Welcome Home - by Nigel A JAMES
The Great
Escape - A true end of war story as remembered by Mrs Kastner
It was ten
years ago that Mrs. Kastner told me a story. It was an incredible
tale and told of her brother Paul Wenzel and his remarkable
escape. And, it happened just after the 2nd World
War.
Paul Wenzel
was being held in Germany in an American internment camp and
life was boring and dull. There was nothing to do and the only thing
he wanted was home. But, his home was in Austria and a long
way-a-way, and being stuck fast where he was, there was nothing he
could do. But, dreams can come true, and one day something more than
incredible happened.
Paul Wenzel
was in the exercise yard. He was on his own in a corner and standing
right next to a door. He had seen it many times before, but, this
was the first time he had noticed it. And then, just out
of pure curiosity
he tried the handle. The door was unlocked. And, without
even thinking or checking to see that all was all right, Paul Wenzel
opened the door and all of a sudden was free!
And, the
miracle continued. Just ten metres away and leaning against a wall
was a bike. Again, no time to think. And so, in the heat of a hot
summer moment, Paul Wenzel was up and away and on his way home!
And, his luck held. There were no serious incidents during
his three day trip, and the people he met were only too willing to
help with food and drink and somewhere to sleep. But, that wasn't the
end of the story.
Paul Wenzel
had been home for two weeks when the twist to his story took place.
It was a Wednesday morning. Paul Wenzel had gone into town on his
bike. And then, after doing what had to be done, it was time to go
home. But, where was the bike? It was nowhere to be found. And,
Paul Wenzel smiled.
The bike had
helped when he had needed it most, and now it was doing the same for
somebody else. There are some things in life that cannot be
explained. One just has to believe. And, Christine Wenzel, the now
Mrs. Kastner, was unable to believe that her brother was home! And,
all thanks to a door that was open and bike that was waiting. A
remarkable story that was just meant to be!
But, of
course, the questions remain. Was this fate or simply good luck? Or,
something much higher? But, whatever it was, it was true, and it
changed Paul Wenzel for ever! The day he stepped out into freedom!
Vocabulary
curiosity -
Neugier
escape –
Entkommen
incredible –
unglaublich
incident –
Zwischenfall
remarkable –
bemerkenswert
tale – Erzählung
