Touched by Fire Read Online Free

apprentice. How proud my father would have been to hear that I am working for the founder of a Jewish newspaper. In Vilna, I studied languages, so as well as Hebrew and Yiddish and German, I speak English. I hope to give English lessons in my spare time.”
    Zayde says, “You have chosen a fine trade. My son-in-law was lucky to find you.” Kolya bows his head modestly and smiles.
    So it is decided: Kolya will eat supper with us three times a week, and Papa will make him a new shirt and mendhis coat. Zayde will repair his boots too. Kolya says his mother is taking in laundry – that way Lev does not have to be left alone.
    Papa says, “If you bring me your brother’s measurements, I will make him a new shirt also. Is it a bargain?”
    “It is a bargain. Thank you, sir,” Kolya says with a big smile. They shake hands.
    Yuri has been standing at the door, staring at the stranger sitting in his place and listening to Kolya’s story. I had heard his boots clattering down the stairs, but this stranger has kept him quiet for once!
    Yuri says, “Your brother can come to play with Mikhail and me, if he wants. I am almost eight too. He does not need to speak; we will just practice marching.”
    Kolya shakes Yuri’s hand. “Thank you for your kind thought. One day, when Lev is no longer afraid.”
    Yuri flushes. It is not often that our Yuri shows the kind heart that beats under all his bragging of becoming a soldier and going to war.
    “Such a smile, he has,” I overhear Bubbe tell Mama after Kolya leaves.
    Mama says, “An apprentice does not earn much money. It is good that he comes here for a meal. How hard it must be for his mother to lose her husband and to make a living in a new country. And now she bears the burden of a child mute with fear. I hope he recovers soon.”

4
ENGLISH LESSONS
    W e look forward to our lessons after supper. Mama and Bubbe continue with their sewing. Kolya asks them to put their work aside. “You must concentrate,” he says.
    He teaches us important questions to ask and how to answer, so that when we go to America we can make ourselves understood.
    “
Where is this place?
”
    “
How are you?
”
    And the answer is “I am well,” or “I can’t grumble.”
    “
Where are you from?
”
    And the answer is “I am from Russia.”
    Mama makes us laugh. Today she asks, “Do you grow chickens?”
    Yuri corrects her. “You keep chickens, Mama. Chickens are not the same as cabbages!”
    I notice that Bubbe does not find it easy to join in. When she can’t think of a word, she says it in Yiddish – the mix of Hebrew, German, Russian, and Polish she is used to. Bubbe smiles sweetly at Kolya when he corrects her.
    The months pass. Almost a year has gone by since we arrived here. Our assignments for Kolya become more difficult. Today we must speak in English for one minute, about someone we admire. A minute seems like a long time. Bubbe talks to herself while she drops dumplings into the soup. I whisper my words as I walk to the butcher to ask for a lamb bone. Mama repeats English phrases over and over again, pounding and kneading dough, as she wrestles with the words. Anyone watching or listening to us would think we are a crazy family! Kolya encourages all of us.
    I am the first to begin. I talk about my best friend, Malka, how much I still miss our talks and laughter. I say that I will never forget her. Then it is my brother’s turn.
    Yuri stands up to speak. “I admire Kaiser Wilhelm very much. He was born with a small …” he hesitates, seeking the right word, “… crippled arm, but when he was only eight years old, he had to learn to ride. He fell off the horse many times, because he had no balance. He tried again and again, until he succeeded. Now he is a fine horseman. He never gave up. I want to be like him and serve in his army.” Kolya praises Yuri.
    I look at Papa and can guess what he is thinking. Papa does not admire the kaiser. He says it is well known, in our