The Pied Piper of Hamelin Quotes

“Once upon a time, there was pretty little town named Hamelin. Though Hamelin was charming, it had two faults. Its townspeople were very stingy, and there were too many rats.”

“There were so many rats, in fact, that even the cats had run away. Rats dwelled in the cellars, in the kitchens, the bedrooms, and even the attics. The people of Hamelin could not live with so many rats.”

“One day a thin stranger in a bright, pointed hat strolled into town. He told the mayor, ‘If you like, I will get rid of the rats in just a few hours. If you do, you will be rewarded!’ promised the mayor.”

“Before three notes of the pipe came fluttering you heard a sound like armies muttering, and the muttering grew to a grumbling, and the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling, and out of the houses the rats came tumbling.”

“Once more he stepped into the street and to his lips again laid his long pipe of smooth straight cane. Before he blew three notes (so sweet and soft, and yet so cunning), there was a rustling that seemed like a bustling of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling. Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clattering, little hands clapping and little tongues chattering, and, like fowls on a farm when barley is scattering, out came the children running.”

“Rats! They fought the dogs and killed the cats, and bit the babies in the cradles, and ate the cheese out of the vats, and licked the soup from the cooks’ own ladles.”

“At last the people all came flocking, shouting in the great Town Hall: ‘Our Council’s attitude is shocking! High you sit and far you’ll fall. To think we buy fine gowns of ermine for dolts who can’t or won’t determine how to rid us of our vermin! You’re old and fat and still expect your furry robes to buy respect! Well, wake up! Give your brains a racking! Find the remedy we’re lacking or, sure as fate, we’ll send you packing!’ ”

“His odd coat from heel to head was half of yellow and half of red, and he himself was tall and thin, with sharp blue eyes, each like a pin, and light loose hair, yet swarthy skin, no tuft on cheek nor beard on chin, but lips where smiles went out and in: there was no guessing his origin.”

“Your honors, I am able by secret magic to enchant all creatures living beneath the sun that creep or swim or fly or run. What I can do most wizards can’t. Chiefly I reserve my charm for creatures that’ll do you harm - the mole and toad, the newt and viper - and people call me the Pied Piper,”

“Into the streets the Piper stepped, smiling first a little smile, as if he knew what magic slept in his still pipe all the while, for there his secret spells were kept. Then blowing soft, his lips he wrinkled, and green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled like candle flames where salt is sprinkled.”

“The Mayor was still, and the Council stood as if they were changed into blocks of wood. Unable to move a step or cry to the children merrily skipping by, they could only follow with the eye that joyous crowd at the Piper’s back.”

“And so, dear friends, let us not be gripers in dealing with people - especially pipers! Sometimes it’s not in our power to choose just what we keep and what we lose. And those who can’t see beyond the cost should consider this tale and what was lost. It ought to sway even a doubting Thomas: Better to lose your purse and keep your promise!”

“And the better in memory to fix the path of the children’s last retreat, they call that place Pied Piper Street, where anyone playing a pipe or drum was driven back the way he’d come; nor did they allow an inn or tavern to spill forth joy on a street so solemn.”