The Unsung Hero by Ananya Gulati
The story I’m going to tell you must be told again, this sacrifice must not be underestimated. However, this is not a story with a happy ending, so if that’s what you are hoping for, I advise you not reading this story. Now you have been warned and you are one of those brave people, let’s begin.
It all started with Mary standing next to her father who was the leader of the political party, on top of the stage. She was barely listening to her father’s speech as in the corner of her eye she had caught sight of her worried friend, Rose.
You see reader; Rose was a young Jewish girl living in Germany and was one of those lucky Jewish citizens who had not been taken to the concentration camp yet. Unfortunately, a concentration camp is where Jewish people are taken to die…
Watching Rose clutching onto her mother’s side filled Mary with dread and guilt. She turned and examined the man standing on her right. Is this really the man, who she had looked up to for so many years, recently she thought he was no more than a monster. “How could he do this? Rose is my best friend”, Mary thought to herself. Without wasting time, Mary rushed to Rose and stated “Don’t worry your will be fine, I promise.” The night passed ignoring her father’s speech; Mary took Rose to her house as she desperately wanted to comfort her.
The dawn broke – and the day came which Mary and Rose wished never would have come. The diesel trucks came once again and this was probably the last time. As they grabbed Rose, tears streamed down Mary’s rosy cheeks. She had to save her friend otherwise she would rather die. Mary felt determined and followed the trucks.
They were leading to the forest. Young Mary stared towards the gnarled trees. They were dark and quiet. She stared at them until every detail was fixed in her mind like her own name. Her heart quickened in as she ventured deeper into the anonymous forest. Bang! She leaped backwards. The strange noise continued but did not stop the audacious girl. Focusing on her mission, she ignored the congregation of gigantic shadows. A cold sensation rushed down her spine. Firstly she did not notice what the little things on the ground were, but then it was impossible to mistaken them, they were: fingers, bones, thumbs and toes. This was not a forest, it was a – death zone!
Approaching near to the concerntration camp, Mary started pulling out the food she had kept for the children. Rose looked even skinner. Rose also told Mary that she was getting shot today. Mary had to save her friend before this incident happened. She stepped into the deep, dark forest once again. Feeling determined, this time she did not only pack food she also stuffed: rope, a knife and a disguise. She was not so far off when she heard a shot. Boom! Crash! Bang! A voice came from behind her “Is anybody there?”
“Yes sir,” Mary replied nervously. The officer grabbed the rucksack from her “Why do you have all those things” he said pointing at the bag. There was no reply but the officer demanded “Come with me you, black sheep of Germany!” All of the sudden the disguise fell off. “What young Mary, I am sorry I said those things to you. You have to come with me though.” They walked through the dense forest and finally arrived to the city. The leader asked “Who have you got there?” The officer pushed Mary forwards “Mary what have you done?” The crowd cheered “You shot us, shoot you daughter too!” Suddenly, troops came, for once everybody thought it was another team to join them, but no – it was the Brits, they had rescued the people from the concerntration camp. A big broad smile appeared on Mary’s face “Dad, you can do anything now my mission was to save Rose and I have succeeded.” There was silence but the leader broke it “Shoot her!” he commanded and there lay the lifeless unsung hero – Mary.
By Ananya Gulati(age 10)