The Great Escape - A bike and help were ready and waiting!

The Great Escape - A true end of war story as remembered by Mrs Kastner

It was ten years ago that Mrs. Kastner told me the incredible story of her brother Paul's amazing escape. And, it happened just after the end of the 2^nd World War.

Paul Wenzel – Mrs Kastner's brother, was being held in Germany in an American internment camp. Life was boring and dull. There was nothing to do. And, the only thing Paul Wenzel wanted was home. But, home was in Austria and that was along way-a-way. Dreaming was all Paul Wenzl could do.

But, dreams can sometimes come true, and, one day something more than incredible happened.

Paul Wenzel was on his own in a corner of the exercise yard and standing right next to a door. And, Paul Wenzl had seen this door many times before. But, this was the first time he actually saw it. And, out of curiosity, Paul Wenzel tried the handle. And, the handle moved. The door was unlocked. And, Paul Wenzel opened the door and stepped out into freedom. And, there, waiting for him was a miracle. Up against a wall - and just a few steps away - was a bike. And. Paul Wenzl knew it was waiting for him.

And, Paul Wenzel was up in the saddle – peddling like mad - and on his way home in the heat of a hot summer day. And, Paul Wenzl was lucky. There were no serious incidents during his three day trip, and the people he met were only too willing to help him with food, 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 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. It was gone. It had vanished into thin air. Paul Wenzel smiled.

The bike had helped him and now it was doing the same for somebody else. The bike, Paul Wenzl believed, had not only a life of its own but was special as well. It was a bike that gave help when real help was needed.

But, of course, the question remains. Was this fate or simply good luck, or even something much higher? But, whatever it was, it was true, and it changed Paul Wenzl for ever! The day he found a door that was open – stepped out into freedom and came home on a bike that was waiting for him! A truly remarkable story.

Vocabulary

curiosity - Neugier escape – Entkommen incredible – unglaublich

incident – Zwischenfall remarkable – bemerkenswert tale – Erzählung