*A SPECIAL WORD OF APPRECIATION*
Thanks to all of your who responded to my message last week. Your words of affirmation renewed my Friday Fictioneers resolve for another year. It was also interesting to learn that others share my pet peeves and added a few of their own.
The most often mentioned pet peeve, aside from serials and multiple prompt stories, was that of certain blogs that make it difficult to leave a comment. I personally made the switch from Blogspot to WordPress three years ago and have no regrets.
******
The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. There is only one prompt per week on which to base your story. However, it is perfectly all right to add other photos to go along with your story, just not to replace the prompt. Our rules are simple and few, this one is non-negotiable. Please remember to credit the photographer. It’s not just a nice thing to do it is PROPER ETIQUETTE!
PHOTO PROMPT – © Dale Rogerson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
GODS AND BEASTS
April 20, 1931
Dearest Brother.
Thank you for the sugar and the ham. I wish you could be here to share my strudel as I am quite alone in the world.
Remember when you came to visit me in Vienna and we went shopping? It was as if a brother dropped from heaven. I still have the dear brooch you bought for me.
How unfair of the insurance company to terminate me because of you. One day these insignificant beings will realize their mistake when your name shines and blazes over Deutschland.
Happy birthday,
Your loving sister,
Paula (Hitler) Wolff
.
.
.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Kilroy was here. Interesting history. Even monsters have sisters who love them. 🙂
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Dear Kilroy,
A man who pays attention to tags. I like that. It’s amazing what you find if you Google “famous secretaries.” Thank you, Archon. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow! I just learned something here, and all because your comment made me go and look up this: http://innovatinghistory.com/who-is-kilroy/
Thanks!
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I am so happy that you (and now hopefully others) have learned something from my comment. Born in 1944, I’m a bit young to have seen it in action. My son occasionally adds it to cardboard with parts he is packing. A couple of coworkers have asked about it, but no questions (or complaints) have ever come back from a customer. 🙂
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This was an interesting story, Rochelle. Thanks for the link you always leave for stories with a connection to history. It seems the love Hitler’s sister had for him wouldn’t let her admit the horror of the wartime acts he committed. Well written as always. — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Like any loyal sister, she loved her brother no matter what. In his case, though, I’d make an exception. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yet again another interesting and informative take on the prompt. It’s hard to see how a sister could continue to love such a sibling, but then there’s a lot that’s hard to understand about that particular period of history. Well done for continuing to remind us. Good take.
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Dear Sandra,
It’s mind boggling isn’t it? All of it.
Thank you for coming by to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautifully constructed and as intriguing as ever.
Fascinating back story.
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Dear CE,
I’m glad you thought so. I’ll treasure your comment more than I can say. 😉 ❤
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He wasn’t all bad. Don’t forget: he killed Hitler!
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Dear Mick,
Your comment has me scratching my head. Who killed Hitler?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hitler did.
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You mean suicide? I can’t see that there was any good in that monster.
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I do mean suicide. Killing himself was the best thing he ever did.
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If only he’d done it in 1930.
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I’d like to have seen him on trial.
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And then sentenced to one of his own camps to die slowly from cold and starvation. On and perhaps an experiment or two done on him in the meantime.
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What an interesting story. To grow up with such a legacy must have been hard, totally dependent, I had to read a little about Paula, and I can just wonder how she was inside.
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Dear Björn,
The Hitler family put the D in Dysfunctional to begin with. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like after the Holocaust.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your stories always make me hungry! You write about food so well. Judicious word choices. Love it. NaNoWriMo is coming next week. Hopefully I will have time to keep up with the prompts.
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Dear J Hardy,
I’ve threatened to take part in NaNoWriMo for ten years now. Nope, not this year either. Best wishes and happy writing to you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I read an article about Hitler’s relatives in the States. They changed their names slightly. Heidler, Hadler, etc. Kind of a bad last name. Worse than the mustache, even.
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And before Adolf the name was changed from Shtickelgruber to Hüttler and Heidler. Circle game there.
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So, the sense of human beings being insignificant beings is a shared family perception.
And a shared family illness. A shared family demented perversion, obsession and compulsion to act out against those insignificant others with wholesale, retaliatory, heinous and genocidal plotted campaigns of destruction.
I’ll pay for her insurance – if it would change anything.
Very good and very upsetting story – obviously.
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Anyone not upset by this worries me. I’ve only borrowed a few words from a letter Ms. Hitler posted in 1957. She couldn’t see that her brother did anything wrong. Appalling, dismaying, frightful, confounding and nauseating.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Crisply and elegantly written, as always, and what a thought-provoking story. The mundane makes the monstrous even more frightening. They can pretend to be like the rest, but it’s what they think that isn’t. Her reference to the insignifant beings, and the horrible attitude in the wiki infor gives the truth away. If this mindset only had died with them…
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Dear GAH,
With Halloween on the horizon, writing about monsters seemed the proper theme. As for the mindset, it’s ancient history and, at the same time, current events.
Thank you for your kind comment re my writing and story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Telling words (these insignificant beings) – gently indicating a family predilection to superiority, to dehumanizing others. Monsters are rarely solitary.
Nicely done.
Cheers
KT
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Dear KT,
Alas, Hitler was not a one of a kind monster, he’s just the best documented one.
Thank you for your affirming comments here and on your own page this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Unfortunately, monsters come in all shapes and forms. If only there was a way to recognize them sooner, but I think we would abuse that ability too. Chillingly good story.
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Dear Loré,
With all the children the Hitlers lost in childhood, this one had to survive.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again, your words are source of historical information. I’ll echo everyone else in that even monsters have family who love them…proof that blood is thicker than water, I guess!
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Dear Dale,
I love it when I can shed light on obscure bits of history. They’re out there if a person looks for them. If we’d had the internet when I was in school I might have passed history. 😉 (maybe).
Thank you for your words and your wonderful photo. I think Friday Fictioneers has ruined all of us for snapshots.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hear you. The Internet has so changed how we do research.
I think you may be right (on the snapshot thing!)
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You did a wonderful job in such a small amount of words. The start is comfy to include the brother’s kindness with gifts, but the ending shifts mood to show the sister’s bared teeth: “insignificant beings” and blazing name. A very well written story.
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Dear Dave,
Paula actually used those words when she bared her teeth in 1957.
Happy to see you here and glad you liked my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, your lovely prose reminds me of those people related to or who live next to a serial killer (as Hitler was) or some other monster, who say, “But s/he was such a nice person.” Worse if it’s someone in your family who attains this sort of notoriety, but perhaps if you knew them when they were normal (or as normal as they might ever be), you’d still retain that love. How very difficult and terrible!
janet
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Dear Janet,
I’m currently reading a book about Hitler by his boyhood friend. It doesn’t look like he was ever ‘normal’. No doubt, though, a lonely younger sister probably didn’t see that.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always learn something new when I read your stories. This week was no different! Nicely done 🙂
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Dear Akash,
Your comment makes me very happy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The pleasure is all mine.
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After all this time, I am still amazed that you still amaze me with all that you project in so few words. Amazing……you are indeed a Master wordsmith, AND, history teacher.
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Dear Jan,
What better comment can a wife receive from her husband of 44 years?
Thank you.
Love,
Rochelle
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Rochelle — I’m very late to the party, having missed this post last week while crunched at work, but I wanted to chime in and add my congratulations for three years of tireless work! I’ve only been doing this for a few months now, and only just discovered the very idea of flash fiction then, but it’s had a huge impact on my writing. And I’ve gotten such wonderful comments and felt so welcomed by other “passengers on this bus”, it’s really helped me during times when I wondered if this blogging thing was going to work or not. Your comments in particular, Rochelle, are always so kind and thoughtful, and I appreciate them very much. Thank you for being such a wonderful fairy blogmother!
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Dear Joy,
This is a very welcoming community. I love the cultural diversity. I’m pleased to know that you’ve gotten help with your writing. I feel the same way. We’re always growing and learning. Glad you bought your ticket and came aboard.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the photo, and the Thoreau quote.
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Dear Paper Sea,
I’m glad you like them. Of course I hope my story factors in somewhere. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There is a special place in the afterlife for men like Hitler – and it isn’t at all pleasant, I’m sure of it. Another look into history from a great writer. Thanks, Rochelle.
(P.S. Sadly, I’ve learned to avoid FF entries that are too difficult to leave replies and I feel bad about it. I used to read some, loved the writing but got frustrated with all the hoops I needed to jump through to leave a comment.)
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Dear Alicia,
I’d like to think that Hitler is the constant subject of experiments and that he’s had his penis removed without anesthetic and shoved down his throat…over and over. (No anger here)
Not only have I scaled back on commenting on blogs that are difficult to comment on but have also scaled back on the non-reciprocals. It gets old…even for she who gets many comments. 😉
Thank you for your kind words re my writing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, Rochelle, another crystal clear insight into something I didn’t know about. Maybe the other week I could replaced the dog line with “Hitler was nice to his sister”.
I had forgotten bout blogspot comment difficulties but I’m with you on that one too. Thank you for joining us on wordpress!
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Dear Jen,
I love wow at the beginning of a comment. 😉 I didn’t know about Paula either until I Googled ‘famous secretaries.’
I’ve never regretted the move to WordPress. So much simpler and user friendly.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One never thinks of Hitler having family who loved him. Truly a different take on an old subject.
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Dear Phyllis,
Research is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet. Like you. ;0)
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Your stories always, always teach me something! I had never heard of Paula Wolff-nee-Hitler. I went an read the article, and her account of her life, and was somewhat dumbstruck by it all. Thank you for adding to my store of knowledge about this part of history!
And your story was, as always, wonderful, thought-provoking, and … oddly moving, considering it was about a monster’s sister!
Well-done!
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Dear Vijaya,
I learned something, too. Up until this week I knew nothing of Paula Hitler. What a family heritage.
Thank you for your sweet words re my story.
Shalom,
Your Fairy Blog-Mother, Rochelle
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I always wonder about those who were relatives of, or close to, the perpetrators of horror in the Holocaust, and also elsewhere. How much denial can a person live with?
Conversely, how much guilt can a person live with.
These questions always occupied me while I taught my eighth-grade students about this time period, while reading “Night” or “Friedrich.”
Good questions for life, as well, don’t you think?
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Excellent questions, Vijaya. Here’s one man’s response. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOHzPEji6JI I think this will interest you. 😉
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I’ll check it out. Thanks much, Rochelle!
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I checked out the video. Very moving, and also very positive. What a good man, someone who not only dealt with the bitter truth about his father, but also went in the opposite direction, far from his father’s anti-Semitism, to the point of becoming a Jew in Israel! A GREAT story. Thanks for the link!
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My pleasure. I want to meet Bernd and hug him.
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🙂 I know how you feel.
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I like this one…it inspired me to do a bit of research! Thanks 🙂
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Dear SNB,
Always happy to inspire research. Welcome to my world. 😉
Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very interesting take on the prompt! However, as informative as it was, I found it difficult as a standalone story and without the extra information.
Perhaps this is your ploy to educate us all. 😉
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Dear Miss KZ,
it wasn’t a ploy, but if it meant a bit of education it’s all good.
Thank you for honest feedback.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting story and history as always! And blood is thicker than wine. She is human after all and good that she loved her brother regardless.
Lily
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Dear Lily,
I’ll admit that it’s hard for me to think of ‘Hitler’ and ‘human’ in the same context. But it does stand to reason that a sister would be loyal to her brother.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is what one would definitely call unconditional love, despite the obvious horrors. A very interesting post and the reading attached is fascinating.
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Dear Francesca,
It would have to be unconditional love. I’m not sure if that were my brother if I could remain so loyal.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
you have an amazing gift of making history come alive, and history that I never knew as well. I’m sure in the 150+ stories of yours I’ve read, I’ve learned quite a bit. Thank you for the background. It really made the story that much more vivid.
-David
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Dear David,
Your comment makes me smile.
Thank you on all counts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Certainly a different take on what we know about the man. Well done, Rochelle.
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Dear Corina,
Although it seems like that kind of person was hatched under a rock like a serpent, he wasn’t.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some months back I had read about members of Hitler’s family who are now settled in USA and the pact they made to not have any children. Cant find that exact article but here is another on on the same topic http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/10/end-hitlers-family-line-pact-sons-hitlers-nephew-never-children/
I suppose even evil people have someone who loves them. Interesting take on Hitler’s sister.
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What a fascinating pact — glad they made it! I’ll check out your link.
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Dear Subroto,
A fascinating article. I’ve bookmarked it. Who knows what stories might emerge? 😉
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Again you have introduced me to a character from history that I didn’t know of. Family will always love family (in most circumstances) no matter how bad a family member is.
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Dear Irene,
I was also unaware of Hitler’s sister until I researched famous secretaries. Who knew? I’m not sure how I would feel if he were my brother.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know Rochelle.
I think it is probably something you couldn’t say with 100% certainty until you were in that position. But you like to think you’d take a stance for human rights and mankind.
Cheers Irene
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That 1957 statement of hers tells it all. Monsters all.
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Further research tells me she was no innocent bystander.
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Crumbs! I wasn’t expecting that. For some reason I’ve never considered that Hitler even had a family. I Googled her and found she died in 1960, and it also said that it was probable she shared his beliefs.
I love flash fiction portrayed as a diary or letter.
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Dear Ali,
I was appalled by the missive Paula wrote about her brother in 1957. Happily she never married or procreated. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love my siblings, but even I would draw the line at some point. Great story.
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Dear Chioma,
I feel the same way. If my brother was a monster like that it would be over.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Adolf had a quite large family. Most of them lived fairly uneventful lives.
Still, can you imagine? And I thought my family had its embarrassing black sheep branch.
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Dear Dave,
Most definitely the Hitlers put the D in dysfunctional. Alois Hitler, Papa Hitler wasn’t wrapped too tightly himself.
My family has a few ‘interesting’ folks as well. Heck, I might very well be one of them. 😉
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s been a long time since I ventured out online. Been a long time without a computer, too. Found I couldn’t find my cheat book with my blog and passwords for my old page here on wordpress. So, I finally bit the virtual bullet and started from scratch. Glad to see you’re all still here and going strong. 🙂
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Oh, if you remember me, I’m Starfire.
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Dear Starfire,
I do remember you. Friday Fictioneers is one of those things I can’t see myself giving up just yet. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great! I had some rough road. A small stroke that set me back a little. Getting my legs back under me, and my words back, too.
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We can’t change our family and we can’t choose them either. Another great prompt as always.
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Dear Solo,
We definitely have no power over our family but we are responsible for our life choices.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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interesting story showing a glimmer of hitler’s humanity. i didn’t know he had a younger sister.
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Dear Plaridel,
Hitler’s sister came as a surprise to me as well. I knew his mother had lost other children but I thought he was only survivor. Research and learn. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Someone said it so well here. Even monsters are loved by someone, although in this case, it’s hard to believe. I guess that’s living in denial. Interesting history, Rochelle, and a very well told and executed story!
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Dear Amy,
I can’t imagine being related to such a beast.
Thank you for reading and leaving nice comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had no idea he had any siblings at all. Your posts are always educational.
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Thank you, Alice. 😀
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Dear Betty Crock(er),
For some reason, I expected Paula to have a small mustache (she must have shaved for the photo). Did she throw the chair in the office cesspool, or was it her former employer? I guess they didn’t want a chair that a stinking Nazi had sat in. It wouldn’t even make good soup.
See you at the underwear factory. Don’t be late!
Rip Skinflint
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Dear Rip (Torn) Skinflint,
There was some seriously skewed DNA going on in that family. Heading to the underwear factory now. Save some swamp grass for me.
Betty
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Paula Hitler does produce a shudder doesn’t it.
The letter format works well – says it all and some without needing comment.
On a trip to Munich we passed the innocuous looking beer hall where Hitler first stirred up trouble. Odd experience.
You might enjoy an amazing book (Life after Life by the wonderful Kate Atkinson). Since the heroine just happens to live again and again and so knows the future and the past (it does work I assure you and it doesn’t turn into Sci Fi or fantasy because of this odd fact) she sets out during one of her lives to kill Hitler. It sounds very weird and somewhat trite putting it like this – there is a lot more to this serious very readable book than that, but it plays an interesting part.
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Dear Miranda,
That sounds like a book to set the mind racing. What would the world have been like if someone had killed Hitler, say, during the Beer Hall Putsch?
Thank you for reading and commenting. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an interesting take on the prompt. Filial affection is a powerful thing particularly when it is the only love you receive.
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Dear Joseph,
You bring up a good point.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m always fascinated by how you dredge up these obscure yet interesting bits of history. Well executed…the letter feels authentic.
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Dear Ansumani,
Thank you for such lovely comments. Dredge certainly fits this photo prompt, doesn’t it? 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Intriguing story and history of the most hated man in the world. A true monster.:)
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Dear Susan,
No love lost here.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love my brother so much! But he is pretty lovable. I’m glad I was never faced with such choices.
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Dear Dawn,
I love my one and only brother, too. I’m also happy he’s not a monster. A bit ornery perhaps. 😉
Thank you for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating story and link. Obviously his sister shared his worldview – along with the thousands of others who followed him. That’s what puzzles me. How can so many seemingly normal people be so blind to evil?
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Dear Margaret,
After the scathing missive she wrote in 1957 I’d say she shared his world view. More’s the pity.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was interesting how the character’s feelings towards her brother lets the reader see him from another’s eyes, outside of what we know him to be.
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Dear SJ,
It’s hard to see your own brother as a monster, even though hers certainly was one.
Thank you for stopping in to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No problem I enjoyed the read 🙂
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