Elly by Elly Gross

Author:Elly Gross
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: nonfiction
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

* * *

1A high-ranking officer in the SS.

2An appointee who assigned work.

MY FIRST CRAFT IN FALLERSLEBEN

In Fallersleben, everyone got a cup and bowl; one’s own spoon, too. The turnip soup was distributed hot. Each person had a single bed with a straw mattress. It was such a change after Auschwitz-II/Birkenau where we slept like sardines, had no water to drink, and the food was almost inedible.

In Fallersleben, life was much better. We had water to drink, a semi-heated room, and an indoor toilet, but we did not have toilet paper. We had a shower with lukewarm water morning and evening. There were no towels to dry ourselves. But our bodies dried fast. Then we stood in line for food.

Because I worked in the painting department, I had access to black and beige paint. I painted on a cup and bowl my name, flowers, and other designs. Our female overseer, Anne-Marie, observed this. She was a pretty blonde female officer who often counted and escorted us to work. The factory was across from our living quarters. With a smile, Anne-Marie said, “Elly, come here.” I was terrified, ready for a blow. I was seldom punished, but I did witness others who were beaten. By not asking permission to paint my accessories, I was guilty.

Anne-Marie smiled. I closed my eyes, ready to be beaten with her ever-present club. She said, “Elly, paint a design on my cup.”

Anne-Marie liked her name and the flowers I painted on her cup. The next day, she gave me a green sweater, white thread, and needle. Anne-Marie said, “Elly, sew designs on my sweater.” Anne-Marie liked the design I made on her sweater, but I did not receive a reward or extra privilege for my work. I was a slave. I continued to work in the factory, but it gave me great satisfaction that I had created something.

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