In 1284 Hamelin suffered greatly under a plague of rats. One day a travelling musician offered to destroy all the rats for a good reward in return. During the night he went along the streets and with his flute allured the rats to follow him. He led them to the Weser where they were drowned. Yet, when he asked the magistrate for his reward, they made a fool of him and he swore to take vengeance on them. Again he moved with his flute through the town, but this time girls and boys were attracted by the tune. About 130 children followed the Pied Piper, they disappeared on the Koppenberg and were never seen again. Only one child was saved, as it had not been able to follow quickly enough.