AND PIPED THOSE CHILDREN BACK AGAIN.
“Don’t you love the Pied Piper story, and didn’t your heart almost stop beating when the door in the mountain closed, shutting the children in?
“And though you were glad one mother had her dear little boy left behind, no doubt your tears mingled with his as he limped alone down the mountain path trying in vain to comfort himself with the fleeting glimpse he had of that joyous country where the horses had wings and the bees no stings; where the birds were brighter than peacocks here and flowers of rare beauty grew in profusion.
“Can’t you just see his beautiful, upturned, angel face? How could that great door close and leave him on the wrong side!
“But let me tell you a splendid fact. Sometimes the things that seem all wrong are the grandest things that ever happened, and true it is, though it may seem hard to believe, this little fellow was really on the right side of the door after all. And though he seemed shut out from the glad times awaiting them in that blissful land, just because of this he was able to ring the joy bells of the village with his own hands because he was the only one there who could finally enter the magic door and carry the message that brought the children to their own again. And now I must tell you this beautiful thing that happened:
“After the little hamlet was bereft of her children the parents turned sadly back to their homes, while the muffled tones of the Pied Piper came no more to their ears.
“They could hardly believe it true. It must be a bad dream from which they would soon awaken.
“Many times a day the thrifty housewives stepped to their doors and listened in vain for the shrill baby voices to call to one another in their play.
“The wooden soldiers stood straight and stiff at their guns at ‘Present arms!’ waiting for the cry of ‘Attention!’ but no order was given—no sound of fife or drum disturbed the silence.
“The Dutch-faced dollies sat in corners, smiling so sweetly, waiting expectantly for their little mothers to rock them to sleep, but no lullabys came to their ears.
“The parents gazed at the various toys till their eyes were dim with tears and one night when the moon was big and round, and oh, so silvery, the Mayor tossed sleeplessly on his bed. Presently he arose, dressed, and crept out into the cool sweet night. His wife heard and followed.
“When they reached the street they found it peopled with many parents, waiting for they knew not what.
“The silvery light of the moon shed its glow upon the mountain, and as they looked, suddenly the portal opened wide, disclosing an inside gate of golden fretwork.
“Silently and slowly the portal swung back, and they whispered to one another, ‘Was that the great door that shut the children in?’
“With bated breath they waited, and suddenly sweet strains of music filled the air.
“‘The Pied Piper!’ cried the Mayor, with upraised hand.
“Never had they heard such notes, as clear and silvery as the moonbeams themselves. Then came the sound of children’s voices, singing as never children sang, and though it was sweet it was so sad they could scarcely bear to listen, but it seemed to beckon them on.
“They hurried up the path taken by the children, and as they neared the door the words of the song amazed them, and drew forth exclamations.
“‘Keep your promise and we can come back!’ was the burden of the song, and the Mayor cried:
“‘Come! The Piper must be told we are ready and eager to give him what we owe.’
“He led the way, but alas! they found the inside gate so small, only a child could enter. They called many times, but the only response was the sad little song of the children.
“‘They cannot hear us. What will we do?’ cried one mother on her knees before the gate, trying in vain to push her way through.
“‘The lame boy, where is he?’ queried the Mayor in anguished tones.
“‘Fast asleep in his bed,’ replied his mother.
“‘Go quickly and bring him!’ cried the Mayor. ‘No one knows how soon the Portal may swing shut.’
“The beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him”
“The father and mother hastened to the little home and to the crib where the boy lay sleeping sweetly, bathed in the glow of the silvery light.
“‘Come,’ whispered the mother. ‘Come.’
“The boy opened his eyes, sprang into his father’s arms, and they hastened again up the mountain path.
“‘The door is open,’ he cried joyously. ‘Now I can have some one to play with!’
“‘I hope so,’ breathed the mother. ‘Go in and find the Piper. Tell him we beg of him to let us keep our promise. If he will only give us back our children we will give him all we have!’
“The little fellow limped through the golden portal and could go no farther, for the beauty of the scene almost overwhelmed him.
“Such flowers! Such trees, whose waving branches of tender green were filled with the most beautifully coloured birds he ever saw. Such shrubs, with glistening leaves fluttering timidly in the gentle breeze. Here the moon shone with a light that was never on land or sea.
“The boy gazed in raptures at the marvellous picture, then glanced keenly about for the Piper.
“Presently he saw him standing beneath an arched bower of twining roses, but so sad did he seem the boy hesitated to approach him.
“He took one step, then paused amazed. What had happened? He took another. Oh, joy of joys! He was lame no more! He dropped his crutch and ran. Ran as he had dreamed of running—just as other children did. Ran straight to the Piper.
“As the Piper clasped him in his arms, a heavenly smile lighted his face, and he cried:
“‘At last they have heard the song. You can never know the joy you have brought to me this day. It was my anger that closed the gate and when it clanged to I said, “Never will I forgive them. Never.” Ever since, the gate has been as though frozen shut. I knew why, but I wouldn’t forgive.
“‘I did my best to make the children happy, but you see by their sad song, I failed. Have you noticed them?’
“The boy looked and for the first time really saw his playmates.
“‘What pretty clothes they have!’ he exclaimed.
“‘Yes, the boys are clad in green and silver leaves. The girls’ gowns are of flowers. Flowers such as grow only here. They may have a fresh gown every day, or oftener.’
“‘Where are their homes?’ asked the boy.
“‘They live like the birds in the trees. Look!’
“The boy gazed in wonder up into the tree tops, to see many tiny bowers woven of vines and flowers.
“‘Their beds are of rose petals, the wind rocks them to sleep, and the birds carol their lullaby. The humming birds hover over them as they dream. They drink honey with the bees. They eat luscious fruits such as one dreams of but never sees. With all of this they are not happy. They sigh for their dolls and soldiers, and weep for their parents.
“‘Lately I have felt my anger melting, and last night I suddenly knew I had forgiven all, and that instant the portal swung open. Soon I heard voices, but I could not move. Only a little child could break the spell. I am so thankful you could not follow with the others since only a child could pass through the golden gate to bring the message.’
“‘Oh!’ cried the boy in ecstasy. ‘See! I can walk! I can run! I am so happy!’
“‘Yes,’ said the Piper, ‘I know. No one could be lame here now that the gate is open. This is the land of harmony; but tell me, boy, why did you come? Do tell me they sent you.’
“‘They did. They want to keep their promise.’
“‘They do? Will they give me the gold?’ he asked eagerly.
“‘Oh, yes, they want to. They beg of you to take it.’
“‘Then tell them when the mountain path is paved with guilders I will bring the children.’
“The boy bounded away, but as he passed the children he was at once swept into the ring and in some mysterious way he also was clad in a garb of silvery leaves, while on his head was placed a crown of wondrous beauty, a crown of flowers which breathed forth a rare perfume.
“As they danced round and round, the song was no longer sad but rang out like joyous bells, filling the air with showers of gladness, while the Piper piped, and the birds twittered and trilled the gayest of tunes.
“They danced nearer and nearer the portal, and presently saw without, a sea of hungry faces and many outstretched arms.
“The boy shook himself loose and ran through the gate. With shining eyes he cried:
“‘See! I can walk! I can run! And I have more good news, but you must obey. Bring the gold quickly and you will soon have your children.’
“They rubbed their eyes and stared, then turned and ran down the mountain. Ran faster than the rats ever dreamed of running. Soon they came trooping up again each carrying a bag of gold.
“‘The Piper said when the path was paved with gold he would bring the children. Quick! I will help!’ cried the boy.
“You should have seen them dropping the gold pieces in place, and in a twinkling the bags were empty and the road was one glittering ribbon.
“The boy ran through the portal to the Piper, crying: ‘It is finished; come.’
“The Piper hurried to the entrance, looked down the shining path, paused, and waited. The silence was tense, while all gazed into his face wonderingly.
“‘The road is not finished,’ he said gently. ‘Look for yourselves. Some one has kept back gold that is still due. We will wait.’
“The Mayor flushed and knelt at his feet. ‘It was I. I couldn’t give quite all. Forgive me and I will bring more than enough.’
“He strode down the path, soon to return carrying a leathern bag which clanked as he walked. At the feet of the Piper he shook out the golden circlets, which seemed bewitched as one after another rolled toward the empty spaces, where they spun round and round like so many golden tops, and finally settled into place. Those remaining piled themselves about the Piper’s feet.
“The onlookers gazed in astonishment till suddenly they heard heavenly music. At once they stood either side of the golden pathway, watching the Piper followed by the children.
“‘All the little boys and girls,
With rosy cheeks and flaxen curls,
Tripping and skipping ran merrily after
The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.’
“On and on they went, their tiny feet treading silently the golden ribbon.
“The parents, with tears of joy streaming o’er their faces, followed, enraptured with the magic notes.
“Where the gleaming pathway ended the Piper paused, the parents embraced their little ones, then knelt at the feet of the Piper.
“‘Arise!’ he cried in beseeching tones. ‘I, too, am guilty. We have both made amends. Let us forget all wrongdoing and be happy. You have emptied your coffers but you are richer than ever.
“‘I do not want the gold. Let it lie a glittering pathway to the land of joy, where the children may dance and play to their hearts’ content.
“‘As long as we do right the Golden Portal will never close. Farewell.’
“With these words he turned and walked toward the mountain door. The parents hurried to their homes, to find the boys ordering out the wooden soldiers, and the dolls drowsily smiling into mother eyes and listening to the far-away lullaby of the dear Pied Piper.”
As the Story Elf finished she again vanished, and during the silence that followed the dolls thought they still heard the Piper’s far away lullaby.
As it died away Allspice cried:
“How lovely to bring the children home again. I’m glad she told us about it, for I always felt sorry for the parents and the dear little lame boy all alone.
“I hope we can have her come again.”
“Perhaps we may, but now we must go on with our stories.
“You know an old poem tells us little girls are made of sugar and spice and all things nice. Therefore, since Sugar is classed so closely with Spice, we might let that sweet lady talk to us for a while.”