The Piped Piper of Hamelin by Robert Browning is a famous poem often found on reading lists. You can download a free version of the book beautifully illustrated by Kate Greenaway.
The story of the pied piper of Hamelin originated in Germany. It is said that in the late 13th century when the town was infested with rats an odd and unique stranger came into town dressed in multicolored (or pied) garments explaining that he could rid them of their rats — for a price. The town mayor, desperate for a solution, agreed to the man’s price.
The odd man pulled out his pipe and played an odd tune that drew the rats from all quarters. When the rats were all around him, he walked into a nearby river, and all of the rats were drowned.
Unfortunately, once rid of their rat population, the town reneged on their end of the agreement. In retaliation, the man once again drew out his pipe, and played a different song. This time it was the children of the town that were drawn to him as though in a trance, including the mayor’s daughter, and all followed him into a cave and were never seen again.
There are stories of a church in Hamelin that used to contain a window depicting the event. There are also stories found in old manuscripts that seem to indicate something indeed happened to 130 children that was not to be forgotten, though there was no mention of rats.
https://diyhomeschooler.com/the-pied-piper-of-hamelin-free-ebook-go-alongs
Literature, Fairy Tale
