Just something i did for school. Bases on the book The Girl In The Green Sweater. From Krystyna Chiger's father, Ignacy Chiger. Enjoy?
Disclaimer.
Ignacy Chiger Lvov, Poland Zamarstynowska 120
January 1943
Krystyna Chiger Lvov, Poland Zamarstynowska 120
Dear Krystyna,
I am writing you this letter because it is too dangerous for me to tell you anything without the Germans over hearing, and I cannot endanger you like that. I would like you to know the reason why your mother and I have done all we have and what we are about to do, just in case we do not make it.
I know that if your mother and I make it through this, this letter will seem pointless, but I owe you an explanation while it is all fresh in my memory. I am leaving this letter with one of my friends on the outside who will find you after this is all over. Your mother and I had originally made arrangements for you to be taken away and live with a nice woman until the war was over, but you were so stubborn about leaving us, which I actually helped our family stay together. At the start of this war, things hadn't changed much for us, but soon we were forced into smaller and more crowded houses deep into the ghetto. Life wasn't that different and you and your brother adjusted easily, but it wasn't enough once the Nazi's started to liquidate us Jews.
I remember, and always will, how brave you and Pawel were, and how quick thinking you were, even as a young kid. I had prepared many different hiding places for you and your brother, but sometimes when we weren't prepared for an Action, you took control while your mother and I weren't there and managed to hide yourself and your brother. You were both so good at staying quiet, no matter how uncomfortable you two were, and for that I will always be proud. Your mother and I are beginning to hear talk about a final liquidation and so far our family has been every lucky, but we aren't taking any chances.
This is what I want you to know since you probably remember what I have already said and won't soon forget it. I've been planning this with your mother and a few other Jews in the ghetto. We have started to dig a hole in one of the men's basement, I know this will be hard on you and everyone else coming with us, but we are going to descend into the sewer for awhile. Just until the Nazi's are out of power and we are safe. I wouldn't be taking you into that horrible place if I didn't have the choice, but I love you and your brother too much to risk your lives. I don't know how long we will be down there, but we are preparing for a long period. We are going to leave as soon as we can, which will hopefully be before the finally liquidation so it isn't as stressful for you and your brother.
I'm sorry this is all I can tell you, and that you might not even understand it until this is all over, but it's the best I can do for you. I hope we all make it through this, and once again I am sorry and I love you. I can only ask that you show this to your brother, even though he probably can not remember the first part of our journey, he deserves to know.
Love always, your father, Ignacy Chiger.
Ignacy Chiger