63 years ago, World War 2 had just ended, most of the world was thrilled, but not Germany. My story begins in 1961 about a little boy and his father.
“Cough, Cough, Cough! What is the time, Father?” Gunther whispered into his father's ears rubbing his eyes. “It is still 2 in the morning, go back to sleep, you will need your energy tomorrow.” His father, Hans said, his voice gruff but loving. “I can’t, father, my throat hurts. It’s been hurting for a month!” Gunther urged no longer sleepy. “I know Gunther, I’ve been saving up money for some medicine.” Hans informed Gunther sleepily. “Now go back to sleep.” “Okay father.” Gunther replied knowing he wouldn’t be able to doze off, he just lay there staring at one of the holes in their little shack’s curtains. He had been laying there for a while when he started hearing slight thuds.
He found this very odd, because even the farmers didn’t wake up this early. Cautiously he took off the thick blanket covering his skinny body, quietly, he tiptoed to the nearest window and gently pulled curtain away. The sun hadn’t risen yet, the sky was jet black, it was freezing outside but nice and warm inside making the glass foggy, Gunther could barely see more than 5 meters in front of him, but he could still hear the thumping. He gently used his bony hand to wipe off the condensation, squinting, he looked for any sign of the thumping. To his confusion he saw well equipped military personnel constructing a thick and very tall wall of brick. Knowing he should probably tell his father but he also didn’t want to wake him. With hesitation he gently shook his father awake. “Father, father, wake up. I need to show you something.” Gunther urged. “Son, I told you to sleep.” Hans said, not paying attention. “Father, please, I need to show you something.” Gunther pleaded. “Fine, what must you show me?” Hans groaned wearily. Gunther immediately grabbed Hans’ hands and pulled him to the window, moved the curtains out of the way and wiped the condensation off the window again. After Hans had finished rubbing his eyes, he too found himself staring at the wall along with the military personnel, knowing there was nothing they could do right now, they went back to bed.
In the morning Gunther woke up his father so he could go ask the neighbors what was happening but before he could do that, he had noticed the wall was finished, he couldn’t believe, the day before the wall was only a few bricks tall but now it was 4 meters tall!
Terrified, he violently shook his father awake. “Father, father, look at the wall!” Gunther screamed loudly. After Hans was awake and saw the wall, he didn’t panic, he got dressed and walked to their neighbors to ask what had happened. After Hans had left Gunther was left alone with his thoughts. Gunther, the kid he was started thinking of different reasons for the wall. “Is there going to be another war?” He thought. “Is Germany being taken over?” He thought. Luckily Hans had gotten back but with bad news. Gunther was right, Germany had split into parts, along with Berlin. Now you weren’t allowed to go to the other side. The worst part of this was this side of Berlin didn’t have many jobs other than restaurants jobs or being farmers, but the other side was the rich side with many more jobs and also where Hans’ job was. Hans was now jobless, the no longer had a source of money. “Father, what are going to do?” Gunther asked. “I don’t know, son. I don’t know.” Hans said sadly.
Knowing that that Hans needed to get a new job, so he set off, with Gunther behind him. The wandered the streets asking the owner of every shop and restaurant in town, but sadly nobody was hiring because they couldn’t afford to. Gunther started panicking. “What are we going to do father? I’m scared father.”
“It’s all going to be fine, son. Just follow me.” Hans said calmly. Hans hurriedly walk home grabbed a bag of clothes, some food and a bag of money. “Where are we going father?” Gunther asked still worried. “Just follow me.” Hans said, still packing quickly. After packing some more essentials they left. Hans had tears in his eyes, he looked back, took a deep breath then grabbed Gunther’s hand and walked to the wall, to the nearest military personnel. “Gunther, stand here and don’t move.” Hans said, his face emotionless pale and emotionless.
Gunther nodded lightly. Hans walked over to the military personnel with the bag of money in hand. “I’ll give you a deal.” Hans whispered so nobody else could hear him. “What?” The man said much louder that Hans. “I’ll give you some cash” Hans stopped to look around for other people, then continued “If you get us across the wall. “Hans said quieter than before. The man though for a while then nodded. Hans grabbed Gunther’s hands and started following the man. The walked for a long time, the sun was setting, it was getting cold again. Then finally they reached.
Hans handed the man the cash then hurriedly walked away. They had gotten across the wall. Over a period of time, they got enough money to buy a new house and good food and medicine for Gunther. Life was great.
