The story goes that a town was overrun with rats, and the citizens couldn't find a way to get rid of them. They called upon a mysterious man dressed in colorful clothing, known as the Pied Piper, who claimed to be able to solve their rat problem.
The Pied Piper promised to rid the town of its rat infestation in exchange for a sum of money. The townspeople agreed to the deal, and the Piper began to play his magical flute. The music was so enchanting that the rats came out of hiding and followed the Piper out of the town, never to be seen again.
However, when the Piper returned to the town to collect his payment, the citizens refused to pay him. The Piper was enraged and decided to seek revenge. He played his flute again, this time enchanting the town's children, who followed him out of the town and into a nearby mountain. The only child who was left behind was a lame boy who could not keep up with the others.
The townspeople were devastated when they realized what had happened and tried to search for their children, but they were never seen again. It is said that on the anniversary of the Piper's revenge, the sound of his magical flute can still be heard echoing through the streets of Hamelin, reminding the townspeople of the tragedy that occurred.