Lonek's Journey: The True Story of a Boy's Escape to Freedom

Lonek's Journey: The True Story of a Boy's Escape to Freedom — page 9
languages But some of Lonek's classmates hated Jews Not just one or two of their classmates but all Jews everywhere They teased and bullied the Jewish children at school If any of the Jewish students did well on a test they grabbed their test papers after class and ripped them up In the playground and after school these boys and girls ran after the Jewish children and called them names Since some of the teachers didn't like Jews either they didn't protect the Jewish children Lonek often wondered why some people didn't like Jews He asked his mother who explained Unfortunately there are people who are so narrow minded that they dislike anyone who is different from them in any way They may not even know anything about Jews They may not ever have even met a Jew They are anti Semitic As a result Lonek did not mix much with the non Jewish children but he enjoyed spending time with his family his neighbors and their children A few days after Lonek's father left to join the army Lonek suffered another loss Late one morning Sosa's father arrived unexpectedly with his horse and wagon Because it took him many hours to travel from his farm to Jaroslaw he usually stayed to talk and have a cup of tea with Lonek and his mother but not this time He quickly stated his purpose Sosa must come home with me I am worried about the Germans at the border There is too much danger with Hitler threatening Poland At a time like this families must be together together He then turned to Sosa and said Come Sosa there is no time to lose Sosa quickly gathered her belongings and before 16