Write by the Cards: Day Eleven
A Choice
If you’re new to The Rebel MFA Way, welcome! This is my daily work for my Write by the Cards: 30 Day Challenge that I’m hosting. Learn more here. Scroll down to the end to see my behind-the-scenes commentary and source material.
The character faced a choice: to give in to the temptation or {draw a card}.
Hamelin was a town caught in a fever. Narrow, winding streets bore the stench of rot, and within the walls of each creaking house, pale-faced families kept close to their fires, huddling against a relentless invasion of rats. Each evening, townsfolk swore they could hear a low scratching beneath their floorboards, a quiet, ceaseless reminder that their town had begun to decay from within.
The mayor, grand and loud in his promises, strode through the streets, assuring them, “A solution is coming.” But no solution came—until the day a stranger appeared at the edge of town. He was dressed in brilliant hues of purple, blue and red.
His hat, tall and adorned with a peacock feather, swayed slightly as he approached the bustling square, drawing the wary eyes of the townspeople. He carried no instrument but rather what appeared to be a wooden flute, its surface polished to a gleaming shine.
“Fear not, weary souls,” he called out, his voice smooth and beguiling. “I am here to set things right.” The crowd shifted uneasily on their feet, exchanging glances filled with uncertainty.
“Who are you?” barked an elder, his back hunched but his voice still sharp as a blade. “What can you possibly do against the plague of vermin that haunts us?”
The stranger smiled, revealing teeth as white as ivory. “I am known by many names,” he answered enigmatically. “But for you, I am simply the Piper. And I can help you with your problem for a small price.”
The Mayor, astonished at his luck grasped the piper’s hand and nodded to the crowd. “Yes, help has arrived. I’ll see that he’s paid handsomely.”
His voice, confident, rippled through the gathered townsfolk, and they clung to it, hopeful, desperate.
With a flourish, the piper raised his flute to his lips. The townsfolk held their breath, a collective tension weaving through the air, electrifying the atmosphere. The Piper’s fingers danced deftly over the smooth wood, and a haunting melody unfurled beneath the evening sky.
The sound curled around the corners of buildings and slipped through windowpanes, wrapping itself around every heart in Hamelin.
At first, nothing happened. The rats remained hidden, lurking in shadows and crevices, oblivious to the stirring of the townsfolk. But then—slowly at first—a shimmer of movement caught their attention. The townsfolk turned in unison toward the gutter where a swarm of rats emerged, their beady eyes glinting in the fading light. They paused, as if caught in a trance, their twitching noses and quivering whiskers momentarily still under the enchantment of the Piper’s tune.
The melody swelled, its notes spiraling higher, beckoning the creatures from their darkened lairs. One by one, the rats began to move, drawn irresistibly toward the piper like moths to a flame.
It was then that the piper began to move — gracefully even — toward the river’s edge. He continued to play his flute as the rats followed him. The townsfolk, captivated and curious followed the piper and the rats until they reached the edge of town, and the river appeared, its current angry and volatile.
The piper did not stop playing his flute but the melody changed. It became more choppy and staccato, more urgent.
The townsfolk watched with both awe and horror as the rats begin to jump into the river, drowning themselves.
As the last of the rats disappeared beneath the churning surface, a cheer erupted from the townsfolk.
They rushed toward the Piper, joy mingling with disbelief as they realized their nightmare had come to an end.
“Thank you! Thank you!” they shouted, voices rising into a chorus of gratitude as they approached him. “You have saved us!”
“Aye,” he said. “I have indeed saved you from your pestilence. Now it is time to pay your piper.”
The townsfolk turned to the mayor and a smirk crossed his face.
“Pay you? With what?” the mayor scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the crowd, their grateful faces now shifting to confusion. “You really expect us to part with our coins after such a charade?”
The piper’s expression darkened. “I require no riches,” he said, his voice suddenly low and resonant, “only what is due to me.”
The townsfolk hesitated, glancing at one another, but the mayor remained unimpressed. “You came here with your song and tricks, and now you demand coin? You should be charged with witchcraft.”
“Promises were made,” the piper said, “and promises broken bring consequences.”
But the mayor only laughed, waving him off, and the townsfolk—nervous and relieved to be rid of the rats—turned away with him.
Then, as the Piper raised his flute again and begin to play once more. The townsfolk looked around, half-expecting to see the drowned rats climb up out of the river.
But no! After a few minutes passed of the piper’s melody, they heard the unmistakable patter of shoes on pavement.
The first child appeared and then the next one and the next. They moved as if enchanted.
Their faces, innocent and serene, stared forward, unblinking, as they walked from their homes and into the open air toward the river’s edge.
The townsfolk wept, pleading with the Piper to stop, to spare their children, but he played on, his gaze steady, never meeting the eyes of those who had betrayed him.
When the last child entered the murky river, the piper stood tall and addressed the crowd. “A broken promise cannot be mended and debts unpaid find their own reckoning. Beware of those who weave deceitful tales and use manipulation to gain your trust. Instead, put your faith in the ones who take action and work tirelessly to fulfill their promises.”
Behind-the-Scenes Commentary
When I pulled this card, I literally laughed out loud because…
HOW. FUCKING. PERFECT.
I think we are currently living in a “Pied Piper” moment. Even the guidebook description for this card felt SO in the moment for us:
This card is a reminder not to be manipulated by others. There will be people who attempt to control you -- do not let them. Strengthen your skills of discernment so you are able to clearly see people for who they really are. Additionally, understand the resulting toxicity from broken promises (you breaking promises to people and others breaking their promises to you).
Honestly, I wish life followed the “fairytale comeuppance” that its villains receive. I truly believe that in a few years, those who put their blind faith in such a horrendous person will have to face their own personal pied piper. I hope it doesn’t cost them as much as it did for the townsfolk of Hamelin.