"The most important, move forward"

time and place: World War 2nd, occupied Warsaw

    The streets of the city fell silent after the last round-up. Young Zeno had to go out to visit his sick aunt. He was scared. He was afraid not to run into a stray German patrol. In recent days, the number of round-ups had been increasing. In the city streets shots were heard from time to time. Terror took on strength. Every day someone lost their lives not wanting to submit to the occupant.

    That day the sun warmed up nicely. It encouraged to action. Before Zeno left a gate, he had looked around alertly. It was empty around. Only a pedicab rode through the street, carrying a thoughtful passenger. Feeling safe Zeno stepped out onto a sun-drenched pavement. He walked calmly, enjoying the sunrays getting stronger and stronger. Involuntarily he stuck his face to them. He closed his eyes. When he opened them, his heart almost stopped beating. A German army unit marched towards him. He was still far away. His first reaction was a panic escape. However, at that time he would have surely provoked the soldiers to react. If he had not stopped at the "halt!" command, a short series from the machine gun would have ended his life; if he had stopped, he would have been taken to the Pawiak prison or to the next transport to a death camp. Panic tuned out thinking. The reflex told him to move forward. He stranded upright and started going, heading straight for the column of Germans. He looked ahead. He did not analyse. He did not think. He did not feel. He simply went to these rhythmically stomping occupiers. When he was already in front of them, suddenly ... a column of German soldiers came apart in front of him, creating a corridor, that he could easily pass. These terrible Nazi-Germans occupants politely got out of the Polish boy’s way. When they despaired and the noise of their hobnailed boots went silent, Zeno clang the nearest wall. He broke out in a cold sweat. All he could see was darkness. He was almost unconscious when he realized what he had just done and then burst out laughing.

    This unbelievable event which took place on the street of Warsaw occupied by Germans, was my grandfather's story. It was not bravado or courage. Conversely, my grandfather was paralyzed by fear. He reacted instinctively. It is unbelievable that the person who was scared to death made the impression of being strong and determined. The result: the German troop parted before him like the waters of the Red Sea before Moses.