A village in the northern province of Palencia recently came up with a plan to get rid of the plague of moles which has been hampering local farmers for the past season. Some members of the tiny village of Villotilla decided on emulating the Pied Piper of Hamelin with a fiesta to attract a flautist whose music might persuade the critters to go and dig elsewhere, or better still, jump into the river and drown. In the event, about a hundred appropriately dressed flautists from all over Castilla and Leon, together with their lady doncellas, arrived on Sunday 16th of September to blow the rodents away. The village-folk turned out in the best and most festive rags. Some of the local children, cunningly disguised as mice, allowed themselves to be chased into the river, followed by more than one satisfied musician. 'Only up to our ankles' said one sodden child later. A good time was had by all.
As yet, no word from the moles. Or maybe they were voles. Perhaps it worked and they all decided to leave for quieter pastures...