The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

 Gretel's Diary Entry

On the events in chapter 9 from Gretel's point of view

Dear Diary,

What a boring day! Earlier I spoke to Lieutenant Kotler. I really like him, I feel comfortable around him even though he’s a few years older than I am. He makes me laugh. When I try to ask him about what happens at the camp next door he changes the subject. Otherwise, he has great stories to tell about himself. I have a few ideas on what happens at the camp though.

A few mornings later our new teacher arrived, his name is Herr Liszt. Bruno was silly as normal. He still loves art, reading and exploring; the tutor didn’t think that this was important. He considers history about the country to be important. I agree, Lieutenant Kotler seems to think that way as well.

A few days later, I heard Bruno in his wardrobe, I have no idea what he was doing.

One night a few soldiers stayed for drinks, they were interesting. Once we finished our food we had to go to bed. I heard mum laughing and singing, she was happy and in a mood that I hadn’t seen her in for a while. It was good to see that she was finally settling in to the new house.

Gretel

Shmuel's Diary Entry

Dear Diary,

I hate Auschwitz; it is a bad place to be. I wish I could go back to my house in Poland and live peacefully with my family. The soldiers treat us badly and have no respect for anybody. It’s almost like they have no feelings. They barely feed us enough to do a full day’s work. Most people are really struggling by lunch time and find it hard to work at the level that the soldiers expect us to. The days are hot while at night it is cold. The huts stink, most people are unwell but there are no doctors to help. I have even seen a few people die; it’s such a horrible sight. I am scared here.

Yesterday a boy came to visit me, he cheered me up. He said his name was Bruno, what a funny name. He was from the nearby house that I could see at a distance. Bruno said he was German, his birthday is on the same day as mine. Bruno is a good friend, how come the other Germans are awful and why can’t they be like Bruno? Bruno doesn’t quite understand what’s happening on our side of the fence, some of the things he says about the camp amaze me. But I can’t complain, he does make me feel good.

Shmuel