Shmal... Shmal... Nobodies named Shmal. Its just not normal, not right. Then again everything about the people on the farm seemed not right. First of all they all wore pajamas. My mummy would kill me if I lazed about in pajamas all day. I had once but that's because I had the chicken pox. That was a very boring day indeed. I had soup, soup, and more soup for three days. I couldn't look at a tomato the same way ever again. Another thing is, the funny number he wore pinned to his chest. I wonder what sort of game it is. Do they pretend to be military men? Or is it more a strategy game like chess or checkers. I am a very good checkers player, my mummy even said I was very good. I think I'd like to play with Shmal. I wonder if he's any good. I bet I could still beat him good. Third, any one who can sleep so close to them chimneys and not gag has got to be bonkers. It smells horrible. I think I'm going to ask papa tomorrow. He is a soldier after all, he knows everything. I wonder if Pavel could be Shmal's grand papa. It would only make sense. Oh and there's one more reason Shmal seems weird. He's got a shaven head. None of my friends in Berlin had shaven heads. In fact I don't believe I know any one who would ever want their head shaven. I know I wouldn't. It sorta makes his head look big. It makes me wonder if my head would be that large with out my hair. I should hope not. Oh and the list seems to just keep lengthening, Shmal is very strange after all. He said he was very hungry. If he's hungry why wouldn't he just go ask his mummy to make him something. Or even his grand papa. He's after all a very good potato peeler. Maybe he's in outs with his family? I know, I'll bring him some biscuits tomorrow after mummy goes out shopping. I don't understand why she feels the need to keep me cooped up all day when I could be out playing with my new very strange friend.
- Bruno