The boy in the striped pyjamas (Diary)

Dear Diary,

Monday 17th May 1940

It was the day we were finally leaving behind Berlin and going off to this 'Out With' place. I really didn't want to go but I had to... for Ralph, for our family and for the safety of our country. I'm sure that Gretel didn't mind going, after all her father did say she had to come along and she would never disobey him; but on the other hand there was Bruno... he really dreaded going to Out With, leaving behind all his friends, his toys, but there was a certain someone who he wasn't ready to leave behind, and that was his... Grandmother.

Everyone was packing and getting ready. Maria doubles checking Bruno's clothes, Gretel sorting out her dolls, Father talking to other soldiers and me well im just sitting here, admiring... admiring our house before we shall leave it for god knows how long. Bruno came rushing in and went straight upstairs with his friends, probably going to play 'I am an aeroplane' or something in that sort of category.

Finally everyone came down into the hall with their suitcases and had sad smiles on their faces. A few minutes later Father strolled in and gave a very cheerful smile, but it soon vanished when he saw everyone's sad expressions.

"What's wrong with you all? Why so sad and glum?" he asked but knew exactly why.

"No one is sad are we children? We are all ready to go on with our trip so come on!" I tried to make out that I wasn't sad either but I knew it was showing, oh well we might as well get going with this holiday or should I say torture trip.

Dear Diary,

Tuesday 18th May 1940

Suddenly we came to a stop. There stood and old looking building which didn't really look like a house to me more like a place where you would have a quick conference meeting or something of that sort. We all went in to explore Bruno and Gretel went to choose their rooms, Father was talking to some soldiers and Maria was just looking around; but me ... I was looking at how this place functioned and where everything we would need daily would be.

There was a medium sized kitchen that had a storage cupboard next to it, an office for father across the hall from the dining room, a living room which was not so bright with the feeling of home. The rest of the house was either bedrooms, bathrooms, cupboards of storage or just empty rooms.

During that night at supper Bruno suddenly questioned everyone saying, "Have you seen that farm on the other side of the fence? I can see it from the window in my room."

I turned to look at Ralph and he just gave me a blank expression, I gave him a glare and turned back to Bruno, "Bruno darling, that 'farm' is of not our interest so we should just forget about it, ok?" I told him with the sweetest tone I have he understood because he nodded but I knew he was still going to do his exploring business. I have to keep Bruno away from the camp no matter what, under no circumstances am I letting him go any where near that horrible place. Everyone was done eating and the children were sent upstairs to get ready for bed, Maria started cleaning and I was left alone with Ralph. We had a talk about the camp and then we made our way up to bed.

Dear Diary,

Wednesday 19th May 1940

Rushing around the house, I finally came to a stop when I reached the kitchen. I dropped all the other rubbish and put it in the bin, then I pulled out a pen and a paper and started to run around the kitchen like a crazy woman, trying to find out what we need to buy more of such as: cheese, milk, bread, eggs etc. One I'd finally finished up the list I realised that it was quite short and that I might as well go myself instead of one of the servants going. So I went into Fathers office and told him that I shall be going with Lieutenant Kotler and that I would be back in about 2 - 3 hours; he agreed and said goodbye.

I went outside in search of Kurt and there I found him standing with Gretel talking to each other, Gretel very intently enjoying the conversation, but Kurt was very bored by the looks of it. I, being the nice person I am, decided to step in now and tell him to drive me to the nearest city. I asked him and he agreed Gretel looking disappointed decided to work her way back inside, I just sighed and got into the car and drove away with Kurt.''

When I was getting out of the vehicle I could smell a very disgusting stench. It was coming from the chimneys, the chimneys were where the 'Jews' were gassed to death. But smelling this it was not like the smell of burning...?

I turned around covering my nose, to get the bags; but I saw Kurt with a frown on his face as if shocked at me.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked slightly confused.

"It's the horrid smell, I stepped out of the car and could smell it!" I shrieked as the smell was getting worse.

"Don't you know?" He asked me confused.

"What do you mean? It's the Jews they get gassed don't they?" I wondered.

"Yes... but they also are burnt. Didn't you know that?" He asked extremely bewildered.

"No. I didn't know..."

"Oh well ok goodbye then." He said nervously.

"Ok see you later."

I found out that the Jews had been getting burned as well as gassed, but I was very wrong."

The End