Irena Kamieńska
Class 3
My education during the occupation
It was a gray morning in November. The sky was covered with leaden clouds, yellow leaves were falling from the trees, the wind was howling pitifully, and the autumn rain was drizzling.
Skipping over the puddles, I ran as fast as I could. It was cold and unpleasant. The streets were empty due to the early hour. For two years now, I had been leaving the house at the same time every day, in a hurry for a secret lesson, sent off with my parents’ warnings: be careful, and hide your books well. Yes, we had to be very careful, because even the slightest suspicion could mean the end for not only me but also for my parents, the teacher and a lot of friends. Not only caution was necessary; we also had to lie at every step. Our poor young generation was brought up in lies, hypocrisy, and hatred.
It was almost 8 a.m. when I reached my destination. I entered a small room, where a group of students, headed by a teacher, was sitting around the table. I sat down quickly. The teacher began to talk about our country’s past with colorful descriptions. This tireless lecturer picturesquely recreated the splendor of our country. Under the influence of his words, a semblance of strength awoke in us; the actions of our ancestors willed us to work. Yes – everybody said – we learned to be a strong foundation for a Poland resurrected in the future.