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 © Mr. Binks
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
HEART OF GOLD WITH A SHMEAR
Bronia loved Kansas City. Who would have dreamed she would have such a home and business.
She loved her customers at M&M Bakery and never forgot a name.
“Do you hate the Germans?” People would ask her.
“You cannot condemn a nation. What will hate give me? I’d be a miserable, bitter person.”
One afternoon, a man burst into her deli wielding a gun. “Give me all your money or die!”
Undaunted, heart racing, Bronia stuffed a donut in his mouth. “You think I’m afraid? Hitler couldn’t kill me. No robber will kill me either!”
The would-be thief fled emptyhanded.
A bit more about this amazing woman and her legacy:
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A powerful face-off. I can’t help but feel, though, the robber could easily have killed him and might even have been tripped into doing so by the taunt
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Dear Neil,
I guess Bronia had the element of surprise on her side. After what she’d been through in the camp, she figured the worst this guy could do was kill her. At any rate, it’s one of those truth is stranger than fiction kind of stories. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well at least he didn’t leave empty-handed. Brave lady! And resiliently phlegmatic. Happy homecoming.
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Dear Sandra,
She was a brave lady. I wish I’d met her…here she was right in my own hometown. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He could have panicked and shot her. No one is bulletproof.
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Dear James,
True. No one is bullet proof. Although I don’t know for sure this clown had a gun. One would assume, but we know what that does. 😉 Nonetheless, it’s a true story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Internal strength indeed! I find that same strength in every survivor i’ve ever spoken to. When I get down, I frequently remember them and their stories and it helps me get through another day. Will try to read what I can this week.
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Dear Anonymous (sounds like Bear)
I guess once you’ve been through hell and survived, nothing is all that frightening. Thank you.
Shalom,’
Rochelle
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I love this line
“You cannot condemn a nation. What will hate give me? I’d be a miserable, bitter person.”
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Dear Reena,
It is a great line for which I can claim no originality. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“You cannot condemn a nation. What will hate give me? I’d be a miserable, bitter person.”
This gave her the character, attitude, and courage. What a brave lady.
Beautiful, inspiring story, Rochelle. Shalom.
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Dear Indira,
She really had a positive outlook. Which is most likely how she survived and flourished. Thank you for your kind comments re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure, Rochelle. Shalom.
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Emptyhanded but with a mouthful!
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This comment was mine! I don’t know why this came up as anonymous other than WordPress hates to stay logged in.
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Dear Liam,
Thank you for the comment and identifying yourself. WP has been pretty wonky for a while.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an incredible woman, Rochelle.
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Dear Jen,
She certainly was. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Heartbreaking that she suffered through Holocaust. How could anyone dispute what she told to the robber. Seeing that she passed the business over to someone she knew and approved of brings tears to my eyes. And that food looks delicious! Is this a place you go to, Rochelle? Those cookies and sandwiches, YUM!
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Dear Lisa,
I love it when I find these amazing stories online. And this one shows up in my own back yard. I’ve never been there, but hope to rectify that one of these days and meet this lovely couple. Thank you for such a sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I hope you do and see if you can get a pic with them! You’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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she was lucky to have survived this confrontation, indeed. otherwise, she could have been shot and died.
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Dear Plaridel,
Truth is stranger than fiction. What could’ve happened didn’t. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not the reaction he expected but it certainly paid off. Fortune favours the brave.
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Dear Rochelle,
You have introduced us to yet another wonderful character from history. Bronia’s surprise move stuffed that robbery and showed him what she was made of!
How lovely the new owner respects everything she created.
Shalom and lotsa fearless love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I really hope it to make it down there one of these days to meet the owners.
She sounds like someone worth knowing. Wish I had. Ah the element of surprise was in her favour. 😉
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom and lotsa brave new hugs,
Rochelle
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You must!
And yes, she does and it was!
You are most welcome.
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A wonderful mixture of tension and humour, courage and soul. Love the donut in the mouth strategy, but boy oh boy, it might not have worked. Great story, Rochelle. Thank you for sharing it in your usual inimitable way.
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Dear Margaret,
In this story I couldn’t improve on the truth. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved both the story and the video. I’m not much of a traveler, but I’d travel to eat a Reuben there!
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I’m with you, Fishman! 😋
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Dear Michael and Nancy,
I hope to make it down there one of these days. The current owner sounds like someone I want to meet, too. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This could have gone either way, not sure if she was brave or stupid.
Entertaining though.
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Dear Dawn,
I guess it’s anyone’s judgement call. 😉 What happened happened. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fiesty woman. Oh the horrors she must have survived. Great read.
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Dear Meha,
I can’t begin to imagine the horrors she survived. Apparently it made her stronger. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a brave woman! Another great story, Rochelle!
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Wow to that courageous woman and another wow to Pat for keeping the bakery (and Bronia’s values) alive.
This is an incredible story (nothing new for you!) brimming with courage and determination … a truly inspiring read.
Shalom
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
There are some things you just can’t make up. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a wild story, proving there are worse things in life than death. And It’s wonderful that the new owners updated the bakery and made it their own while still keeping Bronia’s legacy.
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Dear Michele,
Can you imagine the shock the would-be robber experienced? I hope to get down to that bakery and meet the owners one of these days. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing
What a woman.
I’m sure glad they weren’t killed by a robber with a twitchy finger. Brave. I guess that at a certain point you are willing to risk everything, then it would be hard to be scared of the little things. Well told.
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Dear Laurie,
I do admire Bronia for standing up to the robber. I couldn’t make up a better story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a real bad ass. The guy still got a free doughnut, so even he came out ahead. Bronia even treated criminals well. He left empty-handed but full-mouthed.
“What will hate give me? I’d be a miserable, bitter person.” What a beautiful sentiment. If only more people thought that way. It seems like these days, new forms of hatred and methods to spread hate pop up every day.
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