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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
Please be considerate of your fellow fictioneers. Keep your word count to 100 or less. Thank you.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
HOUSE OF LIFE
I was only a child in 1943, the year my world flipped upside down. The Germans arrested my father. What could my caro papà have done to make him a prime enemy of the Third Reich?
Our neighbor, who was a nurse, took Mammina and me to Fatebenefratelli Hospital. “Dr. Borromeo will take good care of you.”
“But I’m not sick,” I said.
“Anzi, bella, you are very sick with Syndrome K.” Dr. Borromeo assigned us to a room with a sign on the door that read, Altamente Contagioso “Any time you see Wehrmacht uniforms, cough like you are dying.”
*
Fatebenefratelli Hospital
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Another of your gems from history! Thank you
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Thank you, Neil for the compliment. Always my pleasure to share history as I learn it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting wartime historical story, Rochelle. Many Jews were of course saved by kind people in such ways. Good writing as always. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
There are so many stories. No doubt there are hundreds more that have never been told. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s always so good to know there were many good people available.
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Dear Larry,
There are the righteous among us, and for these I am grateful. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a heart warming story in the midst of such horror. Hats off to the courageous doctors who came up with the ruse. Another wonderful slice of historical fiction.
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Dear Subroto,
This was a new one on me. My rabbi passed the video along saying he thought I might be able to write something. He was right. 😉 Than you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Angels in human form. Thanks for sharing Rochelle
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Thank you, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The art of survival malingering. Great piece, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Josh. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A touch of warmth in very cold times. Thank you for including the really interesting video as a footnote to your piece.
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Dear Keith,
I’m glad you clicked the link and watched the video. Fascinating piece of history I only recently found out. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had not heard of Syndrome K before. Very clever.
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Dear Trent,
My rabbi passed this along to me. I’d never heard of it either. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A flicker of humanity in grim times.
Your usual accomplished tale, m’lady.
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Thank you, kind sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I’ve read about that hospital… Shivers…. Great write, and I hope they survive.
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Dear Jelli,
For at least 20 Jews that hospital was the best place to be to ‘recover’ from Syndrome K. They lived to tell about it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I read about that part as well. Sometimes these places can be a two edged sword Good on one side, sharply evil on the other,
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I especially loved the dark humor in the naming of the syndrome… I think we need to honor everyone who acted to save humans from the horrible destiny
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Dear Björn,
I’m glad you caught the humor in the name. It’s nice to know that in the midst of the great atrocity there were still those who had a conscience and did something about it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had never heard of Syndrome K before. I love learning about these pieces of history you share, and the amazing people in them. Lovely story.
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Dear Jen,
Your comment makes me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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For all the Italian Fascist shortcomings, the Leggi Razziali were only drawn up on German insistence, were very unpopular in Italy and were largely unimplemented. When the Italians dumped Mussolini and withdrew their army from France, they took the Jews with them rather than leave them to the tender mercies of the German occupier and the French collaborationist administration. Good story, Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Jane,
There are some great stories of the righteous in Italy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There are.
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Dear Rochelle,
I love that you bring to light heroes of all genres. We go to bed each week just a tad smarter. Brilliant doctor for coming up with such a simple ruse, when you think of it!
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Ah. What a compliment! The doctor was brilliant. I love the description in the video and other articles about the Nazis running like scared rabbits 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well deserved. I shared this FF with my new buddy Marco who is supposed to try his hand at FF soon. He was blown away by it and wowed how you did that from the video link. He is also a history buff so… Methinks you might have a new fan!
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Sweet. Tell him to hop on board the FF bus anytime. 😉
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Absolutely. He’ll be a great addition!
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Syndrome K saved some lives for sure.
Such a sad part of our history.
Well narrated, Rochelle.
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Dear Anita,
It is a sad part of history. Too bad more gruesome chapters are being ‘written.’ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Read a story about how Albanian Muslims saved Jews during the Holocaust. Fascinating history.
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Thanks for the tip, James.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful bit of history you’ve brought to life. I had never heard of this before. Great storytelling, as always.
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Dear Karen,
This is one I didn’t know about until recently. My rabbi passed it along and thought I might be able to glean a story from it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom
Rochelle
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So many unsung heroes, it is nice to remember them. Beautifully done, as ever.
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Many thanks, Loré.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fascinating story, Rochelle. I always leave your site a little wiser than when I came and I appreciate that.
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Dear Sandra,
I would never want you to leave empty handed (or headed 😉 ) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Enjoyed your little slice of history . I sometimes ask myself, what would I have done? Nice to imagine oneself enlightened and heroic, but if next year some group, say Muslims, would be under fire, would I have the courage of my convictions, to use a cliche?
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Dear Christine,
I ask myself the same questions. One of the most memorable answers to the question came from Corrie Ten Boom’s father when she was a child.
“When do I give you your ticket?”
“When we board the train.”
I think we don’t know what we’ll actually do until coming face to face with the situation.
Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a slick way of protecting people. Brilliant!
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Thank you, Alice. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The crazy things people had to do to survive. It’s good to know that some kindly, humane, people remained to protect them from those murderous Nazi psychopaths. An awesome piece of history, Rochelle.
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Dear Eric,
Sometimes I wonder if we’ve even scratched the surface with these stories. Just when I think I’ve heard them all, another pops up. They make me smile. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
You wrote that story very fluently and believably. Thank you, too, for the video link which was very interesting.
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
Glad you went to the video link. So many stories. So little time. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The harrowing times, expertly portrayed. This story reminds me of Anne Frank. Excellent as usual, Rochelle. Cheers, Varad.
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Dear Varad,
There are so many stories, and even diaries, that mirror Anne Frank’s. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent story of survival and a heroic doctor. I always get a history lesson with your stories. Good job.
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Thank you, m’luv. No charge for the history lesson. 😉
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Kind brave nurse neighbour. Tragically too many worlds are still being flipped upside down.
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Dear Jilly,
Lives turned upside down and childhoods cut short. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I vaguely remember hearing of this before, thank you for illuminating. A fabulous tale of hope in a dark time.
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Many thanks, Iain. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve read so much about WWII, and yet there is still more to learn. Thanks for introducing me to this lovely story.
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Dear Linda,
There are so many stories from WWII, I doubt that any one person will ever know the whole of it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for sharing this fascinating story and video link. It chilled me and warmed me at the same time.
Best wishes
Edith
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Dear Edith,
I couldn’t ask for a better comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a moving story, Rochelle. I loved your title after the name received by the hospital. The video moved me to tears.
I admire how beautifully you shape historical facts into powerful stories.
Love and best wishes,
Moon
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Dear Moon,
I’m pleased that you picked up on the title and its meaning. Thank you so much for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A good doctor and a well told historical reminder. Thanks for sharing your historical knowledge Rochelle. Cheers Irene
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Dear Irene,
Thank you for such a lovely comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, what a great inspirational tale. The world needs millions more like her.
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Thank you, Anurag. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wonderful story. The courage of everyone involved is inspiring. You tell it so well, through a child’s experiences. Thank you for sharing this story.
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Dear Sarah,
It’s nice to know there are good people in the world, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful story, told so simply, about such a big subject. I found it so moving.
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Thank you, Francine. Your comments make me smile. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very clever, and brave of the doctors and nurses.
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Very clever indeed, Ali. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is poignant and scary for a little girl. A sad reminder of evil times.
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Dear Vivian,
A horrible time to be a child. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure!
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This story left me with a lump in my throat and prickling of the hair on the back of my neck. Great story my friend.
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Dear Renee,
The lump in your throat is high praise. Thank you, my friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great piece of writing. Amazing hospital and doctor. If only we could bottle such compassion and spread it around the world.
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Dear Michael,
I agree. I wish compassion would become an epidemic. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do not purport to understand all the phrases (I am too tired to look them up) with a night shift looming I am only flying in and out, but this story is unmistakably you, Rochelle. I think I could spot your prose blindfolded!
Shalom
Kelvin
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Dear Kelvin,
That you can spot my prose blindfolded I take as a magnificent compliment. Hope you get some rest soon. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gosh… this is tense and full of drama. I could actually hear a ticking clock
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What a nice thing to say, Laurie. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So many people were kind during that time. Thank you for reminding us with this delightful tale of childish questions about grown-up problems. And the title!!! Perfect.
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Dear Alicia,
I’m glad you picked up on my title. 😉 Not everyone pays attention. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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you never fail to come up with a great story. well done.
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thank you so much, plaridel. 😀
shalom,
rochelle
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Ingenious!
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Thank you!
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Such a moving story. Brought home the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis. Saw the accompanying video too. As usual no one does historical fiction like you do, Rochelle. Cheers, Varad.
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Dear Neel,
Oh dear, did I call you Varad? Oy, mia culpa. I must stop reading and commenting before coffee and sunrise. At any rate, your sweet comments are always appreciated. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was one brave/ set of brave doctors. Strange to think of coughing like you’re dying could save lives, but thankfully an easy thing to do. A wonderfully full story in so few words and thanks for the link giving us a title more.
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Dear Sarah Ann,
Life is full of twists, turns and ironies, isn’t it? Thank you for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this -poignant
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Dear Alexa Echo, echo, echo . . .,
Just reading your post gave me the Tu-ber-cu-lucas and the Sinus Blueshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB1WdJsbyEI
Thank God for righteous Gentiles, and for David Lindley
Steve Out-of-Jobs
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Dear Steve Out-Of-Jobs
Love the song. I doubt if we’ll ever know the actual number of these precious individuals who put their lives on the line for other humans in peril. Interesting unrelated fact. In Jerusalem at Yad V’Shem the Holocaust Museum, there is a row of trees that were planted in honor of may righteous gentiles such as the good doctor. When Corrie Ten Boom passed away her tree died, also. Another tree was planted in its place.
You may go back to your regularly scheduled loafing.
Shalom,
Alexa Echo, echo, echo…
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The doctor was an angel without wings and sound advice. A ray of hope amidst the dark clouds of terror. a slice of history to remember.
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Dear Kalpana,
The doctor was indeed an angel without wings. Thank you for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Either you have a mind packed with history or you’re a whizz at research. Well done, again.
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Dear Liz,
That would be the latter. 😉 However my mind is packed with history as a result of all the research. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great prompt! good stuff!
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Merci, Issa. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
La historia tiene tantas cuentas. You have told another story giving us insight into
what it took to survive those times. Always sad to know about them … ~~~ : – (
Abrazos y Shalom, mi amiga
Isadora 😎
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Querida Issy,
Verdad triste. Hay muchas cuentas. Gracias para tus palábras simpaticas, mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos
Rochelle
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😍
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Dear Rochelle,
Thank you for the “Syndrome K” lesson. Your story is a blessing.
With love,
Dan
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Dear Dan,
I’m always happy to pass along history lessons as I learn them. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I love how your stories often embody history. I’ve never heard of Syndrome K and how it was used to save Jewish lives. Thank God for the courage and creativity of the doctors and nurses of Fatebenefratelli.
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Dear Jan,
It always gives me a smile when you come by. So much history, so little time. I’m glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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really enjoyed learning about Syndrome K- clever!
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Thank you, Yvette. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so much for writing this flash and linking through to further information about Syndrome K. I would always like to think I would stand on the side of what was right, even under such incredible risk. I also admire how inventive people can be when pushed to extremes and have to think out of the box.
BTW your flash was also well-written and told the story well.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Dear Rowena,
There are so many amazing survival stories. Thank God for those righteous individuals who did think outside of the box. Re my story, thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another history lesson for me! Loved it! Thanks for filling in all those yawning holes of ignorance in my mind.
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Dear Lavanya,
I think we all have yawning holes when it comes to ignorance. Together we learn. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great that the doctor was recognised. And good to see the buidling still there.
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Dear Patrick,
It makes me happy to know that he has been recognized and happy that you took the time to read and comment on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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wonderful doctors to concoct a disease to save lives…as I write that it seems ironic. Thanks, Rochelle. I didn’t know this story. Well done as always.
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Dear Sascha,
There is a lot of irony in this story, right down to the name Syndrome K. The K was after a Nazi officer. I only learned of this story a month ago. No doubt there are stories we’ll never know. So many unsung heroes. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful to read of the creative ways they sought to save people in those times.
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Dear Fatima,
I’ve heard and read some amazing stories about the indomitable human spirit. Happy to be able to share this one. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so much for sharing this story, Rochelle.
Sometimes you might feel you’ve heard all there is to hear about the war, the heroism and the despicable acts that took place during those years. Then you see a true tale like this and you realise there must have been countless small acts of courage taking place all over Europe during these days. ‘Small acts’ only in the sense that they weren’t orchestrated by governments – huge in the impact they had on those who were saved.
‘Whoever saves one life saves the world entire’ – that’s the saying, isn’t it? And it’s true – save one life and the world is saved for them, for their family, for their descendants.
Beautiful, moving, heavenly story.
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Dear Lynn,
Not everyone could be a hero on a mass scale, but those who were only able to save a ‘few’ did their part in saving the world. Thank you for your moving comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartwarming story. There are good people in the world, people who will and do give up their lives for others.
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