Pied Piper (Adaptation)

Narrator 1

One morning, long ago, strange things were happening in a small town called Hamelin.

Erich

Good morning, Erwin.

Erwin

Good morning, Erich. Where are you off to?

Erich

To buy a mousetrap. My house is full of rats!

Erwin

Mine too!

Erich

We’ve never had rats before. The Mayor must do something before it turns into a plague!

Narrator 2

For weeks the townspeople tried to get rid of the rats but nothing worked.

Narrator 3

They multiplied until there were thousands of them in barns, stores, bakeries, even in church!

Narrator 1

The angry townspeople finally went to see the Mayor.

Reverend

We want you to do something about these rats!

Adele

My son had his ear nibbled by a rat while he was sleeping!

Shopkeeper

They ate all the grain in my store!

Betsy

Those rats will bring ruin to this town.

Erwin

If you can’t deal with this problem, we will find a new Mayor!

All

That’s right!

Narrator 2

The mayor called for a meeting with his advisors.

Mayor

We must do something about this rat problem!

Advisor 1

What if we buy more mousetraps?

Advisor 2

No good. The rats are too smart. They know how the mousetraps work.

Mayor

We must think of something!

Captain

Let’s offer a reward!

Treasurer

Two hundred gold coins to whoever makes the rats disappear.

Mayor

Good idea!

Advisor 1

Excellent idea!

Mayor

All in favour say “I”.

Captain, Treasurer, Advisors

I!

Narrator 3

The mayor addressed the crowd outside.

Mayor

Dear citizens of Hamelin, I am offering a reward of 200 gold coins to whoever can rid our town of the rats.

Crowd

Hurrah!

Narrator 1

The city was soon covered in reward posters.

Baker

Not long after this a tall stranger entered the town.

Old Man

Young man, please help. I am tired and need help getting over to the bench in the square.

Pied Piper

Of course, old man. I am in no hurry.

Old Man

I haven’t seen you around. Are you from Hamelin?

Pied Piper

No, sir. I am a travelling musician. For a few coins I will play my flute for whoever will listen.

Old Man

Oh! Careful, watch out for the rats!

Pied Piper

I’ve never seen so many.

Old Man

Oh, there are thousands of them! The Mayor is offering a reward of 200 gold coins to anyone who can get rid of them.

Pied Piper

Here is the bench.

Old Man

Thank you.

Pied Piper

Now, where can I find city hall?

Old Man

Straight on. But what business have you there?

Pied Piper

To get rid of your rats and collect my reward. Farewell.

Reverend

So the Pied Piper headed for city hall.

Pied Piper

Good day, I would like to see the mayor. I have important business to discuss.

Secretary

What important business could a poor musician like you have here?

Pied Piper

I am the Pied Piper and I can rid this town of its rats.

Secretary

Really?

Pied Piper

Every one!

Secretary

I’ll fetch the mayor at once!

Mayor

Young man, can you really get rid of these rats?

Pied Piper

Yes.

Mayor

And they will never come back?

Pied Piper

Never.

Mayor

When can you do this?

Pied Piper

Right away, if the reward of 200 gold coins is true?

Mayor

Of course!

Pied Piper

Then I’ll begin immediately.

Narrator 3

The Pied Piper walked to the town square, took out his flute and began to play.

Betsy

Who is he?

Tom

Where did he come from?

Adele

His music is so lovely.
Narrator 1

People came from all over town to hear the Pied Piper play.
Shopkeeper

Listen! Do you hear that scuttling noise?

Baker

It’s the rats!

Erwin

Look! Thousands of them running towards the square!

Child

It’s the music! They like the music!

Erich

They’re heading for the musician!

Reverend

Poor man, they’ll eat him up!

End of Excerpt

(c) Fiona Harris 2016