Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Writing (01/11/07)
-
TITLE: Mein Name Ist... | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ruth Neilson
01/14/07 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
Mein Name ist Werner Weiss.
That single sentence was an act of rebellion. He had performed this act every day since he was herded first to the Łódź Ghetto and then finally into Auschwitz, often writing on a brick with a piece of charcoal. Werner found himself immediately smudging away the writing, ignoring the smearing ink.
Mein Name ist Werner Weiss.
“Herr Weiss, are you okay?” One of the orderlies, Fräulein Adalia asked. She smiled at him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail and her green eyes were studying him with concern.
“Ja, I am fine.”
“I’m new...but I want to know your story. Why do you constantly write that same sentence?”
Mein Name ist Werner Weiss.
Werner frowned and glanced down at his covered left arm. Werner glanced down and fiddled with his sleeve for a long period; Fräulein Adalia was being stubborn. Almost as stubborn as he was when he was determined to survive. Someone had to continue to carry his family name.
Werner took a deep breath and began to write again. He couldn’t speak the horrors that he saw, but he could write them. Maybe it was time for someone else to know the horrors of what he saw.
He paused and glanced into her eyes. Adalia was blinking rapidly. He could see silver tears forming despite her attempts to wipe them away. He could hear her labored breaths as each nightmarish description fell from his pen. After several minutes of writing, Werner dropped the pen and rubbed his hand to ease the cramping.
Mein Name ist Werner Weiss und ich bin ein Jude, der überlebte.*
She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently. “Herr Weiss, that is all that matters. You survived...and I know your story, I will not forget it.”
Werner smiled and with a trembling hand, reached up and patted her hand. With a wane smile, he whispered, “Danke.”
~~
*My name is Werner Weiss and I am a Jew that survived.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
Concerning "wane smile" near the end: I think the word needed there is "wan."
The story's exotic title grabbed me right away. I also appreciate the English translation of the German statement at the story's end. Very powerful and moving. Great job!