Gilbert's Märchen

Chapter 17

Writing is the painting of the voice

Voltaire (1694-1778)

Elizaveta and I spent our last day together in the flower field. It was halfway July and the cornflowers were blooming. Just like we always did we plucked the flowers we liked to make a flower crown. "Yours will have cornflowers and poppies." I said to my friend. Elizaveta smiled at me "You are going to get adopted too, aren't you?" I nodded. "When is Mister Bernhardt going to pick you up?" "In two weeks." She sighed and put her flower crown on her lap "You know, I'm very excited about going to my new home, yet I feel sad as well. There are so many things that I'll miss. Mister Augustus and his kind words, the cozy living room, the garden, but I'm going to miss you the most Gilbert."

She gave me a hug "You are the best friend I've ever had. I'm sure that I'll feel very lonely when we are far away from each other." I comforted my friend "I'm going to miss you too. But don't worry it'll be okay. When you are going to leave this evening, I will say Auf Wiedersehen. Do you know when people say Auf Wiedersehen?" "When people want to say goodbye." I shook my head "No, that's not it. People say Auf Wiedersehen when they are sure that they'll meet again one day. I promise you that we will see each other one day, that's why I'll say Auf Wiedersehen instead of goodbye."

Elizaveta laughed and let me go "Who told you that?" she asked curiously. "No-one, it's something I realized while reading a book." She smiled at me "You are right. One day we will see each other again." Her cheeks started to turn pink. "Why are you blushing?" I asked. "Because I want to ask you something." Elizaveta said as her face turned red "Well, since this is our last day at Tannenhaus I, eh would like to... kiss you. Is that okay?" I gave my friend a big smile "It's more than just okay! It's awesome!" Elizaveta laughed a cute chuckle. She gave me a hug and kissed me gently. "We will be friends forever, right?" I nodded "Definitely!"

In the evening Martha arrived. Elizaveta walked towards her as she carried a small suitcase. "Well,... I guess it's time to say Auf Wiedersehen now." "Wait!" I yelled. My friend turned around. "I have a present for you. Wait here, okay!" I ran to my room and grabbed a book that I'd been hiding since Elizaveta told me about her adoption. After I got the book I hurried down stairs. "Here!" I said as I handed her the book. "All the stories I've ever written are in this book." With a smile on her face Elizaveta accepted the book. "Thank you." She opened the book and browsed through the pages. "Your handwriting has become so pretty! Wow Gilbert, this the prettiest gift I ever had! I will treasure it forever." Martha smiled at her. "Come, it's time to go now." Elizaveta nodded and gave me a hug. Her grip was tight. "Auf Wiedersehen, Gilbert!" I patted her back "Auf Wiedersehen." After a few seconds she let me go. She walked to the wagon. "Auf Wiedersehen!" she said once again as she waved at me. I waved back and kept saying "Auf Wiedersehen." Until the wagon was out of sight.

The last two weeks at Tannenhaus were lonely. I spent most of the time in solitude underneath the oak tree in the garden. Luckily I had something to distract myself. After his second visit, Bernhardt gave me some books from a Volksschule in Potsdam. He told me that I could enroll in the final class if I studied well. Unlike most children I didn't hate studying, on the contrary I loved it. Sometimes mister Augustus would help me if I had troubles with something. "Thank you sir." I would say after his explanation "I used to think this was hard, but you made it easy?" He smiled at me "You are very clever Gilbert. I'm sure you will do great at school!"

Two weeks later Bernhardt arrived. "You will write us right?" Mister Augustus nodded. I hugged the man who taught me so much "Thank you for everything! I will never forget you, sir. Auf Wiedersehen." Augustus nodded and put me in the fancy wagon. Even the inside of it looked beautiful. After we made sure I got everything I needed, we headed towards our new home. On our way home Bernhardt told me about my new home. "Our new king likes Potsdam, right?" I interrupted. Bernhardt nodded. "I wonder if I will see him one day." "Who knows?" Bernhardt said with a smile. "Do you like king Friedrich?" I asked. Bernhardt laughed "He sure is different compared to other kings, but that's okay. I think he will do some good things. What do you think?" I smiled "The king wants to help Prussia and he cares a lot about other people, that's why I like him a lot."

I couldn't believe my eyes when the wagon stopped in front of my new house. Was this big white house my new home? "Bernhardt, are you sure that we aren't lost." My adoptive father nodded. "We are not lost, Gilbert. This is your new home." "It's so big!" I said surprised. Bernhardt smiled at me. "Are you ready to meet your new family?" "Yes Mister Bernhardt!" "You can call me Vater from now on."

"Hallo Gilbert! Welcome home!" Ludwig ran down the stairs enthusiastically and gave me a tight hug. A woman with dirty blonde hair walked towards the boy and poked his shoulder. "Ludwig, you should calm down. The boy just arrived here. He must be tired from the long journey." "Ja Mutti." Ludwig said as he let me go. Bernhardt walked towards the woman and smiled "This is Johanna, my wife." I smiled at the lady and shook her hand gently. Her gray eyes made her look beautiful and kind. "How are you my boy?" she asked. "I'm fine. The journey was okay, the horses were very calm so I didn't get sick." "That's relieving! Shall I bring your stuff to your room? In the meantime Ludwig can show you around." I nodded and gave my suitcase to the tall woman.

Ludwig showed me every single corner of the house. He told a story about nearly every single room of the house. In the kitchen he told me about the delicious meals he got every single day and in the living room he told me about the family. After Ludwig showed me our bedroom he smiled at me. "I saved the best room for last!" "What kind of room is it?" He grabbed my hand and winked at me. "You shall see!" At the end of the hallway there was a big wooden door. "Close your eyes!" I did as Ludwig said and closed my eyes so tight that I could see lights moving in front of me. "Now follow me and watch your step!" My adoptive brother led me to the room. "Now open your eyes!" As I opened my eyes I couldn't believe what I saw. Every single corner of the room was covered with bookcases full of different kind of books. Thin ones, short ones, and everything in between. "Wow!" I said enthusiastically. "I bet you have enough to read! I've lived here all my life and I didn't even read all of them." Bernhardt entered the room. "I see that you've discovered the library." "Yes, Vater it's beautiful." My father smiled and took a look at his pocket watch. "We will have dinner in a few minutes, but you can look around if you want."

I walked to one of the bookcases and grabbed a thin colorful book. When I opened the book I felt very confused. Not even a single word in the book looked familiar to me. I didn't know how to pronounce the unfamiliar words and I had no clue what those strange sticks above some of the letters meant. "Huh what's this? Vater this strange book is full of weird words! What is this?" Bernhardt smiled at me. "That book is not strange. It's just written in another language. It's French." I gave Bernhardt the book. "French? I heard that it's an important language. Will I learn French in school?" "Yes, but not this year. They'll teach you after Volksschule." "Does that mean that I'm too young to learn French?" Bernhardt shook his head. "Will you come downstairs? Dinner is ready." Johanna called. "Come, Gilbert" my adoptive father said "We should eat now."

Having dinner with my new family was very different compared to how it was in the orphanage. The table was big and full of food, but there were no other children or maids joining the feast. It was just our family. Despite the differences I felt at home with my new family. I really liked Bernhardt and Ludwig. They were my Vater and Bruder. I also really liked Johanna. She was my new adoptive mother, however, I refused to call her Mutter because I really missed Heide. She was the only person I ever called Mutti. No matter how kind Johanna was, I couldn't love her the way I loved Heide. Calling Johanna Mutti didn't feel right to me. Luckily my family understood that.

After I finished dinner I yawned. "Are you tired Gilbert?" Ludwig asked. I nodded "Vati can you lead me to my room?" Bernhardt nodded and took my hand. "Vati, do you think that I can learn French now?" "Natürlich!" He said. "Then why don't they teach me in Volksschule." Bernhardt sighed "Because they disagree with me." Disappointed I shook my head "That's' too bad." My adoptive father winked at me. "I can teach you how to speak French too!" "Really? Don't you need a teacher for that?" Bernhardt smiled and shook his head. "No, not at all. So what do you think do you want to learn French?" "Ja!" I yelled with glee. He patted my head "Then let's start tomorrow, after your first day at school. Gute Nacht Gilbert." I walked to my bedroom "Gute Nacht, Vati." 

Note: Volksschule= German elementary school

To be continued