Childhood Hero

Did you have the trend of supplementary readers in school? The nomenclature might differ but it’s like a book discussion for a batch of students followed by a book review and evaluation on the themes of the novel.

And The Diary of a Young Girl was one of them. Chosen for 14 year old, restless young minds. It was given as a holidays homework to us as a 2 marker task.

"I want to go on living, even after my death"

The experiences she captured in her diary might not have been very different from a young teenager but infatuation when there is bombing outside, fighting over family china as there is still hope of release, enjoying food even when search parties are deeply rooted in the city and scavenging people by mere distinction in their race. It was unfortunate times but forging subtle instances of normalcy also relieved the reader. It was a delightful read.

It makes it even more intriguing because a young penned down the thoughts that stir the light of consciousness in even the adults and no matter how many times I give it a read, I learn something new, refreshing and subtle. The courage in the face of fear, calmness in times of extreme uncertainty and precociousness transitioning from childhood. She was truly my hero.

//Until next time…

SB.