The Pied Piper

The tale of The Pied Piper is one of the most fascinating and mysterious legends in folklore. It tells the story of a magical piper who lures rats away from the town of Hamelin but later takes a shocking turn when the townspeople break their promise. This timeless story has been passed down through generations, teaching important lessons about honesty and consequences. In this blog post on BD JOBZ PREPARATION, we will explore the story of The Pied Piper, its significance, and the morals it conveys.

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The English Story of The Pied Piper

The Pied Piper 

Once I was on holiday, in a funny little town, in a country called Germany. At the top, there was a big mountain, steep like the roof of a house, and at the bottom, there was a big river, broad and slow. And the funniest thing about the little town was that all the shops had the same thing for sale in them: big chocolate rats and mice. We were surprised about it. ‘Why do you have rats in your shops?’ we asked. 

‘Don’t you know about Hamelin town? This is where the Pied Piper came,’ they told us, ‘surely you know the story?’

‘No. What’s the story?’ we said. 

And this is what they told us. 

It seems that once, long ago, Hamelin was dreadfully troubled with rats. The houses were full of them, the stores and churches were full of them; they were everywhere. Those rats fought dogs, killed cats, and even bit sleeping babies. They boldly stole cheeses and licked the soup from the cooks’ own ladles. They made nests in people’s cupboards. And they made so much noise that sometimes people chatting were drowned out by their squeaking. 

At last, it got so bad that the people simply couldn’t stand it any longer. So they all came ‘together and went to the town hall to say to the Mayor, ‘Hey, what do we pay you for? What use are you, if you can’t get rid of these rats? You must clear the town of them or we’ll get rid of you!’ The Mayor didn’t know what to do. He sat there with his head in his hands and thought. Suddenly there was a rat-a-tat and a scraping at the door. Oh! How the Mayor jumped! He could not bear any ratty sounds! Then, realizing it was a visitor, the Mayor sat up and said, ‘Come in!’

And in came the strangest figure! It was a man, very tall and very thin, with a sharp chin and a small mouth, and two blue eyes, each like a pin; and he was dressed half in red and half in yellow-he really was the strongest fellow!-and round his neck, he had a long red and yellow ribbon with a strange little flute tied to it. 

He said to the Mayor, ‘I hear Hamlin is troubled with rats.’ 

‘Yes,’ groaned the Mayor. 

‘Would you like me to get rid of them?’

‘Can you?’ cried the Mayor. ‘How? Who are you, anyway?’

‘They call me the Pied Piper,’ said the man. ‘I know a way to draw after me every type of living thing. What will you give me if I rid your town of rats?’ 

‘Anytime the Mayor. ‘I don’t believe you can do it, but if you can…I’II give you five thousand Marks.’

‘All right,’ said the Piper, ‘it’s a bargain.’

And then he went to the door and stepped out into the street. He put the flute to his lips and began to play a strange, high, little tune. After just a few notes, a noise began to grow. First, it was a low muttering which then grew to grumbling and then a mighty rumbling. 

Suddenly, out of the houses, the rats came tumbling! Greatrats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats. Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins, families by tens and dozens, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives! All followed the Piper!

From street to street they went, till they came right down to the edge of the big river, and there the Piper turned sharply about and stepped aside. All the rats tumbled, head over heels, down the bank into the river and drowned. Every single one. Except for one big old fat rat; he didn’t sink, he swam across and ran away down south to live. 

Then the Piper came back to the town hall. And all the people were waving their hats and shouting joyfully. The Mayor said they would have a big celebration in the middle of the town. He asked the Piper to join them. 

‘Yes,’ said the Piper, ‘that will be very nice; but first, I should like my money.’

Oh, ha ha-ahem!’ said the Mayor, ‘that was a joke.’

‘I do not joke,’ said the Piper very quietly, ‘my five thousand Marks, please.’ 

‘Oh, come, now,’ said the Mayor, ‘you know very well it won’t be worth five cents to play a little tune like that; call it five Marks.’

‘A bargain is a bargain,’ said the Piper. ‘For the last time, will you give me my money?’

‘I’II give you five Marks, something good to eat, and call you lucky at that!’ said the Mayor, sharply. 

Then the Piper’s mouth grew strange and thin and his eyes glinted. He said to the Mayor very softly, ‘I know another tune; I play it to those who play me false.’ 

‘Play what you please! You can’t frighten me! Do your worst!’ said the Mayor, making himself big. 

Then the Piper stood high up on the steps of the town hall and put the pipe to his lips and began to play a little tune. It was a different tune, this time, very soft and sweet, and very, very strange. And before he had played three notes, you heard a rustling that seemed like a bustling of merry crowds. Suddenly, small feet were pattering, little hands clapping and little tongues chattering, and out came the children running. All the little boys and girls with rosy cheeks and flaxen curls, and sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls, tripping and skipping, ran merrily after the wonderful music with shouting and laughter. 

‘Stop, stop!’ cried the people, “ He is taking our children! Stop him, Mayor!’

‘I will give you your money!’ cried the Mayor, and tried to run after the Piper. 

But the same music that made the children dance made the grown-up people stand stock-still as if their feet had been tied to the ground. They stood and saw the Piper move slowly down the street, with the children following him. On and on they danced; till they came to the river bank. 

‘Oh! He will drown them!’ cried the people. But the Piper turned and went along by the bank and all the children followed after. 

Up the hill, they went, straight toward the mountain. And just as they got to it, the mountain opened, like two gat doors. The Piper went in, playing the tune, and the children danced after him. Then, just as they got through, the great doors slid together again and shut them all in! Every single one. Except one little child, who had hurt his leg and was too slow to get there. The children never came back. 

But years afterward, the fat old rat’s grandchildren would ask him. “What made you follow the music, Grandfather?\

He would say, ‘My dears, when I heard that tune I thought I heard the Moving aside of pickle-tub lids and leaving ajar of preserve cupboards and I smelled the most delicious old cheese in the world; and then, just as a great yellow cheese seemed to be saying, “Come, eat me”, I felt the cold river!’

When, similarly, the people asked the child, ‘What made you follow the music?’

He said,’ It sounded like a voice telling me about a wonderful, safe country, where no one was tired or hurt, and children played all day; and just as the beautiful country was one step away, the mountain closed n my playmates and I was left alone.’

That was all the people ever knew. The children never came back. 

And that is the end of the story. 

Based on the poem by 

Robert Browning.

Translation of the Story, The Pied Piper 

পাইড পাইপারের গল্প

একবার আমি ছুটিতে গিয়েছিলাম জার্মানির একটি ছোট্ট মজার শহরে। শহরটির ওপরে ছিল একটি উঁচু পাহাড়, যা দেখতে অনেকটা বাড়ির ছাদের মতো খাড়া, আর নিচে ছিল একটি বড় নদী, যা প্রশস্ত ও ধীরগতিতে বয়ে চলছিল। কিন্তু শহরটির সবচেয়ে মজার ব্যাপার ছিল যে, সব দোকানে একই ধরনের জিনিস বিক্রি হচ্ছিল—চকলেটের তৈরি বড় বড় ইঁদুর ও ছোট ছোট ইঁদুর। আমরা খুব অবাক হয়ে গেলাম।

‘আপনাদের দোকানে ইঁদুর বিক্রি হয় কেন?’ আমরা জিজ্ঞেস করলাম।

‘আপনারা হামেলিন শহরের কথা জানেন না? এখানেই পাইড পাইপার এসেছিলেন,’ তারা বলল। ‘নিশ্চয়ই আপনি গল্পটা জানেন?’

‘না, গল্পটা কী?’ আমরা বললাম।

তখন তারা আমাদের এই গল্পটি বলল।

অনেক দিন আগে, হামেলিন শহর ইঁদুরের উপদ্রবে ভীষণভাবে অতিষ্ট ছিল। প্রতিটি ঘর, দোকানপাট, এমনকি গির্জাগুলোও ছিল ইঁদুরে ভরা। তারা সর্বত্র ছিল। ইঁদুরগুলো কুকুরের সঙ্গে লড়াই করত, বিড়ালদের মেরে ফেলত, এমনকি ঘুমন্ত শিশুদেরও কামড়াত। তারা দুঃসাহসের সঙ্গে চিজ চুরি করত এবং বাবুর্চিদের হাতের চামচ থেকেই স্যুপ চেটে খেত। তারা মানুষের আলমারির ভেতর বাসা বাঁধত এবং এত শব্দ করত যে, মাঝে মাঝে মানুষের কথোপকথনও সেই কিচিরমিচির শব্দে ঢাকা পড়ে যেত।

শেষ পর্যন্ত অবস্থা এতটাই খারাপ হয়ে গেল যে, মানুষ আর সহ্য করতে পারল না। সবাই একত্র হয়ে মেয়রের কাছে গেল এবং বলল, ‘আমরা আপনাকে কী জন্য বেতন দিই? আপনার কোনো কাজে লাগবে না যদি আপনি আমাদের শহর থেকে এই ইঁদুরদের তাড়াতে না পারেন! আপনি যদি শহর পরিষ্কার করতে না পারেন, তাহলে আমরাই আপনাকে তাড়িয়ে দেব!’

মেয়র কিছুই বুঝতে পারছিলেন না। তিনি মাথা ধরে চিন্তায় ডুবে গেলেন। ঠিক তখনই দরজায় ঠকঠক আওয়াজ হলো এবং কিছু একটা ঘষার শব্দ শোনা গেল। আহ! মেয়র যেন লাফিয়ে উঠলেন! তিনি ইঁদুরের কোনো শব্দই সহ্য করতে পারতেন না! কিন্তু যখন বুঝলেন যে এটি একজন দর্শনার্থী, তখন তিনি সোজা হয়ে বসে বললেন, ‘ভিতরে আসুন!’

এরপর ভেতরে ঢুকল এক আজব মানুষ! সে ছিল লম্বা ও চিকন, তার মুখ ছিল সূঁচালো, ছোট্ট একটা মুখ এবং দুটি নীল চোখ ছিল, যা সূঁচের মতো ধারালো দেখাত। তার পোশাক ছিল অর্ধেক লাল ও অর্ধেক হলুদ—সে সত্যিই ছিল অদ্ভুত এক ব্যক্তি! তার গলায় ছিল একটি লাল ও হলুদ ফিতা, যাতে বাঁধা ছিল একটি ছোট্ট বাঁশি।

সে মেয়রকে বলল, ‘আমি শুনেছি হামেলিন শহর ইঁদুরে পরিপূর্ণ।’

‘হ্যাঁ,’ মেয়র দীর্ঘশ্বাস ফেলে বললেন।

‘আপনি কি চান যে আমি এই ইঁদুরদের সরিয়ে দিই?’

‘তুমি কি পারবে?’ মেয়র চমকে উঠে বললেন, ‘কীভাবে? তুমি কে?’

‘আমাকে লোকে পাইড পাইপার বলে,’ লোকটি বলল। ‘আমি এমন এক উপায় জানি, যা দিয়ে আমি যেকোনো জীবকে আমার পিছু টেনে আনতে পারি। যদি আমি তোমার শহরকে ইঁদুরমুক্ত করি, তাহলে আমাকে কী পুরস্কার দেবে?’

‘কী দিতে হবে বলো?’ মেয়র বললেন। ‘আমি বিশ্বাস করি না তুমি এটা করতে পারবে, কিন্তু যদি করো… আমি তোমাকে পাঁচ হাজার মার্ক দেব।’

‘ঠিক আছে,’ পাইপার বলল, ‘তাহলে চুক্তি হলো।’

এরপর সে দরজার দিকে এগিয়ে গেল এবং রাস্তায় বেরিয়ে পড়ল। সে তার বাঁশিটি ঠোঁটে রাখল এবং একটি অদ্ভুত সুর বাজাতে শুরু করল। কয়েকটি মাত্র নোট বাজানোর পর, হঠাৎ করে চারপাশে এক আজব শব্দ ছড়িয়ে পড়ল। প্রথমে একটি মৃদু গুঞ্জন, তারপর সেটি ক্রমশ বাড়তে লাগল, তারপর এক বিশাল গর্জনের মতো হয়ে গেল!

হঠাৎ করেই, ঘরবাড়ির ভেতর থেকে ইঁদুরগুলো ছুটে বেরিয়ে এলো! বড় ইঁদুর, ছোট ইঁদুর, শুকনো ইঁদুর, মোটা ইঁদুর! বাবা-মা, চাচা-চাচি, ভাই-বোন, পুরো পরিবার—সবাই পাগলের মতো পাইপারের পেছনে দৌড়াতে লাগল!

এক রাস্তা থেকে অন্য রাস্তায়, তারা ছুটে চলল, যতক্ষণ না তারা বড় নদীর ধারে পৌঁছে গেল। সেখানে পাইপার হঠাৎ দিক পরিবর্তন করল এবং একপাশে সরে গেল। সব ইঁদুর টপাটপ নদীর পানিতে পড়ে গেল এবং ডুবে মারা গেল।

শুধুমাত্র একটি মোটা বুড়ো ইঁদুর বেঁচে গেল; সে ডুবল না, সাঁতরে পার হয়ে দক্ষিণে পালিয়ে গেল।

তারপর পাইপার ফিরে এল টাউন হলে। মানুষজন আনন্দে নাচছিল, টুপি উঁচু করে উল্লাস করছিল। মেয়র বললেন যে তারা শহরের মাঝখানে বড় উৎসব করবে এবং পাইপারকেও আমন্ত্রণ জানালেন।

‘হ্যাঁ,’ পাইপার বলল, ‘এটি খুব সুন্দর হবে; কিন্তু তার আগে আমার পারিশ্রমিক চাই।’

‘ওহ, হা হা—উম!’ মেয়র বললেন, ‘ওটা তো ছিল শুধু একটা কৌতুক।’

‘আমি কৌতুক করি না,’ পাইপার শান্ত স্বরে বলল, ‘আমার পাঁচ হাজার মার্ক দিন।’

‘আহ! অত টাকা বাজানোর মতো একটা ছোট্ট সুরের দাম হতে পারে না; পাঁচ মার্ক নাও,’ মেয়র কঠোরভাবে বললেন।

পাইপারের মুখ কঠোর হয়ে উঠল, তার চোখ ঝলসে উঠল। সে বলল, ‘আমি আরেকটি সুর জানি, যা আমি তাদের জন্য বাজাই, যারা প্রতারণা করে।’

তারপর পাইপার টাউন হলের সিঁড়িতে উঠে দাঁড়াল এবং তার বাঁশিটি বাজাতে লাগল। এবার সুরটি ছিল নরম, মিষ্টি এবং খুবই রহস্যময়। হঠাৎ করে শিশুদের ছোট ছোট পায়ের শব্দ শোনা গেল, হাসির আওয়াজ এলো, আর সব শিশু দৌড়ে বেরিয়ে এল!

ছোট ছোট ছেলে-মেয়েরা উচ্ছ্বাসে নাচতে নাচতে পাইপারের পেছনে দৌড়াতে লাগল।

‘থামাও! সে আমাদের শিশুদের নিয়ে যাচ্ছে!’ লোকেরা চিৎকার করল।

কিন্তু পাইপার তাদের শোনেনি। সে পাহাড়ের দিকে এগিয়ে চলল, আর তার পেছনে শিশুরাও। পাহাড়ের কাছে পৌঁছাতেই পাহাড়ের গেটের মতো দরজা খুলে গেল! পাইপার ভেতরে ঢুকল, শিশুরাও ঢুকে গেল!

শুধুমাত্র এক শিশু, যার পা ছিল আহত, সে দৌড়াতে পারেনি। বাকি সবাই হারিয়ে গেল!

এবং সেই শিশু বলেছিল, ‘আমি এক সুন্দর দেশের কণ্ঠস্বর শুনেছিলাম, যেখানে কেউ ক্লান্ত হয় না, ব্যথা পায় না, আর শিশুরা সারাদিন খেলে। কিন্তু ঠিক যখন সেই দেশ এক কদম দূরে ছিল, পাহাড় বন্ধ হয়ে গেল!’

এবং সেই শিশুরা আর কখনো ফিরে আসেনি।

এটাই ছিল পাইড পাইপারের গল্প।

Important Vocabulary of  the Story, The Pied Piper

Here are 50 difficult words from the passage, along with their parts of speech, meanings (in Bangla and English), and example sentences:

1. Steep (adjective) [খাড়া, sharply rising]: The hill was so steep that it was difficult to climb.
2. Broad (adjective) [প্রশস্ত, wide]: The broad river flowed slowly through the valley.
3. Surprised (adjective) [অবাক, astonished]: She was surprised to see the strange man in town.
4. Dreadfully (adverb) [ভয়ানকভাবে, terribly]: The town was dreadfully troubled with rats.
5. Fought (verb) [যুদ্ধ করেছিল, battled]: The brave dog fought the rats fiercely.
6. Boldly (adverb) [সাহসের সাথে, bravely]: The boy boldly entered the haunted house.
7. Cheese (noun) [পনির, a dairy product]: He cut a slice of cheese for his sandwich.
8. Ladle (noun) [ডেগচির চামচ, a deep spoon]: The cook stirred the soup with a ladle.
9. Cupboard (noun) [আলমারি, cabinet]: She kept the plates in the cupboard.
10. Squeaking (verb) [চিঁ চিঁ শব্দ করা, making a high-pitched sound]: The door was squeaking because of rust.
11. Grumbling (verb) [বিরক্তিসূচক কথা বলা, complaining]: The workers were grumbling about their low wages.
12. Muttering (verb) [বিড়বিড় করে বলা, speaking unclearly]: He was muttering something under his breath.
13. Rumbling (noun) [গড়গড় শব্দ, deep rolling sound]: The rumbling of thunder scared the children.
14. Tumbled (verb) [গড়িয়ে পড়া, fell suddenly]: The books tumbled off the shelf.
15. Bargain (noun) [চুক্তি, deal]: They made a bargain to buy the house at a low price.
16. Mighty (adjective) [শক্তিশালী, very strong]: The mighty warrior defeated his enemies.
17. Strangest (adjective) [অদ্ভুততম, most unusual]: It was the strangest thing I had ever seen.
18. Flute (noun) [বাঁশি, a musical instrument]: The flute made a sweet sound.
19. Tune (noun) [সুর, melody]: He played a beautiful tune on the violin.
20. Sharp (adjective) [তীক্ষ্ণ, pointed]: Be careful, that knife is sharp.
21. Thin (adjective) [পাতলা, slim]: She wore a thin cotton dress.
22. Realizing (verb) [অনুভব করা, understanding]: She kept running, not realizing she was lost.
23. Stepped (verb) [পা রাখা, moved forward]: He stepped out of the car slowly.
24. Cousin (noun) [চাচাতো ভাই বা বোন, a relative]: My cousin came to visit last summer.
25. Drowned (verb) [ডুবে মারা গেছে, died in water]: The swimmer nearly drowned in the deep sea.
26. Celebration (noun) [উৎসব, festival]: The New Year celebration was grand.
27. Joyfully (adverb) [আনন্দের সাথে, happily]: The children played joyfully in the park.
28. Chattering (verb) [বকবক করা, talking fast]: The students were chattering before class started.
29. Pattering (verb) [টুপটাপ শব্দ, making light tapping sounds]: The pattering of rain was relaxing.
30. Rustling (noun) [সরসর শব্দ, soft sound of movement]: The rustling leaves signaled an approaching storm.
31. Skipping (verb) [লাফিয়ে চলা, moving lightly]: The girl was skipping happily in the garden.
32. Tripping (verb) [পা হড়কানো, stumbling]: He kept tripping on the stairs.
33. Glimmering (verb) [আলোর ঝলকানি, shining faintly]: The stars were glimmering in the night sky.
34. Merrily (adverb) [আনন্দের সাথে, cheerfully]: They sang merrily around the campfire.
35. Suddenly (adverb) [হঠাৎ করে, abruptly]: The lights went out suddenly.
36. False (adjective) [মিথ্যা, not true]: He gave a false statement to the police.
37. Fragrant (adjective) [সুগন্ধি, sweet-smelling]: The garden was full of fragrant flowers.
38. Frighten (verb) [ভয় দেখানো, scare]: Ghost stories frighten small children.
39. Grown-up (adjective) [বয়স্ক, adult]: The grown-up people did not believe in fairy tales.
40. Hurt (verb) [আঘাত পাওয়া, injure]: He hurt his knee while playing.
41. Lonely (adjective) [একাকী, alone]: The old man felt lonely after his wife passed away.
42. Crowd (noun) [ভিড়, a large group of people]: The crowd gathered to see the show.
43. Strange (adjective) [অদ্ভুত, unusual]: A strange noise came from the attic.
44. Delicious (adjective) [সুস্বাদু, tasty]: The cake was delicious and soft.
45. Whispered (verb) [ফিসফিস করে বলা, spoke softly]: He whispered a secret in my ear.
46. Biting (verb) [কামড়ানো, using teeth to cut]: The dog was biting the bone happily.
47. Glistening (verb) [ঝকঝক করা, shining brightly]: Her eyes were glistening with tears.
48. Dancing (verb) [নৃত্য করা, moving rhythmically]: They were dancing at the wedding.
49. Unusual (adjective) [অস্বাভাবিক, not common]: It was an unusual sight to see snow in April.
50. Waving (verb) [নাড়ানো, moving the hand]: The boy was waving at his mother from the bus.

Exercises

Questions & Answers

1: What kind of person was the Mayor? Pick out the descriptions of him and explain what he is like.
Ans: The Mayor of Hamelin was a weak and dishonest leader. He was unable to solve the rat problem and relied on others to fix it. When the Pied Piper offered to help, the Mayor made a deal but later refused to pay him. He tried to trick the Piper by offering only five Marks instead of five thousand. His cowardice was evident when he panicked after the Piper took the children away, showing that he was selfish and irresponsible.

2: Pick out the descriptions of the Pied Piper. What was he like before he led the rats away? How did he change when the Mayor refused to pay him?
Ans: The Pied Piper was a tall and thin man with a sharp chin and small mouth. He had two bright blue eyes and wore a red and yellow outfit. He was mysterious but confident in his abilities. Before leading the rats away, he was friendly and made a fair deal with the Mayor. However, when the Mayor refused to pay him, he became serious and vengeful. His mouth grew thin, his eyes glinted with anger, and he played another tune that led the children away as a form of punishment for the town’s dishonesty.

3: What effect did the Piper’s playing have on the children?
Ans: The Piper’s music had a magical effect on the children. As soon as he played his strange, sweet tune, the children became enchanted. They started pattering their feet, clapping their hands, and laughing joyfully. Unable to resist the music, they danced and skipped merrily after the Piper. They followed him out of the town, across the riverbank, and up the mountain, where they disappeared forever when the mountain doors closed behind them.

4: What did the people think, feel, and do when their children were led away?
Ans: At first, the people were shocked and confused when they saw their children running after the Pied Piper. As they realized what was happening, they became desperate and pleaded for the Piper to stop. The Mayor even offered to pay him, but it was too late. The townspeople were filled with sorrow and regret, watching helplessly as the Piper led their children away. They were left in grief, knowing they would never see their children again.

Reference to Context

Reference 1: ‘I know another tune; I play it to those who play me false.’

1. Who said this and to whom?
Ans: The Pied Piper said this to the Mayor and the people of Hamelin.

2. Who has been ‘false’?
Ans: The Mayor and the townspeople were ‘false’ because they broke their promise and refused to pay the Pied Piper the agreed amount after he removed the rats from the town.

3. Write the lines in your own words. Keep the meaning but use more straightforward language.
Ans: “I have another tune that I play for people who break their promises to me.”

Reference 2: ‘… that was a joke.’

1. Who said this and why?
Ans: The Mayor said this when the Pied Piper came to collect his payment. He wanted to trick the Piper by offering him only fifty Marks instead of the promised thousand Marks, making it seem like the original amount was just a joke.

2. What had he promised?
Ans: He had promised to pay the Pied Piper one thousand Marks if he successfully removed all the rats from Hamelin.

3. What did the Piper do after this?
Ans: After hearing this, the Pied Piper became angry. He played a new tune on his pipe, enchanting all the children of Hamelin, just as he had done with the rats. The children joyfully followed him out of the town and disappeared into a mountain, never to return.

C. Words and Meaning

1. What do these words mean? Use them in sentences of your own.

• Bustling (adjective) – full of activity and energy. (ব্যস্ত ও কোলাহলপূর্ণ)
  Sentence: The bustling marketplace was filled with people buying and selling goods.

• Brawny (adjective) – physically strong and muscular. (শক্তিশালী ও পেশীবহুল)
  Sentence: The brawny blacksmith lifted the heavy hammer with ease.

• Flaxen (adjective) – pale yellow or golden in color, like flax. (ফিকে হলুদ বা সোনালি রঙের)
  Sentence: The little girl had beautiful flaxen hair that shone in the sunlight.

• Bargain (noun) – an agreement between two parties on a price or deal. (চুক্তি বা বেচাকেনার সমঝোতা)
  Sentence: I got a great bargain on my new phone during the holiday sale.

2. True or False?

• The people in Hamelin today sell chocolate rats and mice. → True
• The Mayor liked rats. → False
• The Mayor and the Pied Piper were friends. → False
• The people chased after their children as they were led away. → True
• The side of the mountain opened. → True
• All the children in the town disappeared. → False (One lame child was left behind.)

D. Discuss and Write

1. What lessons can be learned from the story?

Ans: The story of The Pied Piper of Hamelin teaches several important lessons:

• Honesty and Keeping Promises – The Mayor and the people of Hamelin broke their promise to the Piper, which led to tragic consequences. This shows the importance of keeping one’s word.
• Greed Leads to Disaster – The Mayor was greedy and tried to avoid paying the Piper. This decision resulted in the loss of the town’s children.
• Respect for Others – The townspeople underestimated the Pied Piper’s power. The story teaches us to respect everyone, no matter how different or unusual they may seem.
• Actions Have Consequences – The people of Hamelin suffered because of their dishonesty. The story highlights that every action has consequences, good or bad.

2. What should the Mayor have done?

Ans: The Mayor should have acted honestly and responsibly. He made a promise to pay the Pied Piper and should have kept his word. Instead of trying to trick him, the Mayor should have been grateful for his help and paid him fairly. If he had done so, the town would not have lost its children. The story teaches that leaders must be fair, just, and keep their promises to maintain the trust and well-being of their people.

Read More: Sheep by W H Davies

The Pied Piper is more than just a children’s tale—it is a powerful lesson about keeping promises and facing the consequences of dishonesty. The eerie ending of the story continues to captivate readers, making it a subject of discussion even today. Whether viewed as a myth or a historical mystery, The Pied Piper remains an unforgettable tale. Stay connected with BD JOBZ PREPARATION for more insightful literary discussions and engaging content on classic stories and their deeper meanings.