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 © Lisa Fox
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
WE BEGIN WITH THE YOUNG
“I like the pretty golden bird on the cover of this book, Opa. What’s it about?
Herrick gently took the blue, leather-bound volume from his granddaughter.
“This was given to me a very long time ago.”
“Will you read me a bedtime story from it?”
Gathering Gretchen onto his lap, Herrick closed his eyes and remembered the day the youth leader had issued him a fresh uniform and the virulent tome. So proud he’d been to serve his country. So fervent.
Herrick fished a pack of matches from his pocket.
“Nein, Liebling. I ‘ve a better plan für dieses buch.”
Original artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
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Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
This makes me curious about why he kept the book at all
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Dear Neil,
A valid question. This story is loosely based on my rabbi’s invitation from a German pastor years ago to come and speak to his congregation. The book was found in the attic. They put the book on the BBQ grill and sang “David, Melech Y’israel, David King of Israel” as the it went up in flames.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ignoramus here – what was the book about?
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Dear Joy,
Hitler youth were “gifted” with a copy of the Führer’s book, “Mein Kampf”. Required reading for good little Nazi drones. (you’re not an ignoramus).
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, ok. Just yesterday I was thinking I should read it too. To know the mind of a psychopath.
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Your writing is so graceful and elegant, Rochelle, it often makes we forget the horror.
A lovely moment in time between grandfather and granddaughter.
Peace
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Such a lovely comment. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Most welcome, dear Rochelle. Shalom.
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There is no better place to put that book “Mein Kamph “ than on a good fire.
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Dear Jan,
So fitting. Burn, Baby, burn.
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Egomaniac, psychopath–whatever, the book made horror seem innocent and right. Many young people got sucked into the morass, and regretted it as the truth unfolded. Yes. Burn that book.
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Dear Linda,
I’ve looked for the video but can’t find it. Some time ago, my rabbi was invited to speak a church in Nuremberg. Needless to say he was apprehensive about going. He was welcomed with open arms. One evening, his host found a copy of Mein Kampf in a closet or attic. The pastor Jobst Bitner (I believe that’s his name) said, “We need to burn this.” So they put it on the BBQ grill, set it on fire while they gathered arm in arm around it singing, “David Melech Yisrael.” A Hebrew song proclaiming the Son of David is a live and well.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A friend of mine has a German husband and I’m fascinated by the stories of those who were innocently, naively coopted into the Nazi machine. “You have to be carefully taught” as the saying goes, and they were.
I fervently oppose the banning of books, but I could make an exception.
Jen
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Dear Jen,
Isn’t it ironic considering the Nazis burned many books they considered “dangerous.” I have some German friends who still feel the guilt from two generations ago.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful storytelling, Rochelle. Perfect title for it. I think putting it into a museum is a better idea, but yours works also.
Thanks for using my pic this week. Can’t wait to see the rest of the stories it generates.
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p.s. that’s funny, even though you didn’t say what the plans were for the book, my mind went to burning it. Apologies for assuming. My mind loves to fill in the blanks…
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Dear Lisa,
I’m sure there are plenty of copies that have been preserved as a reminder. I applaud your sharp mind. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you are very welcome and your stories make me think.
Shalom,
Lisa
p.s. I just started reading your book. Compelling story. I’m just to the part where she’s about to go “upstairs.”
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😘💜
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Rochelle, what a good and thought-provoking story especially with the Nazis’ history of book burning. Just goes to show that just because it’s in a book doesn’t mean it’s good.
-David
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Dear David,
Having read a few self published books, I can say that just because it’s in a book…LOL. But that’s not the same thing, is it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved this!
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Thanks, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As Jen said above, the burning of books is an act of ominous intent, but I think I could understand the reaction in this case. Your stories never disappoint, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Some books are meant to be incinerated. This one should rot in hell with its author. Thank you for you lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Beautiful and subtle writing. I didn’t immediately realise exactly which book they were talking about. D’oh! Your drawing adds an extra layer to your words.
Shalom and lotsa love that teaches good,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’m glad the book snuck up on you. 😉 Thank you for your kind words. This is an oldie but a goodie before I fell in love with watercolour.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess, sometimes, I can be slow… 😉
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I guessed what the book was, but why had he kept it? Lizy
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Dear Lizy,
I don’t think keeping it was a conscious thing. Probably got tossed in a box and shoved into a closet.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Have you read The Book Thief? The Jew one of the main characters rescues is given a copy of Mein Kampf to make it easier to get from one place to another. Well done!
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Dear Lish,
The Book Thief is one of my all time favorites. The movie was nearly as good as the book. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve listened to the audiobook at least six times and have a hard copy, too. The movie didn’t touch on even a quarter of the book’s themes. Definitely a thumbs down on that one.
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I know others who’d kept it, not because they wanted or liked it, but because they worried that no one would believe what had happened and what drove the ideology of hate and murder. And because by keeping it, they proved him wrong, and their survival as the ultimate failure of his plan. The book was kept the way an extracted bullet would, or a piece of shrapnel.
Strong piece, my friend. xx Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
It’s the same reason that when Eisenhower liberated Ohrdruf, he ordered his men to take pictures. He said years from then some idiot would try to say the Holocaust never happened. Nu?
Thank you for your total understanding of my story and your validating comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed, there is a reason to keep concrete historical evidence, seeing that there are so many who are intent on destroying history, no matter the evidence…
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He’s probably right to burn the book, a symbolic gesture. However I imagine those such as he, who were forced into Nazi organisations as youngsters, would never be able to escape the memories, and the shame of their involvement. Indoctrination of these children made them victims. Evil.
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Dear Margaret,
The children were the most susceptible victims. Burning is too good for that book. Thank you for your validating comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So much layered beneath this short piece. So much horror taught so simply. Nicely done as always
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