Bruno’s Diary By. Grace Jeong

13rd July,1943 Today, I had an adventure near by my house. As I walked for an hour, I found a boy sitting on the other side of the fence. He wore striped pajama and an armband with a star on it, sitting lonely by the fence. He introduced him that his name is Shmuel and as we talked along, I found out that he was born on same date as me. I asked Shmuel why is everyone on the other side of the fence and what are they doing there. Shmuel told me that He was from Poland and he was living with his mother, father and his brother Josef. Then, he had to move to a small room with his family and stayed there with 11people in total in one room Honestly, I still cant believe 11people and fit in a room and live there. Few months later, everyone in the house was told to leave the house and rode a smelly squished train. For me it sounded so horrible and why don’t they take another train? Not get crowded onto one train. Well, to move on talking about his story, after they took off the train, his family was separated and he came to this place with hundreds of boys. I didn’t know that there were hundreds of boys there. That’s...a lot. And everyone on the other side of the fence and what are they doing there. Shmuel told me that He was from Poland and he was living with his mother, father and his brother Josef. Then, he had to move to a small room with his family and stayed there. But, he had to be taken away from home with his family by a small container. Later, Shmuel got separated with his family and got up to this place. I have heard that they don’t give foods in other side of the fence. Eh what a terrible place! I should bring some food next time.

30th July,1943 Ugh. I’m loosing hope to get back to Berlin. I miss the place so much, but as weeks passed by, I don’t think I’m going back soon than I thought. But I have Shmuel everyday so it doesn’t matter a lot. Today I got some snacks for him and we talked about our dreams. He said he want to work in a zoo. I said I want to be a soldier like my father, who is very nice and cool, but Shmuel kept on saying that I shouldn’t be and he wont want to be because there are no such person as a good soldier. I didnt want to fight with Shmuel so i quickly changed the subject to my sistler Gretel and her one and only love Lieutenant Kotler. I complained about him and found out that Shmuel also hate him as well. Thank god i met someone who finally can relate to me. After, at evening i found that Lieutenant Kotler is having dinner with out family. Eh. It was my worst dinner ever. Oh, when I went kitchen to ask our maid Maria to pack some snaks I asked her about Pavel and she told me he has actually a doctor, but it is a secret. Why did Pavel lied to me? Why?

14 th August, 1943 I haven’t written diary for a long time. During this few weeks there were some things happening. Last time when I met Shmuel, he had bruises on his eye. I thought there was bullies on the other side of the fence just like when they were in Berlin. I decide to sneak in the fence to play with Shmuel and tell the bullies not to bully, but Shmuel isn’t letting me to go over the fence. He says that other side of the fence is boing, but I think my house is way more boring than his side so I still want to go over. I hope one day I can go to Shmuel’s side and hang out with him playing soccer and maybe seeing his friend and his house on that other side of the fence. Maybe I can get that striped pajama too like Shmuel and his friend over there.

19 th August, 1943 Today, rain was pouring all over since I was awaken. I was so sad that I couldn’t see Shmuel today. Afternoon, when I was reading book in my bed, Gretel came in and talked about stuffs. She told be that she don’t like raining and I agreed with her and told her that I’m so sad because I can’t see Shmuel today. Then, she started to ask about me what did I say and who is Shmuel. Ugh. I am still regretting about me saying that I miss Shmuel. As she was raging at me harder as I didn’t say anything, I had to make some excuses and because I didn’t want her to know about Shmuel, I told her that Smuel is my imaginary friend. After she heard my answer, she laughed about me and teased about me having a imaginary friend. Honestly, I don’t know why did I say that Shmuel is my IMAGINARY FRIEND while I just can say it is a flower that I named. I regret saying to her, but on the other side, Im kind of relieved because I know that Gretel is mad and she will be having urge to know about Shmuel if I tell her the truth.

30 th August, 1943 For couple of weeks, I couldn’t see Shmuel because it was raining on and off and when I met Shmuel every time, his face got paler and skinnier so I’m so worried about him. I hope he is safe and healthy on the other side of the fence. Today, when I was about to get some snacks from the kitchen, I saw Shmuel polishing the glasses. He said the soldier commanded him to. While he was polishing it, I noticed our hands look very different. Shmuel had rough and very unhealthy, completely opposite from my hand. I felt sorry and I was worried about his life in his life. Anyways, after, I tried to let Shmuel to have some treats but Shmuel said he was not allowed to move around the house. I gave him some food to him even though he refused it for several times. When Shmuel was middle of eating the food, Lieutenant Kotler suddenly came in and he was yelling at us. He was raging at Shmuel for eating some food and when he was asking me if I knew Shmuel, I lied that I didn’t. Now, I feel so bad and sorry for him. I feel like I betrayed my one and only friend. I hope he will understand me when I meet him later.