In the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the city of Hamelin was overrun by rats.

According to the tale, the rats infested the city, causing distress and damage to the town's food supplies. The Pied Piper arrived and offered to rid the town of the vermin for a fee. He played his pipe, luring all the rats into the Weser River, where they drowned.

• Infestation: The rats overran the city.
• Destruction: The rats caused damage to food supplies and property.
• Drowning: The Pied Piper lured all the rats to their demise in the river.

You can read more about the Pied Piper of Hamelin on websites like:

• Britannica