The Children’s Train

Hans picked up a letter. “Here’s the last letter I received from my mother. ‘Dear Hans, I am sad to say Oma passed away of typhus. Many people in the Jewish Residential District in Dinsdorf are being deported to another camp in Poland, and I’m sure our turn will be coming soon. This will be my last letter to you. How our beautiful lives came to this point, I don’t understand. Here we are, facing what will surely be the end, apart and frightened. Please know deep down in your heart how much we love you and how happy we are that your life was saved. Make the most of it. With all my love, Your Mother.’”

When Hans looked up, Peter stood next to him, his face solemn and searching. “That’s why I came,” Peter said.

“Why?” Hans said.

“I was angry to leave Germany. Now, I understand why our parents sent us away, to save us. But Hitler will not be stopped unless we do something. We have to stand up to him to save others.”

“So, what do you want us to do?” Hans asked.

“Fight the Nazis,” Peter said.

“You’re kidding, right?” Hans asked, smiling.

“I’ve joined the rebels,” Peter said.

“Jewish rebels?” Hans asked.

Peter nodded.

“Aren’t you scared?” Stephen asked.

“All the time, but I’m more scared of doing nothing.”

“We’re going back to the hostel next week. We miss London, even with the risk of bombs, but that’s about as brave as I get. I’ll never set foot on German soil again,” Hans said.

“I’m sorry, Peter,” Stephen said. “My parents wouldn’t want me to risk my life again, after all they went through to save me. I may be the only one left from my family.”

“You were always so bold,” Peter said, disappointedly.

“Not like you, Peter,” Stephen said. “You were never afraid to be yourself.”

“When did you become a fearless German hero?” Hans asked with a smile.

“I’m a late bloomer.”