The Magic Flute

Pied Piper of Hamlin

The Magic Flute, is a phrase we may have come across at different times. The flute certainly has a reputation for mesmerising and beguiling...

The haunting tones of a village flute seem to be forever engraved on our collective racial memories and legends have been passed down from generation to generation, century after century.


Europe has it's tale of the Pied Piper of Hamlin...
It happened in 1284, when a mysterious man appeared in the village of Hamlin and offered to clear the entire town of all rats and mice for a sizable fee. The amount was agreed on and he took out his flute and began to play.

Immediately the unwanted rodents of all shapes and sizes began to gather around him. He continued to play until he thought he had gathered them all. He then walked to the nearby river, marched straight into the current, followed by the mice and rats, all of which subsequently drowned and were washed away.

After the village had been cleared of it's plague, the local people kept putting off paying the piper until one day, he decided to take revenge.  He donned a bright red hat and began to play in the village square. However, this time, not rodents but children were drawn to him. They followed him out of the town and into a cavern in a nearby mountain and were never seen again...

India has its own tales of the Lord Krishna, enticing and beguiling the Gopis.. In ancient Hindu traditions the Gopis were cow herding woman who were irresistibly drawn to Krishna by the music that he played on his flute. These woman became very devout followers and disciples.

Flutes are also used in India to entice snakes out of their burrows. Many will have heard of the snake charmers who roam about the country side showing off their prowess to the local inhabitants and thereby earning a living.

As one of the oldest known human instruments ever to be played and enjoyed by man, the flute has accumulated, over countless centuries, a rich collection of stories, beliefs and associations that put it into a unique category all of its own.

Remembering this enriches our learning experience and can increase our determination and also inspire us. We may not wish to become 'pied pipers' but we can certainly hope to one day, with effort and perseverance, give a good deal on listening pleasure to many, many people...