddling downstream. Cheers erupted from Hamelin!
But when the Piper returned for his reward, the Mayor crossed his arms. “You only blew a flute! A bag of gold is too much. Here’s a single coin—take it or leave it.” The Piper’s smile faded. “A broken promise carries consequences,” he warned. But the Mayor just laughed and sent him away.
That night, while the town celebrated, the Piper returned. This time, his flute sang a sweeter, softer tune. Doors creaked open as children—still in their pajamas—stepped outside, eyes bright and cheeks glowing. They skipped after the Piper, enchanted by the music. Parents chased after them, but the children vanished into the misty hills, leaving only echoes of laughter.
The next morning, Hamelin was silent. No rats… but no children either. The Mayor sobbed, “What have I done?” He searched for days, offering endless gold, but the Piper was gone. Just as hope began to fade, a little girl named Lina stumbled back into town. “The Piper took us to a magical valley!” she exclaimed. “There were rainbows, talking animals, and rivers of lemonade! But he said we couldn’t stay forever because grown-ups needed to learn a lesson.”
One by one, the children returned, unharmed but wiser. The Mayor fell to his knees, apologizing to everyone. From that day on, Hamelin kept its promises, big and small. The Piper’s flute was heard only once more, far in the distance—a reminder that kindness and honesty matter most of all.
And so, whenever parents tuck their children into bed, they whisper, “Always keep your word… or the Piper might come calling!” But the children just grin, knowing that as long as hearts stay true, magic will always find its way home.
The End
(Word count: 536)
