UPI en Español  |   UPI Asia  |   About UPI  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Hamlin seeks new 'Pied Piper' for rats

|
 
Published: Nov. 19, 2008 at 6:46 PM

HAMLIN, Germany, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Officials in Hamlin, Germany -- the city known as the setting of the "Pied Piper" legend -- said life is imitating myth as the town is being invaded by rats.

Hamlin town spokesman Thomas Wahmes said a makeshift trash dump at the edge of town has become a "real refuge" for the vermin ahead of planned festivities for the 725th anniversary of the town's founding, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

He said the trash heap is serving as a "takeaway" food center for the rats.

The town's rat problem echoes the infestation of "The Pied Piper of Hamlin" legend, which postulates a pipe-playing man rid the town of rats by playing a song that led them out of Hamlin in 1284. When the townspeople refused to pay for his services, the piper is said to have played a second tune that led 130 children out of the city, never to be heard from again.

Famous versions of the legend have been penned by the Brothers Grimm and Robert Browning.

Topics: Robert Browning
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening NBC upfronts Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York Spire raised on top of One WTC 2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces
Additional Odd News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
1 of 14
The 2013 Billboard Music Awards
View Caption
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 19, 2013. UPI/Jim Ruymen
fark
The pope goes to Church to catch up on sleep, just like every other Catholic
Pro tip: If you're going to butt-dial someone, make sure it's not 9-1-1 while you are breaking into...
Photo of monster sized hailstones that fell out of the sky in Oklahoma City today
Sarah Palin did not see this coming
Two puppies devoured by king cobra after falling into well. Sorry, did I say devoured? I meant saved...
Home invader learns THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE