♪ Tell me a story
♪ Read me a poem ♪
♪ Wrap it in melody ♪
♪ Sing me the song ♪
♪ Then let me hold it ♪
♪ Deep in my heart ♪
♪ Where it can speak to me ♪
♪ All the day long ♪
♪ The adventure of virtue ♪
♪ The adventure of truth ♪
♪ The thrill of knowing ♪
♪ That it's up to you ♪
♪ Building a new day shining in the sun ♪
♪ This is my story ♪
♪ The adventure has ♪
♪ begun. ♪
Mrs. Redfeather: But, Annie, you've promised and promised
and it's still not done.
Aurora: Uh-oh, sounds like Annie's in trouble.
It's not honest to break your word.
I haven't.
I'll get to it, believe me.
This fence is as good as painted.
Really?
You could have fooled me.
And I suppose this furniture's
as good as painted, too?
Um... I guess not.
Look, I know it's taken awhile.
Two months...
and counting.
But it'll be worth waiting for.
You'll see.
This yard will look like a dream.
This fence will be perfect.
Not a paint drip or a bubble anywhere.
The birds won't even want to perch on it
'cause they won't want to get it dirty.
And the furniture will look so shiny and new
the flowers will feel shabby next to it.
So, when's this backyard magic going to happen?
Next year? Next century?
Nope. Next Saturday no matter what.
You have my word.
And I'll count on you keeping it.
Oh, by the way, you've got some mail.
Thanks, Mom.
Aurora: Hi, Annie.
Guess I'd better perch here while I can.
You heard that, huh?
Guess you think I'm pretty flaky.
Well, this fence sure is.
Mm, your Mom's right.
It needs help.
Yeah. This paint job's going to be a full day's work.
Good thing I don't have anything else
planned Saturday.
( gasps )
I'm invited to Janelle's birthday party!
Yes!
Lunch at La Concha-- The new Mexican place!
I've been dying to go there.
Then miniature golfing
and birthday cake back at Janelle's.
This will be so much fun.
"Please save Saturday June ..."
Oh, no!
That's next Saturday.
I'll just have to postpone the painting.
I'll tell Mom something really important came up.
She'll understand.
Won't she?
Sorry, Annie, but I don't think that'll fly.
Oh, you're right.
I've got to paint the fence, but I can't miss this party.
And I can't be in two places at once.
Unless...
I promised Mom the painting would get done.
I never said who would do it.
Maybe I can hire someone.
A measly bucks.
Oh, great.
By the time I buy Janelle's present
I've got bucks to pay for painting, max.
No one's going to work all day for that.
Mom's just got to let me put it off.
It's a nightmare.
I've painted myself into a corner
and I'm too broke to get out.
Hey, why don't you hire me?
You wouldn't have to pay me any money.
Just a few dozen brownies.
Of course, I've never painted a fence before.
But I have painted lots of rocks.
Which means I'm still left holding the paintbrush.
Maybe it's better you can't pay someone else
to keep your promise for you.
'Cause you might gain more
from keeping it yourself.
That's right, Annie.
What's worth more in the long run?
Being honest or going to a party?
Zach: What party?
The party I'm going to miss to keep a date with a paint can.
Unless you know someone who'd work wonders
with a fence and outdoor furniture for bucks.
Ta-da!
That's me-- Mr. Wonder Worker.
You saying you'll do it?
You bet.
bucks would just pay
for that new CD I've been wanting.
Of course, you could sweeten the deal with some lemonade.
All you can drink.
Deal.
Zach: Hey, Annie, I'm getting thirsty out here.
Lemonade coming right up.
I made you a whole pitcherful
'cause you're going to have
a long day ahead of you...
I don't believe it!
You're almost done.
But you can't be.
You've only been here an hour.
It's impossible.
Told you I was a Wonder Worker.
So, you think you could pay me that bucks now?
I thought I'd stop by the music store
on my way home.
bucks? For an hour's worth of work?
For the fence and the furniture.
That's what you promised, isn't it?
Yeah, but...
But what?
But I'm going to be late for the party.
We'll settle this later, okay?
I promised Mom a really good job.
And it can't be that good if you did it that fast.
Oh, yeah?
Bet you can't find one paint drip
or a bubble anywhere.
Hmm.
Guess not.
So, I finally get my bucks?
No. Seven.
It was going to be five
but since it looks this nice
I figure I should pay you more.
You should pay me what you said.
Okay, eight bucks.
That's my final offer.
Your offer was $.
You're cheating me.
That was for a whole day's work.
But it only took you an hour.
You are cheating me.
So give me your honest opinion, Sock.
Who is the cheater, me or Zach?
Uh, I'll have to think about that.
Hmm?
I think I'd think better after a tummy rub.
Especially if my tummy was full.
Are you asking for a bribe?
He'd sell his soul for a bag of cookies.
I would not!
But I'd definitely rent it out.
Forget it. Forget it.
So, Ari, what do you think?
Hmm, it's a tough one.
Honesty is the wisest policy.
You did make a bargain, Annie.
Tell it to Annie.
She won't pay me my bucks.
Just 'cause that painting job
didn't take as long as she thought.
But no kid gets paid bucks an hour.
It's just not fair.
That's what the badgers of Hamelin thought
about the deal they made with the Pied Piper.
Was that the fellow
who picked a peck of pickled peppers?
( chuckling ): No, that was Peter Piper.
Oh.
The town of Hamelin had a serious rat problem.
But the real rats in town weren't vermin--
they were town officials wearing ermine.
Uh... what's ermine?
A special kind of fur.
In the Old World in the old times
it was used to trim fancy robes
like the Mayor and the Town Council wore.
You mean, these badger officials
wore someone else's fur?
Oh, that's not all they did.
( shrieks )
They also made lots of promises
and broke them all.
They promised to repair the broken cobblestones
on the town's streets
plant flowers in the town square
buy books for the schoolhouse
build a bridge over the river.
Of course, to do these wonderful things
the Mayor and Council needed to have meetings.
Lunch meetings.
Dinner meetings.
( belches )
These fat cat badgers spent so much on themselves
there was nothing left to spend on the town
so they raised the taxes.
But they raised their salaries, too.
Soon there was no more money left to keep their promises.
But that didn't stop them
from making more promises than ever.
And those promises sounded so fine
the townsfolk never quite caught on.
That is, until the rats came.
At first there were only a couple of rats.
( screams )
The Mayor and Council promised to buy traps
to catch them.
But instead
they bought another dinner, and the rats
seeing there were no traps, went and got their friends--
who got their friends--
and instead of a rat here and there
soon they were everywhere.
And when it seemed the rats would take over the town
the citizens of Hamelin finally called a meeting
of their own.
While you fat cats have been sitting on your hands
the rats have been scaring our babies
cleaning out our cupboards
nesting in our beds.
The citizens of Hamelin have had enough.
If you don't get rid of every last rat
in hours
we are getting rid of you.
( all agreeing )
My dear, Gerta
there are so many rats and so little time.
We'll need at least a few weeks.
You've had too much time already.
One day more.
( angry shouting )
But... but, Gerta...
Wait!
( yelling )
Grandpa, are you done working?
Can you go fishing with me now?
No, Klaus.
Maybe tomorrow.
But you said that yesterday.
You're always saying that.
Please, Grandpa, you promised.
And I'll keep my promise... soon.
But right now
we must meet and find a way
to get rid of these rats
Or we'll lose our jobs.
( screams )
Not to mention our lunch.
I say we set traps at once.
Oh, too late for that, Johann.
There aren't enough traps in this whole country
to catch them all.
Perhaps we could bring in some rat specialists.
Ach! No time!
They'd have to do a study; write a report.
It would take at least six months
even if we could afford their fee.
Which reminds me, Dietrich
what can we afford?
Ah, I have to go check our money bags.
( grunting )
These are heavier than I remember.
We're doomed!
Excuse me, Your Honors.
I hear you have a rat problem.
Perhaps I can help.
Oh, then, by all means, come in.
And who might you be?
You don't look much like a rat catcher
or a scientist, either.
I am known as The Pied Piper.
My music weaves a strange spell on those who hear it.
No creature can resist it.
I have freed many a town from many a pest.
And, for the right price
I'll be happy to make short work of your rats, as well.
How short?
Can they be gone in a day?
In an hour.
And what is "the right price"?
gold pieces.
Which, judging by your dinnerware
you can easily afford.
( chuckling )
Will you excuse us, so we can discuss it?
Dietrich: We can't pay him that!
It will clean out the town chest!
We are wasting our time.
I say we send him packing.
And I say we agree to his bargain.
That silly old pipe of his won't rid this town of one rat
let alone thousands.
But it will give us someone else to blame for our failure.
When the rats aren't gone
we can say the Piper broke his promise
and buy ourselves more time without spending a penny.
( laughing ): That's a great idea!
So smart and clever!
Very well.
We agree to your fee.
But you must get rid of every single rat in Hamelin.
If you do, you shall have your money.
Best start counting it, then
'cause I'll soon hold up my end of this bargain.
( playing music )
( screaming )
( Piper playing )
( sighs )
I wish Grandpa was here.
( laughing )
( laughing ): Look, Grandpa.
The rats are going swimming.
It looks like the rats are sunk.
( whimpers ) And so are we.
Yes.
I'm afraid we shall have to pay the Piper.
You've done it!
Actually, I've done it.
And now I'd like my reward.
Here you go, my good fellow.
Only gold pieces?!
Our bargain was for .
( gasping )
You weren't serious, were you?
Why, no one pays gold pieces for an hour's work!
After all, it's my job
to guard our good citizens' money.
Now, what kind of mayor would I be
if I paid you a fee like that?
An honest one.
Which you, obviously, sir, are not.
Good citizens of Hamelin, I ask you
is it honest for this piper
to expect gold pieces for a little piping?
All: No!
Well, I ask you-- is it honest for this mayor
to make a promise
and then break it?
No, sir.
But he always does that.
It is up to you, good people
to make sure your mayor keeps his bargain
or you will have to face the music.
He's bluffing.
He can't pipe the rats back out of the river.
Get out!
Very well.
But don't say I didn't warn you.
( Piper playing ) Your Honor, look--
Your grandson is following the Piper.
What of it?
Klaus always did like music.
I'm sure he'll turn back in a moment.
What's this?
Other children are following him, too!
( playing beautiful music )
After them!
( Piper continues playing )
( panting ): Children! Stop!
He's not going to drown them in the river
like he did the rats?!
No, look!
He's heading towards a mountain!
There's no trail!
It's sheer rock!
( gasping and huffing )
You're right.
They'll have to turn back.
The game is up.
Children! Come back!
Come back!
( townsfolk shouting )
( crying )
( huffing ): Where's the Piper?
Why did the children follow him?
( sobbing )
His music...
promised he would take us to a wonderful place...
where no one is ever sick or sad
or lame anymore
and the breeze is always gentle.
And the flowers are always bright.
But... I could not keep up
and now I fear I'll never get there.
And I fear we'll never get our children back.
Don't say that!
This must be some trick.
He can't have taken them that far.
We must put out the word.
If he'll just bring them back
we'll pay him anything!
I bet that mayor wishes he were more honest with his grandson
and the Piper.
Well, the townsfolk weren't too honest, either.
They could've made him pay the Piper
but they didn't.
That's right.
And because of their dishonesty
they lost something far more valuable than money--
their children.
Well, I think the Piper was mean to take revenge like that.
And besides, he was overcharging.
Just like Zach.
You still don't get it, do you?
Okay, fine. Don't pay me.
You'll be sorry.
Why, are you going to get me back?
No, Annie...
I just won't believe anything you say, ever!
Okay, fine!
Is it fine, Annie?
Sounds like you're also in danger of losing something
more important than money--
your integrity.
Not to mention a good friend.
Yeah, right.
Hey, that's not how it's supposed to end.
No, this is how it's supposed to end:
"So, Willy, let me and you
"be wipers of scores out with all men
especially pipers."
"And whether they pipe us free from rats or from mice
"if we've promised them aught
let us keep our promise."
Mom, that's the nicest wedding cake you've ever made!
It must've taken you forever.
No, but it took longer than I thought.
About twice as long as normal.
I think I'll take a picture of it for my album.
You're charging the normal price for this cake?
But it took you extra long.
Shouldn't you charge extra money?
No, Annie.
That's what I agreed on and I'm going to keep my word.
My integrity is worth far more than a few extra dollars.
It's priceless.
Annie: "Another fine cake from a fine person.
"We know we can always trust your work
and your word."
Zach: I just won't believe anything you say, ever!
Oh, no!
Annie: Dear Zach...
"You are invited to a party at Plato's Peak."
So, uh, what's the occasion?
It's an appreciation party-- for you.
To thank a fine person for a fine painting job.
Annie: "Dear Zach
"I know I can always trust your work and your word.
"I'm sorry you couldn't trust mine.
"Here's your $.
"Please forgive me
and I hope I haven't lost your friendship."
No way, Annie.
Ooh, great!
Let's eat.
I made us all some sandwiches and lemonade.
And I baked you a whole bag of cookies, Zach
as an extra thank you.
Oh, no, you don't!
Aw, just let me hold this, please?
I won't steal a single cookie.
I promise.
Okay.
Hey, come back!
You're breaking your word!
I said I wouldn't steal a single cookie.
I never said I wouldn't steal the whole bag.
Eh, I never should've trusted him.
I know-- which is why I hid the cookies in my backpack.
Hey! These aren't cookies!
They're-they're-they're trash bags!
Hey, no fair! You cheated me!
( all laughing )