On 1 September 1941, the German Government ordered that all Jews in Germany above six-years-old wear the yellow star, the Judenstern—a Star of David that was coloured yellow and inscribed Jude (Jew) in mock-Hebrew lettering. The mark of shame would, in post-war years, become a symbol of persecution and of the Holocaust itself.

Hans Rosenthal was a simple man. He lived a peaceful life alongside his wife Margot and their two daughters, Ingrid and Charlotte. They never caused any trouble, never did anything wrong. But they now stuck out like black sheep amongst the flock. It wasn't that they had changed their way of living, or that they had begun to cause trouble- they were simple people, remember – but their lives had been turned upside down all because of a yellow star.

"Why do we have to wear yellow stars from now on?" Asked Ingrid, who was only eight years of age at the time. Her beautiful blue dress didn't look so pretty anymore when she put the star on. Hans felt as though the dress had been ruined.

"It's because we're Jewish, Ingrid. The Füher says that Jewish people must wear these stars, so people know we're different." It was the simplest answer Hans could give his eldest child. But he knew the truth; he knew what was coming. Any day now, he expected Nazis to break down their door and take them away. Take us where, he thought. Where do they take the Jews? He didn't know. Hans and Margot exchanged knowing glances, their eyes agreeing not to tell their children the danger they were

in. The eyes of his wife had once held nothing but love and happiness. Now, all Hans saw was worry and fear. It was all too obvious that she felt the same dread he did. When out shopping in the market for groceries the next day, Hans noticed that an elderly man had tipped his hat at him. It was a sign of respect to the Jews, so they said. Hans however thought of it as sympathy. They felt sorry for him, knowing what was to come. They knew he was going to suffer just like the others had.

The man's eyes briefly fell on Ingrid and Charlotte before he murmured "Such beautiful children…" as he hobbled past. Margot smiled at this man out of gratitude, but it was forced.

They really were black sheep.

Throughout the day, there had been a grey, heavy cloud hanging over Hans' head. Each moment they lived was another day questioning when they would come. No one had said it yet, but everyone knew; The Nazis were coming for them. They were going to take them away, never to be heard from again. Dinner was quickly eaten that evening, and the family resided to bed quite early. But Hans didn't sleep a wink beside his wife.

"They're coming, Margot." He murmured in the darkness of the night.

"I know, Hans." She said. But Margot didn't want to hear it, and he could almost feel her grimacing.

"The yellow stars they make us wear; they're making us stand out so we can be targeted for... For whatever they did to the others."

Margot simply mumbled "I know, I know." again in agreement. She didn't want to hear it. The truth certainly hurt.

"We're going to die, Margot."

"I know, Hans. I know."