Face
at the
Window
Janet Roberts
Smashwords Edition - Copyright 2011 Janet Roberts
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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***
16, Rue Yafo
94142 JERUSALEM
ISRAEL
5th February 2005
General Manager
Golden Books Publishing House
14a Howden Street
London W1
Dear Sir
I hope you are not offended by us sending you these letters. Our mother has recently died, at the age of 75, and on going through her things we found this bundle. They were at the very bottom of her handbag, and it appears that she kept them close to her throughout her lifetime.
We were unaware of the correspondence until after her death, but we felt they were sufficiently important that we would like to have them published. We have heard you are a good publishing company.
If, of course you consider them unsuitable we would be very grateful if you would kindly return them to the above address.
With very good wishes
Hannah Kapski
Hannah Kapski and on behalf of her three sisters.
***
Chapter 1
It was a glimpse, no more and yet the young boy was convinced that he'd seen a face, just for a moment. Of course it was ridiculous! Everyone knew that the old print works was empty. In fact it had been vacant and unused for as long as Aleksander could remember. It must have been the reflection of a cloud or something he reasoned, but he just didn't feel very convinced.
When he got home his mother was standing chatting to the woman next door, a not too unusual occurrence.
"But think of the amount of food they'd need. Not just once a week, but every day!"
"I know. It's hard enough to get enough to eat, without worrying about another family." Aleksander's mother nodded. She was only too aware of the shortage the war had brought to their town.
"And what about money? That's what I'd want to know. They want a cabbage - so they need the money to pay for it."
In a low voice Aleksander's mother almost whispered
"I've heard they've got jewellery - you know - nice things" and she said it as though it was some sort of secret.
The neighbour folded her arms across her chest
"Still got to have someone take it and find a buyer - and everyone's short of money"
"True enough. What times we're living through! Still better get the lad something to eat, he's doubtless starving as usual" and she rumpled Aleksander's blond hair.
As soon as the door was closed and the pair was alone inside the young boy turned to his mother and said,
"What were you and Mrs Pachenkov talking about?"
As she hurried over to the small stove his mother said
"Oh there's a silly rumour going around that there are Jews hiding in the town. Can you believe such a thing? What will they be dreaming up next? I know of course they're having a really bad time, and hundreds have just been marched out of the town to goodness knows where, but hiding - now that's just impossible."
His mother shook her head, but the boy was absolutely stunned, and was thankful that her back was towards him, as he felt his startled look would have forced her to ask questions. Instead he remained silent, but now he was quite sure. He had seen a face, however briefly, at that window high up in the empty building! A Jewish person was hiding from the Gestapo! How exciting was that!
As he sat eating his bowl of thin soup he watched his mother as she scoured a cross on the bottom of the loaf, before cutting it into chunks. It was good to dip his crust into the hot liquid, for it made both taste better.
And all the while he kept thinking about the face he was now quite sure he had seen at the warehouse window. He was increasingly sure it was a girl, with dark hair, perhaps his age, he thought, but it was hard to be sure when the glimpse had been so fleeting.
One thing he was increasingly concerned about. If he had seen her, then other people might too. They were in real danger for Jews were being killed without a moment's hesitation here in Belorussia.
After the meal he said, as casually as he could
"May I go to Andros' and get him to help with some homework please?"
Aleksander's mother hesitated.
"It's getting late. You know you mustn't be out after curfew. Can't you manage on your own, or perhaps I could help you."
"No, I need Andros' notes" the boy lied, already getting up from the table, and wrapping his scarf round his neck. Before his mother could change her mind, he was off out of the door, and running as fast as his legs would carry him.
Soon he was back on the road where the old print works dominated the skyline. For the first time in his life he walked carefully round the building. Before he'd just strolled passed it, never giving it a thought, but now he wanted to know where the entrance was located. At first he found a large, arched doorway, which must have been the main entrance where hundreds of workers had poured in ready to start a day's work. Now it was all boarded up, and clearly had not been used for years.
But still the boy continued, and at the back he found a small, inconspicuous door, maybe originally used by the caretaker, or some such, unimportant person.
This must be the way in, the boy thought. Now he just had to wait and see who arrived, as he had already decided someone must be helping the Jews every day. He looked around for a good place to sit and wait, not wanting to draw attention to himself or the doorway.
It seemed a long while that he sat on the seat in the little park across from the print works and he was getting increasingly worried that it must be approaching curfew. He knew he would be in big trouble if he was caught outside then, and his mother would, quite rightly be frantic.
Just when he was thinking about giving up and going home, having decided that he'd probably imagined the whole thing, a slim, dark woman approached on a bicycle. Hanging down from the handle bars were several heavy looking bags. She parked the bike behind the building, and Aleksander watched her shadow as she approached the door and disappeared.
He'd been right! There were people inside the building, and someone was helping them.
Now the cold no longer mattered. He just had to wait a bit longer, and then he would approach this person and tell them that the Jews hiding there had to stay away from the window.
Eventually, just as curfew approached the figure reappeared and Aleksander rushed over. Startled the figure turned, and they both gasped in amazement as the boy realised that it was none other than one of the teachers at his school! Of course, she was so nice; it was just the sort of thing she would do.
"Are you going to the Gestapo to report me?" she asked immediately, which really shocked the boy.
"Of course not - what a thing to say!" By now the pair were hurrying along the roadway, the teacher pushing the bike, minus the bags he noticed, and making it clear she wanted to be off.
"It's just that I'm sure I saw a face at the window, and if I saw it so might the enemy. Please tell them to stay away, or block it or something."
By now the teacher had scrambled onto her bike, and started peddling away.
"Thanks" she called out, as she disappeared into the traffic.
***
All evening the boy could think of nothing else. Perhaps there were a whole group of people hiding in the print works. After all it was unlikely that just the girl was in there. But what a task it must be for the teacher to keep bringing them food. He wondered how she did it all, for everything seemed to involve such long queues, and she was working at the school all day. Perhaps other people were helping her. He rather hoped so; otherwise he couldn't see how she would manage.
Then he had an idea. Perhaps he could help! He didn't mind joining the long queues after school, although it would take some explaining to his mother as to why he was always so late home. He wondered where he'd put the goods, particularly if he managed to get some potatoes. After all no one could exist without this basic food.
Then he made a decision. The next day he would make a point of finding this young teacher and asking her if he could help. He would also try and find out how many Jews were hiding there.
Increasingly he was sure it was a good thing to do.
***
The next day he waited until lunch break to approach the teacher.
"Excuse me" he said politely. "I know you're secret and want to help."
The teacher looked absolutely horrified. Vigorously she shook her head.
"Aleksander, now listen to me - very carefully. You forget everything you know! You understand? You are not to get involved, not under any circumstances. It is far too dangerous."
Still the boy stood resolutely in front of her.
"I couldn't sleep last night for fear that you were going to go to the authorities. You'd get a fine reward I expect."
Aleksander gasped.
"I'm not like that! And don't think that I am! I just thought there might be something the girl I saw might like, and I could get it for her. Not food like you get, but something else, like..." the boy racked his brain for something to say that sounded convincing. "Pencils!" he exclaimed, feeling rather pleased with himself.
"No" said the teacher emphatically. "Now, go away and forget it."
But Aleksander didn't forget it. Every day he went and found the teacher again and kept asking her, time and again.
"Please, just ask the girl if there's anything she wants and I'll try and get it for her."
Worn down with his persistence, in the end the weary teacher nodded.
"I'll ask" she promised, and Aleksander beamed.
"You're the best!" he assured her, and was rewarded with a wane smile.
***
Still he continued his daily visits to the teacher until at last she said
"Hannah would like a pen pal." The boy stared at her uncomprehending.
"A what?" he asked, racking his brains where he could go and buy such a thing. The teacher smiled.
"It means a friend who keeps in touch by letter. Hannah would like to know what's going on in school, in the outside world."
"Oh I see" beamed Aleksander. "I could do that"
"But you must be very careful. No names, no details of the school or where you live and nothing that might give away who you are or how the letters have arrived at the hide-out. You understand? Imagine if they are found and read, and they betrayed us all. And of course you can't tell anyone what you're doing - not even your Mum. Can you do that?"
The boy nodded. He understood all that, and would be very careful what he wrote. In fact it would be quite a challenge and he looked forward to that. But the teacher was continuing
"In fact I think it would be better, at least at first if you leave the letters open so I can check them. Is that alright?"
Aleksander nodded. That sounded a really good idea. He certainly didn't want to get anyone into any sort of trouble.
"Leave the letters here, inside this blue folder" and the teacher picked one up from her desk and laid it on the window sill. "I'll leave it there for you, and will check it each day to see if you've sent Hannah anything. Is that alright? If you think it's too dangerous, don't do it. It will be alright, and Hannah will understand."
But Aleksander knew he would do it. In fact he couldn't wait to get started. Of course it would be a challenge to think of something to say, particularly if he wrote often. School never seemed particularly exciting, and what with the curfew and all, evenings spent inside their cramped flat were hardly newsworthy. But still he was determined to try.
***
His first task was to go to the shop and buy an exercise book. Then he went back and bought a second one. It had suddenly struck him that perhaps Hannah might want to write back. Now that would be really nice. That way they could become real 'pals'. He was half way home when he stopped and carefully counted out the money left in his pocket. Just enough!
Retracing his steps he re-entered the little shop where the storekeeper teased him about his reappearance.
"What have you forgotten this time?"
"The pen" laughed the boy, and chose one he thought a girl might like. After all she might not have much living in the print works, and he did want her to write back to him. Now he could hardly wait to get home and write his first letter to her. He would explain that his name was Aleksander, that he was eleven years old and that his Dad was away fighting. He would tell her that he had seen her in the window, and that she must stay away from there, or other people might see her too.
He would say how hard it must be to be trapped inside all the time. He would hate that. He loved to feel the wind on his face, even when it was quite cold, and his very favourite thing in all the world was when the canal froze and he could go skating with his friends. (When he came to write the letter he nearly gave their names but then remembered what the teacher had said, and crossed out the beginning letter that he had already written.)
Then he tore the sheet out of the little exercise book, carefully folded it and put it in his book to take to school the next morning. He would put it in the blue folder as soon as he arrived, and then hope that in a day or two he would find a reply waiting for him. It really was most exciting, but secret too, and he knew that he could never tell anyone about what he was doing.
***
To Aleksander's considerable delight, replies started to arrive in the blue folder. Hannah was also eleven, and they had already been in hiding for nine months. She wanted to know what lessons he liked best, and if he was good at sports, and if he swam in the canal in the summer.
Now evenings, which used to drag by, had become a special time for the boy, and he could hardly wait to begin. His mother became quite impressed at how diligently he appeared to be working. Never before had he been so keen to sit writing at the table, and certainly his school work improved with all this unexpected practice.
And all day he was working out interesting things to tell Hannah that at the same time not give anything away. He told her about the more interesting lessons, and listened out for jokes he could pass on.
Then one week he had an idea.
"I go to school at 8.15 every morning and I always look up at the sky. Why don't you do the same? If I see a cloud in a funny shape I'll think of you looking at it too, and see if we can see the same thing. What do you think?"
And so the pair watched the sky and talked about the sunrise and the clouds that looked like whales and mountain ranges, but as the mornings got darker they missed that, and said how good it would be when the lighter days arrived again. By then perhaps the war would be over, and then, who knew, perhaps they would meet up, and Hannah would go to school again.
***
One evening Aleksander was just settling down to write a letter when the siren went. It had been a while since this had last happened, and he sighed with irritation. But his mother was already up and grabbing his coat, which she handed quickly to him, while she pulled on her own.
"Quickly Aleksander, we must run to the shelter."
And they did, scrambling down the steep steps to huddle with the mass of other people in their underground shelter, while above the bombs rained down making the ground shudder.
"We're safe here" his mother assured him, wrapping her arm round him, as they prepared to sit out the long night in the shelter.
But Aleksander wasn't worried about his own safety. His thoughts were for Hannah and her family on the top floor of the old print works. They were so vulnerable up there. He could hardly bear to think of it. How awful it would be if they emerged from the shelter to find the old building just ruin. He couldn't imagine anything more dreadful.
***
A few nights later the same thing happened, and again they were huddled together in the shelter.
"They're going to search the whole city, block by block." An old woman sitting near them said. She made it seem as though she had some inside knowledge. "Going to find any hiding Jews"
Nobody made any comment. There really was little one could say to such a statement, which was undoubtedly true. Aleksander felt a sharp knot form in his stomach. Either the bombs from above or the Gestapo on the ground were going to get Hannah and her family. Clearly it was just a matter of time.
He felt quite sick with worry - but what could an eleven-year old boy do in such a circumstance?
***
It happened a few days later when he'd been sent to the shop by his mother for some matches. Standing by the window were a couple of women talking in low voices, but he clearly heard the name
"Bielski"
It didn't mean anything to him, so he was surprised when he heard it whispered again a few days later. Then he overheard something that really startled him
"Says he will protect any Jew that gets to him by hiding them in the forest."
Now that was startling news, to put it mildly. Was someone really trying to help the Jews? It sounded like someone nearby too. For the first time Aleksander felt a little bit of hope. He just had to find out more about this Bielski person, and see if they could save Hannah and her family.
He just hadn't the slightest idea how to go about it.
***
Chapter 2
Now Aleksander regularly strained his ears to overhear conversations, but for days he heard nothing of interest. He considered talking to the teacher about this strange person called 'Bielski' but decided against it. After all she always looked so exhausted that he thought she had enough to worry about. He did wonder about mentioning it in a letter to Hannah, but that seemed wrong too. After all it was only the vaguest of rumours, and most likely it was wrong anyway. In these difficult times people were apt to make up the most farfetched stories, just to make life seem more bearable.
No, he would keep everything to himself, and just hope that eventually he'd learn a bit more.
Then when he was at the road side waiting for the troops to pass so he could cross, he heard someone whisper
"It's the Naliboki Pushcha"
He was sure they were talking about this place where the Jews were safe. He stepped out quickly for home. Now he just had to find out where it was!
That evening as he finished his letter to Hannah and was just putting away his school books he turned to his mother, and said, as casually as he could
"Where the Naliboki Pushcha?"
"Oh, it's a way from here. Lubcha's near it. Why do you ask?"
"I heard a couple of women talking about it today. What's it like?"
"A forest like any other I should think! Now get ready for bed, you've school tomorrow."
But Aleksander was a long time getting to sleep that night. He kept thinking of the forest that was near Lubcha. He had been to that town once, to visit some relatives of his father's. It had taken quite a long time. You certainly couldn't have walked it, but then he didn't have to - he had a bike! Tomorrow he would give it a good clean, pump up the tyres and generally check that it was in tip top condition. He might even ride it bit more than usual, so he was ready for such a long journey.
Having made that decision he at last fell asleep. He was going to do something positive to save Hannah and her family, and it felt good.
***
The following Friday he arrived home from school to find his mother very agitated.
"I've just heard that Grandma's had a fall and is quite poorly. I think I should go and help out, at least for a day or two."
This wasn't a too unusual occurrence and Aleksander just shrugged.
"I can go to Andros'" he said. Often at the weekend the two boys spent time at each others homes, and then stayed the night. It would be nothing different.
"I just wish I had time to go to Andros' mother and check they haven't any other plans" said Aleksander's mother anxiously. "But with the curfew and all....." and she spread her hands wide.
"It'll be fine" the boy assured, but already his mind was working on another idea. Perhaps this was just the chance he'd been waiting for. He wouldn't go to his friend's for the weekend; in fact he wouldn't even tell him what was going on. No, he'd head for the forest and try and find this man called 'Bielski'. Then he would really be helping Hannah.
"Perhaps I could take some food - to help out" Aleksander suggested, and his mother smiled.
"Yes, good idea. You are becoming such a thoughtful boy" and Aleksander felt guilty that he was lying. Still when he got back he'd explain and he was sure his mother would think that he'd done the right thing.
"How about some apples and some bread?" suggested the boy, already thinking about having a picnic in the woods.
His mother laughed.
"I'll bake some potatoes. They are always good and Andros' mother can use them in lots of different ways" and so the pair set about preparing some food for the boy to take the following morning.
***
Early the next morning they set off, with Aleksander pushing his bike and his mother carrying her small suitcase. They were going to the bus station, and after a quick kiss, the boy waived as his mother left on her journey to visit Grandma. But then he didn't turn towards his friend's house, as his mother expected. He had other plans in mind. Instead he headed for the open road and cycled quickly out of the town.
He was just thankful that the weather was dry and fairly mild. The road was long and dusty and the only vehicles he saw belonged to the enemy and every time they passed the boy was aware of the knots forming in his stomach, but they never stopped and took no notice of a youngster cycling fast on the opposite side of the road.
By mid-day he was getting decidedly weary. He knew he had to turn off to the left, but the road to Novogrudek seemed to go on forever, with no break in sight. Pulling his bike off the road, he sat down and ate the first of the apples. They were rather winkled and a bit scabby, but he knew they were the best his mother could find in these difficult times.
He just wished he bought something to drink, but at least he was good and warm from all his activity. It was just frustrating that he still seemed to have such a long way to go.
***
At long last he saw a narrow turning off to the left and he was sure this was the way to Lubcha. Now it was just a case of keeping going, although he had never cycled so far in his life and he was getting so weary he was worried he would fall asleep in the saddle!
Then the road began to curve round and he felt sure he must be nearly there. At last he could see the tall trees of a forest. This looked like it! However, he was a bit horrified that it had taken him all day to arrive, and now the light was beginning to fade. He hadn't thought it would take him so long to find the forest.
He just hoped he would find this Bielski person quickly.
***
He climbed off his bike and began to push it along a narrow track way that led into the forest. He was a bit shocked that his legs were so wobbly, so after a bit he decided to sit and have a bit of a rest, and eat the bread that his mother had packed. It was dry and hard to eat, and he realised that he was getting very thirsty.
"Perhaps Beilski will give me something to drink" he thought, as he struggled to finish the last of the crust.
Then he got up and pushed on through the forest, but the undergrowth quickly became so thick it was almost impossible to move forward. He went back a bit and tried a different path, but always it was the same - the wood was so overgrown it was really difficult to make progress. At last he came to a bit of a clearing that, quite unusually had a ring of holly trees round the edge. After a moment's thought, the boy pushed his bike under one of the bushes.
He would just have to remember this grove and collect his bike on his return journey. Probably it wasn't that much further, and walking on foot, without his bike, was going to be so much easier.
Without the bike he did make slightly better progress, but not much, and increasingly the light was fading. Still the boy struggled on, just worried that perhaps he was walking round in cycles, as the trees were growing so thickly it was virtually impossible to see the sky and get any sense of direction.
At last, when totally exhaustion overtook him, he fell to the ground and knew he could go no further. Now it seemed a really silly idea that he could ever find this person in such a dense forest.
Increasingly the frightened boy realised that it would also be impossible for him to find his way back through the forest.
"I've done something really stupid" he told himself when the enormity of the situation hit him. He had no idea how to find his way through the forest, he couldn't go back, and in fact he was thoroughly lost.
By now it was getting bitterly cold, and he shivered as he huddled against the sturdy trunk of an oak tree. While he had been cycling fast he has kept nice and warm, but now in the dark forest it was growing increasingly icy.
He crawled under a thick bush, hoping that it would provide a little warmth, and curled up and tried to get some sleep. Every part of his body ached from the vigorous exertion, and his throat was dry and parched from lack of moisture.
Then he heard it - the sudden, eerie cry of a wolf. He sat up startled, and pulled his legs up deeper inside the bush. If the pack found him they would undoubtedly think he'd make a nice tasty meal. He was in a very dangerous situation, and he was well aware that he was unlikely to get out of the forest alive.
The thought horrified him. He had told no-one of his plan, which he now thought was really foolish, and no one would ever know where he had gone. If he didn't die of the cold and starvation, it would be the wolves that would get him.
After awhile he lay down again, being just too weary to sit up any longer. Almost to his surprise he slept surprisingly well lying beneath the thick bush. Total exhaustion had taken over, and although he was stiff and uncomfortable when he awoke, at least light was beginning to penetrate the forest, and everywhere looked less frightening than the night before.
Stiffly he crawled out from his hiding place, and brushed the dry leaves from his clothes. He still had the baked potatoes, and he sat and ate one, although it was cold and hard and rather increased his thirst.
Then he set off once again, thrusting his way through the dense undergrowth. At lunchtime he stopped and ate the last potato, and knew now that he had nothing left. He would be in a very serious situation if he didn't find help pretty soon.
By mid afternoon he was getting very scared. He was sure he would not survive another night in the forest, and he was so hungry that he was growing weak and wobbly. So he sank down onto the ground, and although he was trying his hardest to be brave, the tears started to trickle down his face and he couldn't stop them.
Suddenly he felt the ground begin to tremble and he heard the sound of pounding hoof prints. Before he had time to scramble to his feet, and quite sure it must be the enemy and he would be in big trouble, a horse with a towering rider was upon him.
The sturdy rider pulled on the reins and shouted for the horse to stop, which caused the animal to rear up onto his back legs.
"What have we here?" the man demanded, looking down at the frightened boy.
Aleksander was by now on his feet, staring up at the dark face of the stranger. He noticed that he had a machine gun slung across his chest and was wearing thick clothing and a most impressive hat.
Aleksander took a deep breath, and despite his rasping throat managed to say
"I've heard there's someone called Bielski who keeps Jews safe in the forest"
The man, somewhat to the boy's surprise, threw back his head, and gave a great roaring laugh. Encouraged that at least he didn't seem an immediate threat, Aleksander asked somewhat tentatively
"Have you heard of such a person?"
"Now let me see" said the man, stroking his chin, and appearing to be deep in thought. However, seeing the boy's anxious face, he could continue to tease no longer, and with a big grin said
"I think you're looking for my brother Tuvia"
Relief swept through the boy. There was such a person after all! It hadn't all be in vain.
"Is it much further, please?" he asked, turning his head looking down the track way where the man had ridden.
"It's a very long way from here" was reply.
Aleksander felt discouraged. He'd already come so far.
"I think you need a lift" boomed the man, and with that he swung down and grabbed the boy's outstretched arm. Surprisingly easily he lifted him into the saddle in front of him.
"Now hold on tight" he commanded, and soon the pair were galloping through the forest, twisting along narrow track ways, and sometimes wider paths. One thing Aleksander knew for certain, he would never have found this place on his own; it was miles from where he had been walking.
***
Chapter 3
Eventually they slowed down, and Aleksander heard a voice call out from the forest. The man behind him responded, and the boy realised that there must be some sort of look out who had heard someone approaching and was checking who there were. He felt very safe and secure with the man, as they slowly walked along what now seemed to be a well worn track.
Then suddenly they were there, and Aleksander just stared open mouthed. There were hundreds of people, all busily going about their lives. In fact it was like going into a city it was so crowded and bustling. Apart from the chatter and the laughter there was the steady thud of metal on anvil, and Aleksander could immediately spot a very busy blacksmiths.
The man lifted the boy off his horse, and laughed as he watched him stare around, his eyes the size of saucers.
"Aron" the man called. "Here's a boy about your age."
Aleksander watched as the youth approached. He was tanned and healthy, with a big grin on his face.
"Just arrived? You look a mess. Slept in the forest?" Aleksander nodded, and tried to brush some of the leaves off his clothes, but the youth seemed unperturbed and just said "Want to look round?"
"Yes please" but he also added "I have to speak to this person Bielski"
"Oh he'll be back soon. He's my brother". Aron said this proudly, and Aleksander wondered how many more were going to say "He's my brother!"
***
Now Aron stood back and surveyed this new arrival in the camp.
"When did you last eat anything?" he asked, and Aleksander just shook his head somewhat blankly. Whenever it was, it was a very long time ago.
"Come on then" Aron said, "we'll get you some broth and that'll last you til supper time." and with that he led the boy over to a large area full of tables and benches, all make from trees roughly cut from the forest. Thankfully Aleksander sank down, but he couldn't take his eyes off the hive of activity all around him.
Within moments Aron was back with a steaming bowl of broth and a great chunk of warm bread. It was the best meal that Aleksander had ever tasted, and he couldn't believe how thick and meaty it was. He hadn't eaten anything this good for a very long time.
As soon as he was finished, Aron grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet.
"Come on - I'll show you round. Anything particular you want to see?"
Aleksander shook his head. It all looked so marvellous. So the pair started at a fine clip and went first to the largest building on the site, which had high ceilings and large windows. There were several stoves located in the different areas, and everywhere Aleksander looked there were people hard at work.
"More than a 100 people in here" Aron said proudly. "You can get anything."
And it was true. Aleksander could see tailors, and barbers and a lot of carpentry going on. As they walked along Aron pointed out a row of ladies busy sewing, two with machines.
"When they've time they're going to make me a shirt out of parachute silk" he boasted proudly. "Bet you haven't anything like that?"
And they both laughed. Aleksander certainly hadn't, nor even heard of anything so fine.
At the end a watchmaker was busy, while the leatherworkers were making bridles, ammunition belts and the most wonderful saddles the boy had ever seen. The hat makers were particularly busy, and there was a small crowd round this workshop.
Outside there was a tannery using the animal skins and Aleksander counted at least six great wooden tanks. Everyone was just so busy - in fact there clearly was a lot to do. One of the biggest queues was at the workshop repairing shoes, where a row of workers toiled busily
"Some of us have been here years, and everything gets worn out in the forest" Aron explained, as Aleksander stared in amazement. "Best boots ever" and he held up his foot to show off a finely crafted boot. It clearly was his pride and joy.
"Now we'd better get you somewhere to sleep tonight. You don't know anyone do you?"
Aleksander shook his head.
"It's best if groups stay together - like they're already friends."
Aleksander wanted to explain that he wasn't staying but he realised that it was getting dark and he would never get home now. He would have to stay at least one night. Without a moment's hesitation, Aron led him towards a young woman with a headscarf tied over her dark hair.
"Leah's one of the school teachers" Aron explained, and they watched as she led a group of children back from what appeared to be a nature walk.
"We've been finding as many different greens as we can find" one small child explained to Aleksander, holding out a range of leaves and grasses for him to admire.
"That's very good" he said. "And look your socks are green too, so you could add those." The child was delighted.
"I must have the biggest number" she whispered in his ear, well pleased with herself.
As the children dispersed back into the village, Aron introduced Aleksander to the Leah.
"So you're on your own - that's quite unusual. Did you get split up from the rest of the group?" she asked. Seeing the boy hesitate, she hastily added "Don't worry you're safe here."
"It will only be for one night" Aleksander explained. She didn't say anything, just looked slightly surprised, but then led him towards what turned out to be a long row of underground dwellings. Expertly she climbed down the ladder-like steps into the dark interior, but Aleksander groped his way uncertainly and was glad when he safely reached the bottom.
The area consisted of a large room, higher in the middle, with rows of wooden beds down each side. The teacher led the boy to an area at the end, and he saw there was a straw 'mattress' on each bed.
"You can have this one tonight. I'll get you a blanket. Now remember this dug-out is No 54." The boy nodded. Everything was just so well organised.
He followed the teacher back up the ladder, and she went over to an elder woman who was sitting on a stool made from the trunk of a tree. A warm shawl was wrapped round her shoulders, and Aleksander noticed that she had sturdy boots on her feet.
"Well, what have we got here?" she asked, as she peered at the new arrival.
"His name's Aleksander, Mother. Why not talk together?" and with a quick smile she was off on some urgent errand.
"Isn't this all amazing" the boy blurted out, still staring around in a state of amazement.
"We've Tuvia to thank for that - and no mistaking! Saint - total saint!" She patted the stool next to her to indicate the boy was to sit down. He was a bit hesitant, not too sure if he wanted to spend time talking to this old person, and thinking being with the young boy, Aron would be more fun. He had hardly sat down when she leant over to him and said
"Don't you get thinking it's always been like this. Oh, my no! It's been dreadful at times, just dreadful. We've moved from one forest to another, and then just when we thought we were safe the enemy would find us, and we'd have to run and hide in the woods. They'd destroy everything, and then we'd have to start all over again. Time and time again it happened." The old woman rocked back and forth, the memory of the years flooding back.
Aleksander stared around, and thought how much work must have been involved in digging out the underground shelters. To do it once would have been incredible, but it sounded as though they had done it several times.
Realising that she had an attentive audience, the old woman leant forward, wrapping the shawl more tightly round her thin chest, and grabbing Aleksander arm with her bony hand.
"One time the enemy were so close we had to run into the forest for safety. It was alright for the youngsters, but for the likes of me, and the tiny tots - well we did the best we could, but it was difficult believe you me. Then Tuvia said it was only a matter of time before they found us, so we just had to pile everything onto carts and horses and start off through the woods."
The old woman sighed at the memory of the trek, and then she spread her hand out in front of her
"More than a kilometre long we were, a great snake of people going through the forest to safety. And going alongside were the horses and cattle. It was sight I can tell you, a right sight."
"And were you safe in the new place?" Aleksander asked.
The old woman sighed.
"For a while, but only a short time. Then the same thing happened again. We were just getting settled, when Asael is shouting "Everyone out of here now!" It just seemed too much, when we had trekked so far. Actually" and she leant closer to Aleksander to whisper "I think I was ready to stay, to give up, but my daughter grabbed my arm and just shoved me up along the track deep into the wood. I was so tired, so very tired, but it was the right thing to do."
"What happened then?" the boy asked, finding it hard to imagine the vast number of people all moving in a long line through the woods.
"Tuvia got us all together, and said we couldn't continue like that. We'd worked so hard to make a camp, and every time the enemy had arrived and we'd had to move on. Of course it was only a matter of time before they caught up with us." She sighed. "It was such an awful time. We felt like animals being endlessly hunted."
She paused, and then said "Of course dear Tuvia had the answer. He always does. Such a grand man."
"His idea was to come here?"
"Yes, here to the Naliboki Puscha. It was such a good idea, as it's always been a hiding place; because it's so thick with forest no-one can get in. In the past it was full of bandits and thieves and such folk" and the old woman let out a crackling laugh.
Aleksander nodded. He could understand that. He'd had terrible difficulty walking through the forest. Tanks and army vehicles would never be able to find anyone here. But moving from their previous hideaway was an enormous journey.
"There were hundreds of us. Of course Tuvia rode his white horse, and we could see him up in front, showing us the way. At one time we had to cross this river. He took his horse up and down 'til he found the shallow part and then went across to see it we could manage it. Then the men formed a sort of human chain and helped everyone across. Of course the children were riding on their parents' shoulders. It was the old ones, like me, who really struggled. I can still remember how icy the water felt against my legs. I think I was crying by the time we got across - it all seemed so hard."
By now the old woman had taken Aleksander's hand and was holding it firmly. At first he'd felt embarrassed, but now he was so engrossed in the story, he was happy to hold her hand, and was listening intently as she recounted this incredible journey.
"Did you know there are wolves in this forest?" The boy nodded.
"I heard them last night. They sounded pretty close."
"And black bears. As hungry as us I shouldn't wonder. And we were hungry on this long trek. Cold, tired, frightened and hungry. My word we were a sorry lot. But then we found a Russian unit and they gave us a few bags of barley. Mixed with a bit of water and some flour they cooked it into a sort of watery porridge. Pretty awful I remember, but it kept us alive, all eight hundred of us - just think of that!"
And Aleksander did and was amazed.
"But worse was to come - oh much worse. The enemy was following us, and we weren't safe, even though we'd come so far, so dear Tuvia, who didn't know this forest any more than the rest of us, said he'd heard that there was an island, and that we must hide there. And this time we had to go in absolute silence, so as not to give away our new hiding place. Can you imagine that? No crying babies, no toddlers fretting, no coughing no sneezing. Tuvia, who always thinks of everything, said we had to take as much food as we could stuff into our pockets, as goodness knows when we would get any more. I took some barley, it was all I could find, and then kept a look out for any berries that might be edible on the way, but I didn't find anything."
"And you managed alright?"
"Ony by the grace of God, and the help of my good daughter. She suggested that I take off my shoes, and grip the mud with my toes, as we had to walk across this great swamp to get to the island. It was such a struggle I can tell, - so many times I nearly fell, but always there were hands to steady me, but I missed the encouraging words, for it was all done in total silence. It was the strangest thing - awful, terrible really, but wonderful too. God seemed to be so close. I shall never forget it - even if I live to be a hundred. All night we struggled, with water up to here" and the old woman put her hand on her chest, and Aleksander wondered how ever she had managed such an ordeal. It was almost beyond belief.
"We had to hide on this island for more than a week, with absolutely no food. It was a nightmare. Many people thought they were going to die there - well I thought I would too at one stage. But Tuvia was off seeing whether it was safe, and at last it was. And we came here, and look at it now!"
She beamed with pleasure as she looked round the thriving township, home to hundreds of happy people.
"You must have been so busy" Aleksander commented, unable to grasp how much they had done.
"Oh, and in such a rush to start with, because the winter was coming, and the ground would be too frozen to dig then. But we all worked together." She sighed softly "We'd been through so much."
Just then Aron reappeared, the familiar grin on his young face.
"You still here? I thought you'd be off by now."
"It's been so interesting, so amazing." He let go of the old woman's hand. "Thank you for talking to me. Incredible, just incredible."
The old lady smiled. It had been good to talk to someone, to remember the days that had gone by, and to recall how God had been so close to them. How else could she explain their quite miraculous escape?
***
Chapter 4
Aron wanted to be off, and was quickly leading the way through the busy settlement, and Aleksander continued to stare around him, amazed at everything he saw.
"What I don't understand is how you've got all this stuff" and he waved his arm in the general direction of the bustling village.
Aron smiled.
"Often the enemy takes people away. When my brother is sure they are not going to return, then we go in and empty the home and outbuildings. That's how we got the sewing machines, and all the cows."
Aleksander nodded, he could understand that. It would have been a waste to just let empty homes stand there, when the contents could benefit so many.
"And we can make anything" he added proudly. "See those cooking pots? They once were the corrugated roof of an old outbuilding." Aleksander was amazed. How skilled these people were.
But Aron was still taking, as they pushed their way through the crowds.
"Of course we have friends too, who know we're here and want to support us. Mind you, it's very dangerous. If the enemy found out they would immediately be killed. But they can supply us with things like grain and vegetables, that sort of thing. And we can help them too" he added, laughing. "We have the finest blacksmith's who can fix any guns, and sharpen knives, and everyone wants a harness made here."
As they walked across the vast compound Aleksander saw a long queue of people waiting outside one of the buildings.
"What are they waiting for Aron?" he asked
"Oh, that it's the bath house. Tuvia is very fussy that everyone uses it. I go first thing in the morning, before anyone else is up. You take hot stones from the fire, and pour water over them and the steam help get you clean. Of course you have to use bunches of twigs to dislodge the lice, the pesky things get everywhere."
Aleksander stared wide-eyed at the waiting queue of people. He had never heard of such a thing. He would quite like to have tried it, but increasingly he was getting worried about getting back. He needed to get a message to Hannah and her family, and be home before his mother returned from Grandma's.
By now they had arrived on the edge of the settlement, where there was a clear open space.
"Want to learn to ride? We have more than 30 horses - I can teach you."
Aleksander hesitated. He remembered only too well the struggle he'd had learning to ride a bike, and he thought a large, frisky horse would be a lot harder.
"I'd rather watch you" he admitted, and Aron laughed.
Several other young people had joined them and the horse riding had turned into the most unbelievable fun. In fact Aleksander had never had a time like it. But then a great gong had rung out
"Time for supper" beamed Aron, expertly dismounting and slipping a fine saddle off a roan horse. Seeing the boy looking at it, he added proudly
"They made it for me in the tannery. Good isn't it?" and it certainly was.
It was during the meal, when Aleksander could hardly believe the amount of meat piled on his plate or the range of vegetables, when suddenly there was a ripple of excitement and word went round
"Tuvia's on his way!
The boy turned to watch, and soon an imposing figure on a fine white horse rode down the main roadway. He was very dark, with a thick moustache. Aron ran over to take care of the horse, and as Aleksander watched the man swung easily out of the saddle and dropped to the ground.
Soon people were calling out greetings, and beckoning him over to where they were sitting. He seemed quite happy to talk to everyone, and spent the most time picking up and playing with the children.
At last he approached the table where Aleksander was sitting, and he spotted the new arrival immediately.
"Hello - what have we here? Stand up; let me have a look at you. Who did you come with?"
"I came by myself" Aleksander replied.
He saw Tuvia frown.
"By yourself?" Then he leant forward and pulled Aleksander's knitted hat off his head, immediately revealing his blond hair.
"You're not a Jew!" the man almost bellowed, and Aleksander knew every eye in the camp was upon him.
"I know I'm not" he replied. "But I have a friend who's a Jew and I wanted to help her. I needed to know if there really was a person who was helping them."
"A likely story" boomed Tuvia. "You're a spy! Are they going to pay you well when you go back and tell them how we live here?"
"Of course I'm not a spy. I came here all on my own; because I wasn't sure the stories were true. I thought they probably weren't"
Several people laughed nervously when they heard this, but Tuvia just shrugged.
"You won't be going back" he said firmly. "No one leaves here. They just arrive."
And then he strode off to talk to other people. Aleksander remained standing, absolutely stunned. It had never crossed his mind that he might be considered a spy.
Now he was in a real fix, for he knew there was no way he would find his way alone back through the dense forest. For a moment he thought perhaps he could explain to the school teacher, or even Aron, but he already realised that Tuvia's word was absolute. Nobody went against what he said, and he had declared that Aleksander was to remain in the community.
***
It was just as they were sitting eating some delicious fruit picked in the forest, and Aleksander was trying to think what to do next, when there was a commotion and a straggly group of very weary walkers staggered into the camp. They had clearly been walking for days, and were near exhaustion point.
People rushed over to help them and to assist them to the tables, where steaming meals soon arrived, and they tucked in well aware that it was a very long time since they had eaten so well.
"Where are you from dear?" was the concerned question on everyone's lips.
"Lida - the situation is so bad there, you've no idea"
Aleksander pricked up his ears. This was his home town! He came from there! Then he had a thought. Leaning forward through the throng of anxious people wanting to welcome the new arrivals, and also to learn of news from the outside world, he got near enough to say
"Did you know the Pavel family?"
There was such a clatter of talk going on he had to ask several times, before the woman turned and said
"Oh, I knew them. Such a lovely family - with a young daughter. They had the jewellers on the corner of the market square. Of course they've got safely away to Switzerland."
"No they haven't" the young boy almost shouted. "They're hiding in the top of the old print works"
The woman gasped.
"They won't last long there! What with the bombing - almost every night now, and the searches."
"I know - that's why I'm here! But Tuvia says I'm a spy and just want to know how everyone is living here. It's just not fair!" and he felt almost embarrassed at his outburst, well aware that everyone was looking at him.
Just then he felt a firm hand on his shoulder, and was surprised to look up and see Tuvia standing close beside him. He had no idea that he had heard the conversation.
"I will think about it" he said quietly. "Now everyone, get ready for the concert."
***
Aleksander sat with Aron on rough benches made from fallen trees. There was a stage and people just kept appearing who could entertain the crowd.
"Can anyone have a go, or is it rehearsed" he whispered.
"Anyone can stand up and entertain. Can you do anything?" The boy laughed and shook his head. He'd never been to anything like this before, and it slightly lifted his mood, although he was still very worried about how he was going to get home.
After a couple of turns, which involved a man playing an accordion and a young girl singing, Tuvia took the stage and welcomed the new arrivals. He then looked straight at Aleksander and said
"As some of you know, we have a Gentile in our midst, and we have to decide what we feel about that. The most likely thing is that he is a spy for the enemy, and will be well paid for telling them how we live here. But there is just one thing I would like to know young man - how well you know this family who you are supposed to be helping?"
Aron gave him a great shove, and the young boy rose to his feet, very aware that all eyes were upon him.
"Hannah is my pen pal" he said proudly and loudly, so everyone could hear.
"Have you actually ever met her?" Tuvia now asked.
Aleksander hesitated a moment
"Well, no I haven't actually met her - but I know from her letters that she's lovely. My teacher is her friend, and that's how I got to be her pen friend."
There was slight mutter in the large crowd that had gathered for the concert, and Aleksander wondered what was going to happen next.
"Come to the front" Tuvia commanded, and hands helped ease his way to the front. If he had felt embarrassed before, it was nothing to what he felt now, and he could feel his cheeks burning.
As he approached the make-shift stage once more Tuvia pulled the woolly hat off his head and revealed his blond hair.
"This young boy has risked his life for someone he has never actually met. He just thinks she is very nice because they write notes to each other. I think that is amazing. To risk everything for someone you love is one thing, to do it for someone you've never actually met is incredible. But of course it could all be lies. We have to be aware of that."
"No it isn't!" interrupted Aleksander, and a ripple of laughter went round the rapt audience.
"Now we have to decide what we are going to do with this blond little fellow in our midst. What do you think?"
"Let him go back" someone called out.
"He's too young to be much of a spy" someone else added.
"He heard the wolves circling last night and was afraid. He was all alone. He's telling the truth Tuvia." Aleksander turned and realised that the speaker was the old woman who had told him all about their amazing escapades to get away from the enemy. He smiled at her, but he was very aware of Tuvia's firm grip on his shoulder.
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