“‘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.