'Krysař' Summary

The story follows a mysterious piper who arrives in a German town plagued by a massive rat infestation. The townspeople, desperate for relief, promise the piper a hefty reward if he can rid them of the vermin. The piper, with his magical pipe, lures the rats away, fulfilling his part of the bargain. However, when the time comes to pay him, the greedy townspeople renege on their promise. In a fit of rage and betrayal, the piper unleashes his true power, turning his mystical music into a seductive song for the town's children. He leads them away in a joyful procession, ultimately to their demise. The story ends with a haunting sense of justice and a lingering question about the nature of greed and betrayal.