The Pied Piper of Hamelin is RB’s best known poem. He wrote it for Willy MacReady (10 years old; son of a good friend), who had to stay at home due to a terrible cough–and who was VERY bored. RB wrote this and “The Cardinal and His Dog” and asked Willy to illustrate them–which he did. (Illustrations now owned by the ABL&M)