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| Jewish woman, boy in Polish ghetto |
Today at "komplety" we had a history lesson and all the pupils had books with them. Because Mama and Mrs. Emma were to stay longer in the city searching for Dr. Zygmunt, Maryla had to look after their children and could not come to school with me.
As the two Zdunczyk sisters lived close-by on Okopowa St. and my parents allowed me to be friends with them, we arranged to go home together. It was after 4 pm when the lesson finished and we left the house at Chlodna St. one by one, having arranged to meet some distance down the street.
I was the first to leave and stopped along the street by a shop newly re-opened after restoration as if I was looking at the display.
Reflected in the window glass I saw the figure of a man in civilian clothes on the other side of the street. He was strolling along, observing the house which I had just left. I did not know if he was a secret policeman or Gestapo.
So I went into the shop and asked about something. I did not know what to do. How to warn the girls who still remained there, and the teacher? I decided, however, to leave the shop. I saw a boy more or less Josek's age, maybe a little younger or a bit older. As I passed him I whispered: "Do you know a school near here?"
He glanced at me sideways like and animal and answered at once: "Sure! What's up, miss? And I know you. I'm Samuel - you know, the one from Wiener's family, with a shop on Pawia. Quick, tell me what is it? - Oh, that bloke across the street?
I've had my eye on him. I was just dashing over to warn them but that 'oldie'" - pointing to an old lady bending down by the next gateway and picking up potatoes - "caught me with her basket and spilled the potatoes on the pavement. I was helping her pick them up, then you came out and I was too late. Sorry!"
"You push off to the 'oldie'", he ordered, "and pretend you're picking up those potatoes with her. That way you can move to the gateway, dive in there and get up the front stairs quick, to the top floor, and wait there for me. I'll see to all the rest!"
We left the shop going in opposite directions. I obeyed his instructions knowing that boys like that often looked after us and warned us. There were many such small but wonderful "heroes" in Warsaw from the beginning of the war. Some survived, others fell.
And to those who sacrificed themselves for the Cause belongs the utmost RESPECT, FAME AND REMEMBRANCE!
I don't know how long I waited. It did not seem long before he returned from somewhere up the yard with a group of girls and two lady teachers. He told us at once to give him our history books. He led the teachers away along some route he knew, first dividing the girls into three groups and telling us to go out into the street "like it was nothing".
Some of the girls were scared. We did not know who should lead the way. I decided that, together with the Zdunczyk sisters, we would be the first. So we moved out bravely, though with thumping hearts. We had passed four gateways when we heard quickened footsteps behind us and the German words: "Halt, Fräulein, bitte!"
We stood stock still. There were no fewer than four of them, all in civilian clothes. They told us at once to open our satchels and show them our books. We did so. They asked us where we were going. Without hesitation we said that we were going to evening trade school located on Ogrodowa St. and that this was the first time as the school had just opened.
Because we live in the same area and some shops have re-opened, we dropped in to buy some sweets but there was an accident when a boy nudged an old lady with a basket of potatoes, so two of us already in the shop stayed to see what goodies they could choose, while I helped the old woman collect her potatoes.
During this time the boy disappeared. That is all I can say.
They looked at us with piercing eyes and twisted their lapels to show us badges with the Nazi swastika on them. They shouted some more about youth causing them problems and ordered us not to go to school by a roundabout route because of shops but to take the shortest way. We replied that we would obey their instructions, knowing in advance that the present location was already "burnt" in any case.
When we got back to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Zdunczyk we were very surprised to find all three books already there, together with a note from Samuel as follows: "Don't carry all these books. Can't you manage with one? My father teaches me the Talmud from his book. It's enough and I learn everything pretty well anyway. What a load I had to carry for you to-day! Oh, these girls!"
Mrs. Zdunczyk gave him an appropriate reward although she told us he proudly tried to refuse, saying that it was his "patriotic duty" to defend anyone who was in need. All the same, it was explained to him that times are hard now and he should accept what others offer for his family, which is numerous and not so wealthy. Eventually he let himself be persuaded. Mrs. Zdunczyk said that he added before leaving:
"The young ladies must never look at me, mustn't know my face. But if they need anything they should leave a note in my father's - old Wiener's - soap works. Everything will be done as needed. And you should know that Samuel will defend you always and everywhere. Shalom aleichem!"
On returning home I naturally related my adventure. Maryla began to sniff, but I don't know whether from fear for me or because of the heroism of the resourceful Samuel.
Mama prepared an envelope right away and asked Freda to take it to Mr. Wiener. Because it was getting on towards evening and they lived on the other side of Pawia St. (in the direction of the Pawiak prison) the message was put off until the next day. I guessed that apart from words of thanks the envelope also contained money.
Going to bed I hugged Mama goodnight as usual - and she hugged me. At the same time I thanked her for the gesture on my behalf. Mama was exceptionally tender tonight and told me:
"Dear child, one should behave like that if you still have something to share and someone to share it with. Especially for a noble deed such as the boy's." She went on: "Analysing today's events and with Papa's approval, we consider you are now sufficiently mature to move about the city by yourself rather than draw attention by having Maryla helping you. And so, from tomorrow, you may go to school with your friends. And Maryla will occupy herself more with Sulenka, who somehow seems to be fading away before our eyes. There is no sense in putting Maryla at risk also, especially after today."
"But remember," she went on: "Courage! Courage, not foolhardiness. Think everything through before you do it, although sometimes quick decisions are necessary. I believe you have inherited these traits from your father. So, believing you will endure, I am letting you go - not altogether yet, but partly at least - from beneath Nanny's wings. You are maturing quickly. It is very likely that we will have to part with Papa for his own good. Perhaps by then you will be strong enough to support me when I weaken.
"You must share all observations, incidents, with us at home. Irma, I myself, and all older persons will advise you if there is something you do not know. So in the name of God and under His protection I bless you today on your first independent steps. Be sensible, continue to be good, but from now on mature independently.
"And now goodnight, love. I can see you are tired. Always remember one thing - pay attention not only to that which is in front or beside you, but be sure also to see what is happening behind you."
Mama's last warning became deeply engraved on my brain. I could not sleep for a long time that night and when I eventually did I had a nightmare.
The following morning Nanny awakened me with a soft, delicate kiss, telling me that everything was ready and it was time to get up for school. I rose, washed quickly, dressed and was ready to go a few minutes later. Josek was waiting for me in the hall to wish me luck since I was going by myself for the first time. He added: "How happy I'd be if they'd let me do that! Perhaps I would manage to find Papa's hiding place?"
Oh God, I thought. How can I help this dear boy? I hugged him and told him they would let him go by himself sooner than he expected. He laughed more warmly than he had done for some time and replied: "Oh, how sweet you are, Lala! May your words turn to gold which could save many people."
At the time I did not ponder on what he told me. He liked to discuss and debate things and I was used to this. And so I went out, pleased in a way to be "free" and not restricted by the will of adults who always assisted me until now.
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