After-reading Christmas in Prague

I write to you Josef, that your wife is dead. On Christmas night she ran to the border to enter to Austria. Just before crossing the border the guards shot her. She carried Pavel –your baby son, and my grandson on her back, and fortunately he is alive! You had better not to come back to Prague. It’s too dangerous for you. I made a firm resolution to bring up Pavel instead of my daughter. I am going to educate him to be a good man. Someday the country will change better, and you and Jan will be able to get a chance to see him. I wish your new life be peaceful and may the blessing be upon you.

Stanislava

Posted for Misako

After-reading - Eastern Europe in the 1950s

In the 1950's in Eastern Europe was dark age. It was communism government. There was a secret police. There were spies all over the country. If someone said "communism was not good" we were arrested by secret police. The seacret police and spies were our neighbor, our friends, our teacher. They didn't have free in the 1950's.

Western Europe and American culture were bad culture. Jazz, rock, they were tipical of rotten Western culture. They couldn't listen Western music. If they want to listen to Jazz. They dealed at black marcket and listen very quietly sound.

They couldn't talk by telephone freely. The secret police listened their conversation. It was bugging! If they send letter to Westrns, it would be opened by secret police. It was terrible age. There was no freedom. It is just like North Korea now.

Posted for Misuzu

After reading - an angry letter

I write to tell you, Josef, that your wife is dead. On Christmas night the guards shot her on the road at the border. She carried Pavel - your baby son,and my grandson- on her back.

Pavel was saved by a miracle. I thought Lenka protected her son. I loved Lenka very much - my valuable daughter. I was bereaved of my beloved daughter. Your 'friends' came and told me yesterday. 

You have Jan,and a new life in England. You took one grandson away from me and now my daughter is dead - because of you !! I never liked your work for freedom. I didn't understand. You were dangerous person for us. I just wanted a quiet family life.

Now What do I have? I only have Pavel!! I can't live after this without Pavel. I want live with Pavel as long as I live!! Don't worry about Pavel. Don't worry about me.

Don't write to me, and Don't write to Pavel, and Don't come back to Prague. I never want to see you or hear from you again.

Stanislave

Posted for Yoko

After reading - a heartfelt letter

I write to you Josef, that your wife is dead.

On Christmas night the guards shot her on the road at the border. She carried Pavel on her back.

I loved my daughter very much.But luckily for your son Pavel was alive. 

You have Jan, and a new life in England.I was very sad and lonely to hear that she was dead. But if it is possible, please come back. 

I want to grow up two grandchildren together.I am lonely. I love my grandchildren Pavel and Jan very much too. I am sorry, I did not like you Josef till now. Please come back, Josef. 

Stanislava

Posted for Reiko

Christmas in Prague

After reading #5

Imagine that Stanislava wrote a different letter and told Josef the true story.

I write to tell you, Josef, that your wife is dead. On Christmas night the guards shot her on the road at the border. She carried Pavel - your baby son, and my grand son - on her back, but the gurards didn't shoot him. Your wife is dead, but your son is alive Your 'friends' brought him to me yesterday. You have Jan and a new life in England. And I have baby Pavel. But my daoughter is dead. I want Pavel to stay here with me. Don't write to me, and don't come back to Prague. It is dangerous. Pavel is all right with me.

Stanislava

Christmas in Prague - after reading

After reading #4.

The picuture goes on page 23.
1) Who is the woman in the bed and why is she in hospital?
-->She is Carol who is Jan wife and she got ran over by bus when she ran across the street.
2) Why is she shouting?
--> She saw the man who looks like her husband, but she knows that her husband in England.
3) Why is the man there?
--> When she got hit by bus, he called ambulance. He was afraid of her death.

This story is miracle, because separated brother could meet in Prague.
I think they will make good relationship between Jan and Pavel

Posted by Miyuki

Christmas in Prague - after reading

After Reading #2: What happened in 1956 and 1957 ?

1. Josef and Lenka got married and had two sons, Jan and Pavel.
2. Josef and Lenka wanted to change things in Czechoslovakia but it was dangerous. 3.　Josef and Lenka couldn’t stay in Czechoslovakia because people were not free or happy.
4. Josef carried Jan across the border on 24th December and after that they went to England.
5. Lenka tried to cross the border with Pavel on 25th December but the guards shot her.
6. Stanislava didn’t lose Pavel so she told Josef that his wife and son were dead.

Posted for Yuri