The Pied Piper of Hamelin, by artist Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) and engraver Edmund Evans (1826–1905), for Robert Browning’s humorous retelling of the Mediaeval legend in verse. The tale, set in 13th century Saxony, is thought to recall a historical event involving a sudden loss of population from the region around Hanover, such as an epidemic or mass migration.
Introduction
The tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin in Lower Saxony goes back to the 13th century, and has been retold by the Brothers Grimm, Goethe and our own Robert Browning. Scholars have surmised that its origins lie in the migration of Hamelin’s population to work in lands from modern-day Poland to Romania.
IN 1284,* the town of Hamelin on the River Weser was plagued by an infestation of rats. They fought the dogs and killed the cats, they bit babies in their cradles, gnawed into cheese and licked soup from ladles, until the despairing people rose in a body and blamed the mayor.
Despite years of wearing ermine robes and eating excellent dinners, neither the mayor nor his councillors had any solution. At that moment, however, there came a soft knock on the door of the council chamber, and a man entered. His figure was slender, his eyes piercing blue, and his long coat was half yellow and half red. The visitor announced himself as the Pied Piper, and exhibiting his pipe reeled off a list of his triumphs in pest-control, from gnats in Mongolia to vampire-bats in India. He seemed heaven-sent, and the council lost no time in engaging the piper’s services, with a promise of a thousand gilders on completion.
The town chronicle of Hamelin for 1384 stated “It is 100 years since our children left.”
Précis
In 1284, the twon of Hamelin in Saxony (so legend says) was infested by rats. The town’s governors were at their wits’ end, until stranger came and offered his services, promising to clear the infestation as he done in other towns of the world. The townsfolk eagerly agreed, and promised him a thousand gilders if he succeeded. (57 / 60 words)
In 1284, the twon of Hamelin in Saxony (so legend says) was infested by rats. The town’s governors were at their wits’ end, until stranger came and offered his services, promising to clear the infestation as he done in other towns of the world. The townsfolk eagerly agreed, and promised him a thousand gilders if he succeeded.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, just, or, ought, unless, whether, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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