What is National Rat Catcher’s Day?
On July 22nd, the Pied Piper of Hamelin's tale is commemorated on National Rat Catcher's Day. The day also gives the opportunity to thank all present-day exterminators.
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Residents of Hamelin, Germany, hired a strangely dressed man to rid their village of rats, according to the folktale. Hamelin's Pied Piper of Hamelin did so by playing his flute. The Pied Piper returned after finishing the job, but the townsfolk refused to pay — so the Pied Piper returned. The Pied Piper played his flute while the children followed him once more. The children were missing, never to return, with the Pied Piper.
Although a harrowing tale of revenge doesn't seem to be something to celebrate, someone found a way. Festivals and re-enactments are often included in the day's itinerary, depending on where you live. Hamelin, Germany, is commemorated on June 26th, despite the fact that stories and poems are published on different dates. The festival consists of a pied piper leading children through the city streets. Richard the Rat isn't the only one who can tell his version of the tale.
