The Crumpled Papers
by Samantha Heidler
Robert headed to the library one afternoon to finish his report on the history of the Holocaust. He found a rather lengthy volume that he thought would do the trick. When he lifted it, he found it surprisingly light. He sat down and opened it and found that the pages had been cut out in the center, and to his puzzlement replaced with . . . . . crumpled papers. Robert carefully smoothed them out and began to read. He figured they had nothing to do with the Holocaust, in fact, they were some sort of scientific writings. Upon further studying, he noticed names, which he immediately recognized – Charles Darwin and Fredrick Nietzche.
Robert didn’t know what to make of it. He needed more time to study the pages (not to mention finish his report). He was so anxious to get home that he didn’t notice his report lying on the library desk, when he went to check the book out. As soon as got home, he spread the papers on his desk and skimmed over them. There seemed to be common themes – “survival of the fittest” and “natural selection.” Robert grabbed his backpack to look for his science book, and that’s when he realized – his report wasn’t there!!!! He flew out the front door, ran down the sidewalk and ran into his neighbor, Mr. Abrams. Robert apologized and started to explain why he was in such a hurry, but Mr. Abrams stopped him and said, “It’s okay, I already know.” He held up Robert’s report. Robert couldn’t believe his eyes.
“I found this at the library and recognized your name on it,” Mr. Abrams explained. Robert just stood there. Mr. Abrams continued, “I couldn’t help but notice your subject,” motioning to the title page. “You mind if I take a look?”
“Go ahead, but it’s not done yet,” Robert replied.
Mr. Abrams read through Robert’s report, then said, “You know, I could help you with this if you have any questions.”
It didn’t take Robert long to think of the library book. “Actually, I do need some help.” He ran back inside and got the book, then told Mr. Abrams about the mystery.
Mr. Abrams looked thoughtful. “The connection between the papers is quite simple when you think about it,” he began. “Hitler was trying to create a ‘master race.’ People like the Slavs, Gypsies, Poles, Russians and Christians, along with the Jews, were part of the Holocaust because Hitler considered them racially inferior and/or a threat to his regime. This was, in his mind, natural selection or survival of the fittest.”
“So, whoever planted those papers was trying to bring attention to this matter,” mused Robert, “and it worked. I have to put something about this in my report.”
Mr. Abrams agreed and said, “By shedding light on this subject, you might be able to prevent something like it from ever happening again.”
Robert thanked Mr. Abrams for his help and asked how he had so much insight on the subject.
Mr. Abrams said three words, “I was there.”
