The Disturbing True Story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin

[sheshe2]

When, lo! as they reached the mountain-side,
A wondrous portal opened wide,
As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed;
And the Piper advanced and the children followed,
And when all were in to the very last,
The door in the mountain-side shut fast.
Robert Browning, The Pied Piper of Hamelin: A Child’s Story

Many are familiar with the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Few realise however, that the story is based on real events, which evolved over the years into a fairy tale made to scare children.

For those unfamiliar with the tale, it is set in 1284 in the town of Hamelin, Lower Saxony, Germany. This town was facing a rat infestation, and a piper, dressed in a coat of many coloured, bright cloth, appeared. This piper promised to get rid of the rats in return for a payment, to which the townspeople agreed too. Although the piper got rid of the rats by leading them away with his music, the people of Hamelin reneged on their promise. The furious piper left, vowing revenge. On the 26 th of July of that same year, the piper returned and led the children away, never to be seen again, just as he did the rats. Nevertheless, one or three children were left behind, depending on which version is being told. One of these children was lame, and could not keep up, another was deaf and could not hear the music, while the third one was blind and could not see where he was going.



More:https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/disturbing-true-story-pied-piper-hamelin-001969

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Donnie is the Pied Piper and leading his supporters to their death as he plays them a tune only they hear.

Sadly many of us will die as well, not from listening to his seductive musical lies, yet for fighting his tune.

[DonaldsRump]

1. There's a massive flaw in your analogy, SS2

The Pied Piper led the rats out of town; our overstuffed Idiot Snowflake-in-chief brought all the rats into town.

Otherwise, perfect....

(said in jest, partly)

[Squinch]

2. That article is fascinating. What a mystery!

[sheshe2]

4. Thanks, Squinch.

I agree.

[OhZone]

3. Actually a good metaphor -

Note: earlier versions of the story didn't even have rats.

It was just the Piper leading children off.