Books with title THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN A Child's Story

Based on a bizarre legend from the 13th century, Robert Browning's poem from 1842 basically deals with how we might lose our future when we forget our past promises. A good and frightening lesson about children and parents for... children and parents. The sorrow message of the poem is somehow curbed by Kate Greenaway's delicate and abundant illustrations that are turning this book into some sort of a graphic verse-novel. This color edition is part of the "Vintage books restored" collection.

The Classic tale of a man that helps his village get rid of rats is now reprinted once again in its original brilliance as it once was over 100 years ago. Colorful illustrations depict a village of children and animals as the Pied Piper entices the rats to leave the village and a happy ending for all. Historical Significance: In 1284, while the town of Hamelin was suffering from a rat infestation, a man dressed in pied clothing appeared, claiming to be a rat-catcher. He promised the mayor a solution for their problem with the rats. The mayor in turn promised to pay him for the removal of the rats. The man accepted, and played a musical pipe to lure the rats with a song into the Weser River, where all but one drowned. Despite his success, the mayor reneged on his promise and refused to pay the rat-catcher the full amount of money. The man left the town angrily, but vowed to return some time later, seeking revenge.

An energetic re-telling of the classic story of a strangely enchanting piper who rids a miserly town of its rats--only to be rewarded by being cheated of his reward. Scenery may be minimal or grand. Approx. running time: 75 min. Two acts that may be played without intermission. Cast of 6 women, 20 men, (with options for doubling or adding extras).In this telling the rats and the human "vermin" wage political and social war against each other and anyone who contradicts them. But there are heroes too in Hamelin: the crippled orphan Franz, his pet mouse Mortimer, and of course The Piper. Humor, action, and conflict carry this story of betrayal and simple friendship with the reminder that a promise is a promise.