“You’re great at phrasing things,” said Adam.
“I have to be careful. Sometimes Mom and Dad speak from my mouth,” said Thomas, laughing.
Chapter 17
In the middle of the night, while they were wondering what they could do and where they could turn and how they could get another coat or a blanket to warm the nest, they heard a moan of pain. Adam and Thomas quickly climbed down from the tree and ran toward the sound of the groaning. Not far from the tree lay a man, breathing heavily.
Adam leaned over the man on the ground and said, “My name is Adam. Where does it hurt?”
“I’m weak. They’ve been running after me for two days. I’m exhausted.”
“We have a little fresh milk and some bread.”
“I’m thirsty. If you have water, that will save me.”
“Drink some milk, and later we’ll bring you water.”
The two boys lifted the man’s head, and he took a sip and then another. “Now we’ll go and fetch you some water.
“Thanks, boys, thanks, angels.”
They raced to the stream, rinsed out the thermos and filled it with water. The man drank and drank. He opened his eyes and said, “Angel children. Where are you from? Who sent you to save me?”
“My name is Adam, and my friend’s name is Thomas. We’ve been hiding in the forest since the beginning of the summer.”
“Did you hear my voice?”
“We heard it clearly. We have a nest in the top of a tall tree. You can hear things well from there. How are the people in the ghetto?”
“The ghetto has been liquidated.”
“Where were the people sent?”
“To Poland.”
“Have they gotten there?” Thomas asked cautiously.
“I assume so.”
While they were talking, they heard shots. The man raised his head and called out, “Run away, boys. I’ll look for a hiding place.” When Adam and Thomas didn’t move, he called out, “Quickly, quickly. You can’t stay near me.”
They returned to the tree in a crouch.The shooting continued, but they were glad they had managed to help the man who was running away. They were still worried about him. Who knew whether he had found a hiding place, whether he would hold out. They forgot about their own concerns. The image of the fugitive didn’t leave their sight.
With the last darkness the shooting subsided. They were in no hurry to come down. They listened. They didn’t leave the tree until first light. They trotted to the stream in a crouch, washed their faces, and drank.
They still had bread and some cheese.
“Adam, do you believe that God will reveal himself to us soon?” Thomas asked.
“I don’t expect so. I expect my mom and dad to return to me,” Adam surprised him.
“I thought that a believer would expect God to reveal himself.”
“Grandfather says, ‘God dwells everywhere.’ Whoever looks for God can find him anywhere — with people, with animals, and even in some inanimate things.”
“Does God also dwell in evil people?”
“Evil people have driven him out of themselves.”
“I didn’t know,” said Thomas. “Does your grandfather speak to you sometimes?”
“Grandfather isn’t talkative. He’s the silent type.”
While they were wondering what to do and where to go, they saw a dog in the distance, sniffing intently, going from tree to tree and sticking his nose among the bushes. Suddenly he raised his head and started running toward them.
It was Miro, Miro and none other.
Adam knelt, spread his arms, hugged Miro, and his voice choked. Miro looked neglected. His fur was matted and his face was thin. Adam overcame his muteness and asked, “How did you find me?” He pressed his face against Miro’s, kissed him, and pressed him to his chest.
Thomas was stunned. He had never seen such love for animals.
“This is my Miro, all mine.” Adam pressed him against his body again. “He sleeps in my room and in the winter he curls up on my blanket. How could I live without you? How’s Mom? How are my grandparents?” Miro let out a thin whine and shrank into Adam’s arms.
Thomas roused himself from his amazement and asked, “How did he find you?”
“With Miro, anything is possible,”Adam answered. “Did he ever find you before?”
“Mom once lost her wallet with money in it and was very upset. Miro saw she was upset and went out to look for the wallet, without anyone asking him to. Many hours passed, and he didn’t come back. We were afraid something had happened to him. Later that evening he came back with the wallet in his mouth. Miro is a marvelous creature. Can’t you see in him that he’s marvelous?” Adam spoke excitedly.
Chapter 18
They couldn’t believe how much their lives had changed. Adam washed Miro, filled his palm with water, and put it to his mouth. Miro was thirsty and drank till the last drop.
“Thomas and I live in the forest now. I haven’t heard from Mom since we parted. I assume she’s hiding along with my grandparents. You certainly know more than I do.”
Miro looked at him with his big eyes, let out a few soft barks, and Adam sensed that Miro was moved by their meeting and it was hard for him to talk now.
Miro was a smart dog. He knew what was happening in the house, who was sad and who was sick. If one of Adam’s grandparents were sick, he would sit by the bed and sympathize with his pain. On holidays he rejoiced with everyone.
“What happened to you, Miro, since I left you?”
Thomas asked cautiously, “Can I pet Miro?”
“Certainly. Now he belongs to both of us.” Thomas bent down on his knees and stroked Miro. Miro looked at him as if to say, I’m Adam’s friend. I can’t be your friend, too.
Even though Thomas didn’t understand the language of animals, he understood that Miro was entirely devoted to Adam now. There was no room in his soul for another boy.
Adam noticed that Thomas’s feelings were hurt, and he said, “Don’t worry. He’ll be your friend, too.”
“I’m deaf and dumb with animals,” said Thomas.
“You’re wrong, Thomas. In a little while you’ll be talking to him the way I do.”
Adam carried Miro up into the nest, and that night all three of them slept there. They had a feeling that Miro brought a message from home with him. But for now he hadn’t found the right little barks to express his message.
The next day Adam sensed that Miro was ready to tell him something. Miro raced from place to place restlessly, whining with little barks. Adam hugged him and whispered in his ears, “Tell me, dear, what you want to say to me. I’m listening.”
At last Miro pulled at his collar with his hind leg again and again with nervous movements that Adam had never seen him make.
Adam took the collar off Miro’s neck, and he found a letter folded up inside it.
Adam dear, pardon me. I couldn’t come to you as I had promised. If you haven’t gotten to Diana’s yet, don’t delay. Go to her. Give her the gold jewelry I sewed in your coat and tell her that I’ll come soon and give her more. You know Diana. She’s got a temper, but she’s not a bad woman. I believe she’ll hide you. But if for some reason she refuses to hide you, go to her cousin, Christina. She’s a widow who lives near that poplar grove, and I’m sure she’ll hide you.
I couldn’t find a hiding place for your grandparents. I can’t leave your grandparents on their own. Everyone says the war is nearly over. I pray that until then God will preserve you. You’re a smart boy, and I count on your ability to make your way. Forgive your mother who loves you very much.