Small Tales from a Big War

Small in volume, each of these seven tales paints its own picture.One leads the reader into a German air-raid shelter and through chaos to survival. Another deals with this girl of four, timid by nature, waiting for her father's return after another bombing at the end of World War II. The third glimpse into life at that time touches on the plight of a Polish woman bound to walk back to her homeland. In a further episode, a Russian soldier crosses our path and leaves a word of reconciliation between two people formerly declared enemies. "First Hanukkah," now after the war, also conveys how goodwill, in a seemingly small way, can make a difference. There, simple dialogue between the girl and her mother reflects some of the history of that period. We later accompany them into their first tiny abode after homelessness, with postwar life now promising.The last tale, "Crossings," recaptures events right after this big war, as they impacted the child's and her mother's lives. It includes their final escape from the Soviet-occupied part of Germany to the coveted American zone.What is remembered here is but an example of what (if not worse) is thrown on uncounted civilians because of war-on whichever side. For the little girl in these stories, the happenings had a lifelong impact. But apart from hardships, the incidents of human understanding had taught her more and proved of deeper worth.

-- Christine Kramer