*Note: It is also common courtesy to give the contributor of the photo credit in your post. The next photo in this gallery is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it suggest a story to you? Tell us in one hundred words or less. My story will follow the inLinkz icon. I enjoy honest feedback and comments.
PHOTO PROMPT – © Claire Fuller
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
HAINING, JANE; PRISONER NUMBER 79467
When I was six they sent me to the girl’s home where I found Jane Haining the house matron. Sometimes I had trouble understanding her brogue-accented Hungarian but her love transcended all language barriers.
She mothered each of us as her own “wee bairns”, whether Jewish or Christian.
When the Nazis took over Budapest she disobeyed orders and refused to return to Scotland, saying, “If these children need me in days of sunshine, how much more in darkness?”
***
I study the numbers tattooed on my arm and I’m haunted by the question, “Why did I live and that angel die?”.
.
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I didn’t expect to cry on this lovely day…but I don’t regret it, thank you for another great story and such an amazing history lesson.
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Dear Loré,
Your tears are a high compliment. There are so many unknown, unsung heroes that we’ll never know about. I’m happy someone told me about Jane Haining.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In a sea of darkness you remember the points of light and bring them out to shine.
Thank you Rochelle for this very well crafted tribute.
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Dear Emmy,
Miss Haining was a light in the darkness.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You teach me so much!
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Thank you, Dawn. You’ve made me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, m’lady, you have really done it this time.
The hairs on my arms stood up as I read this.
I find it incredible what you can do with 100 words.
C’est magnifique…
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Dear C.E.,
A dear friend passed along the article that whetted my appetite to know more about this courageous woman. Thank you, kind sir, for such glowing comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very sad but also truly inspiring – both your story and the life that inspired it.
A tour de force in those 100 words.
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Dear MJL,
I’m sure there are more heroes out there than we could ever count.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Tremendously moving story Rochelle, and thanks for bringing these unsung heroes back out of the darkness of history. That line on the postcard “on the way to heaven” … so very movingly simple.
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Dear Sandra,
I’m so pleased that a friend alerted me to this courageous Scottish woman. She wasn’t what one would expect at that time, but thank heaven for her. She was an angel, wan’t she?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Good job on your well told tale.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
I had a little help from my friends this week. I’m pleased that you like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful take.. I love how you take up all those heroes of a terrible time.
Sadder because of its truth.Reminds me of Ilse Weber, that I got acquainted with after a concert by Ann-Sofie von Otter.
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Dear Björn,
I could probably spend the next twenty years finding and writing about these quiet heroes. Of course I had to look up Ilse Weber. 😉
Thank you for such a fine comment. You’ve helped to make my morning.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poignant and sad. Glad to have a moment to reflect.
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Dear Graham,
I wept when I read about Miss Haining’s dedication and sacrifice. It’s one of those pieces I had to write.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Great job on your story. 😉
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There are good people in this world (despite the savagery and cynicism of your FF contributors). Thanks for reminding me.
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Dear Patrick,
I suspect that, by and large, my FF contributors are merely savages in their writings and are otherwise gentle souls.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very powerful piece, Rochelle. Kind of choked up right now…
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Dear Lorna,
You’ve just paid me the highest compliment you could give.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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A beautiful, moving piece, Rochelle. And I think the answer to that eternal question must be to let others know about them and what happened.
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Dear Claire,
The eternal question plagues many I think in many different situations. Soldiers who survive a war while their buddies all perished…a parent wondering why he or she outlived a child…and the list could go on.
Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another unsung hero being given her dues by a wonderful woman named Rochelle!
Proof once again that only the good die young.
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Dear Dale,
I’m sure there were and are countless others that the world will never know.
Thank you for you glowing comment. I’ll shrink my head now. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hee hee…I doubt you have an inflamed head.
And I’m sure there are many unsung heroes.
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Amazing piece that touches on our mortality and the immortality of those who die to make the world a better place. I think people who survive do so to tell the story of those who didn’t.
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Dear Joy,
I, too, believe that the narrator of this story survived to tell the world. How lovely of you to stop by to read and comment.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was right, but what courage to be right in the face of such danger. Thank you for another lesson, told as usual, in your vivid and very personal style.
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Dear Jennifer,
I often wonder if I’d have the same courage if faced with such peril.
Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another hero from that time. It’s a good thing such people stood their ground and did what they knew was right. Thanks for bringing this unsung hero to us!
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Dear Eric,
I write them as I find them. 😉 A dear friend sent the article too me which sent me on a Google search and set me to writing.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure there must have been many, many more heros of this type. Thanks for beautifully introducing us to this one.
janet
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Dear Janet,
There have been many heroes and, I’m sure, present day heroes we don’t hear about. I was happy to find out about Jane Haining and even happier to pass her story along.
Thanks for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Uplifting, inspirational and very sad all at the same time. Beautiful story.
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Dear Ali,
It was an unusually horrific time. I’m amazed at the so-called ordinary people who took a stand.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Only the good die young.
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So they say, Mick.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At least she died loving and caring for others which is such a good way to go. And such a horrible contrast to her captors. Thanks for sharing such an inspirational story Rochelle. You have rewritten it beautifully.
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Dear Jolly,
I believe those captors have met their reward. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rohelle
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These are stories that must be told, and you did so beautifully. We don’t learn enough about the many unsung heroes, every-day people who stand their ground. I hope you write this book about the unsung heroes. 🙂
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Dear GAH,
Who knows? Perhaps there’s another book to be written. For now the heroes I’ve written about in my novel are fictitious but I’m certain that they represent real ones.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know, I was just thinking: everyone knows the names of the horrible people. Hitler, Göbbels, Stalin et al. — but who knows the names of the silent heroes?
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Haunting!
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Thank you, Colline. 😀
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We need stories like this to inspires us to do the right thing – even if that action alone will not change the world immediately it’s ripple effect would eventually. Beautiful told Rochelle…as always!
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Dear Ansumani,
There are so many untold stories, I love it when I find one to write about.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“There is not much to report here on the way to heaven.” So lovely and sad. Thank you for sharing this unique human being with us. Your posts are always educational, inspirational, and simply beautifully done!
Hope you are feeling much, much better!
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Dear Yolanda Renee,
Thank you for the lovely comments and the well wishes. Both are appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m lost for words. Over the years we hear so many horrific accounts such as this, but they never fail to touch one’s heart. A tenderly told tale Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
Your loss of words is a high compliment.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the heroic women that you bring to life for us.
Thank you for your kind condolences today. Your prayers were welcome.
Be well friend,
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
To bring heroic women into the limelight is a great pleasure and the least I can do. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Love, hugs, prayers and shalom, my friend.
Rochelle
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What a wonderful woman she was! And, what a wonderful story you wrote about her. I found the information about her to be very interesting and moving.
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Dear Joy,
Jane was one of those stories that came my way and I had to write about her.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an incredible strength that woman displayed. Such a great story thank you Rochelle!
Some have such an amazing inner truth
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Dear Solo,
I often wonder if I’d have the same courage in that situation. She was amazing.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great woman and flash. So hard to be a survivor when other people died.
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Dear Irene,
Survivor’s guilt is a tough thing. But I have to believe there’s a reason for everything.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope you are right Rochelle.
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Stories of true sacrifice never cease to inspire us to be our best selves. This is one of those stories.
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Dear Stephonie,
Thank you for stopping by to read and leave a kind comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was a wonderful light during a very dark time. Her compassion and tender heart is very well captured in your story. Well done, Rochelle.
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Dear Amy,
When I find those golden nuggets in history, I like to try to polish and display them. I’m pleased that you liked it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Aunt Bea,
I clicked on the link to read more and it asked for my profile and secret fantasy. When I typed in that I wanted to learn to write well, it sent me back her for further instruction. This is an excellent piece, not too sweet, but rich and flavorful.
Luigi
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Dear Luigi,
I’m pleased that my story held a sweet savor for you. Don’t stop writing. 😉
Shalom,
Aunt Bea
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Your flash moved me to tears. Such a loving story and tribute. You give voice to survivor guilt so well.
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Dear Ula,
Tears are the highest of compliments. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hola Rochelle,
I posted my story late last night. My energy faded.
I didn’t get to read your story. I try to read the
entries after I’ve written mine to avoid being influenced.
Please accept my delay in responding to yours.
Your story is evocative. I think I mentioned to you that
I grew up in Hasidic neighborhood. I experienced
a great many things.Your story is reminiscent of some
of the powerful graphic images I experienced.
People who went through this history are incredible survivors.
A very touching story that pulled on my heartstrings.
Muy Bueno,
Isadora
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Querida Isadora,
It must have been an interesting neighborhood to grow up in. When I was a child the Holocaust wasn’t that many years behind us. My mother had a few friends with those horrid tattoos.
I’m pleased that my story resonated with you and you took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hola Rochelle,
I cherish the diversity of my youth. It taught me how to accept everyone despite their color, religion or ethnicity. It was absorbed without me being aware. As an adult, I realized what a gift it was when interacting with people who had a negative attidtude towards others who were different. Thank you for allowing me to ad this to my comment.
Have a nice weekend …
Adios,
Isadora
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The world needs more people like her.
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Dear Alice,
I heartily agree. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very touching story, sad times where those.
And thank´s again for the prompt. This is a tricky photo, you´re going to make me scratch my brain to make my two neurons come up with a little story. But I´ll get there.
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Dear Charly,
Very sad times indeed. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
What a poignant and powerful story. I’m sure she lives on through those she cared for in life.
Anne
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Dear Anne,
She does live on in their hearts.
Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
What a lovely, sad story. Ugly periods of history can expose some truly beautiful people.
All the best,
Emilie
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Dear Emilie,
A candle’s light shows up best in the darkness.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was beautiful, Rochelle. It touched my heart and I teared up. What a wonderful woman. It was great writing as always. —— Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Tears are high compliments. Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, Rochelle, there should be a warning to get tissues…such a sad story but what a saint…a true woman of compassion and conviction. Thank you for adding the link.
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Dear Cheryl-Lynn,
It seems that this one has evoked tears from a few readers. Perhaps because Jane Haining’s story evoked tears from the author.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very touching and intensely moving story Rochelle. A sad story but still full of courage.
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Dear Subroto,
Jane Haining was one courageous and dedicated lady. Thank you for your kind comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story of bravery. The information too is also an interesting read.
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Thank you Francesca. 😀
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A moving tribute to a heroic woman. Thank you for opening up another piece of history for us.
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Dear Margaret.
It’s always a pleasure to pass on nuggets of history.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your stories of unsung heroes are really very touching. I really learn about so much from you. Thanks.
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Dear Indira,
You’re very encouraging. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another historical gem – you must research almost constantly to find these snippets of little known Heroes (and the occasional monster).
This was good, you focused the whole story on her positives – faith, kindness, bravery – her final fate is unspoken, almost implied (but all too clear) in that terribly final last sentence.
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Dear KT,
The internet is the greatest place for research and finding the most obscure bits of history. I might just know enough trivia to be moderately interesting at a dinner party. 😉
I must confess that this time the article I linked came from a friend in an email. He thought I might find it interesting. Of course, I found much more on Jane Haining. Courageous and loving woman. My story is based on interviews I saw with two of her “wee bairns.”
Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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great story but the accompanying info was heart wrenching.
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Dear Arora,
Truth is often more tragic than fiction.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
There you go again, pulling out the stops to give us another brilliant piece of historical fiction. I have read about this courageous and compassionate lady somewhere before, thank you for bringing her to the FF audience and to me, to read about her all over again.
Take care
Dee
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Dear Dee,
A friend dropped an article about her in my inbox. Up until then I knew nothing about her. It was more than a pleasure to write about her, it was a mission. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful, heart-rending story, Rochelle! And thanks, as always, for adding more to my knowledge of this era!
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Dear Vijaya,
I loved learning and writing about this dedicated lady.
Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Alas, I was too late — I just tried to submit my story (was out of town, out of reach of wi-fi) now and InLinkz said it was closed.
In any case, if you’re interested, here’s my story:
http://magicsurrealist2013.me/2015/09/02/breaking-free/
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The power evoked in such few words – it always takes my breath away. Another incredible flash piece that really reflects on such horrors that can never truly be understood – even the pieces of the puzzle that offer hope; we can only wonder at people and their choices and decisions.
Great job Rochelle.
Shalom
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Dear Sasha,
That’s a high compliment. Thank you for such kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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