Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Pied Piper of Hamelin (German: der Rattenfänger von Hameln, also known as the Pan Piper or the Rat-Catcher of Hamelin) is the central figure in a legendary tale from the town of Hamelin (Hameln), Lower Saxony, Germany.

The legend dates back to the Middle Ages, with the earliest accounts describing a piper, dressed in multicolored ("pied") clothing, who was hired by the town to rid it of a rat infestation using his magical pipe. When the townspeople refused to pay him for his services as promised, the piper sought revenge by using the power of his instrument to lure the town's children away, much like he had done with the rats. This story spread as folklore and has been retold in the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Brothers Grimm, and Robert Browning, among others. The term "pied piper" has since become a metaphor for someone who attracts followers with charisma or false promises.

There are various theories surrounding the Pied Piper's story. Some suggest that he symbolized hope for the people of Hamelin, who had suffered from a plague. By driving the rats away, he helped save the town from the epidemic.