Foraging in the Countryside
“What are you doing here? Get over there against the wall with the other male villagers.”
“But sir, I don’t live in this village. I’m just out foraging for something for my family to eat—I
found these eggs and sausages at an empty farmhouse. There’s hardly any food left in the city. I was just passing through—I’m heading home now.”
“What’s you’re name?”
“I’m Karl van Houten, Captain.”
“Where are you from?”
“Amsterdam.”
“That’s a long way to ride a bicycle. Let me see your papers.”
“Here’s my identity card. I live with my parents and sisters in Diamantbuurt, by the Amstel.”
“What do you do in Amsterdam, Karl?”
“I was going to the university. I studied biology. Now we’re just trying to get through the war.”
“Ah, biology! That was my favorite subject in grammar school. I love to watch things grow.
Myself, I have a degree in economics. When this war is over, perhaps well meet through
business. My uncle owns a pharmaceutical company in Berlin—I’m sure he could use a young
biologist.
But Karl, you know the war could be over now if everyone would simply accept the new order.
One of these villagers killed a German soldier last night. Slit his throat while he slept. Now they
will pay.”
“Will you arrest everyone in the village?”
“No. We are not animals. We let the women and children go free. Karl, I want you to watch
something.”
“What?”
“A biology lesson. We are going to punish the men of this village for their crime. Pay close
attention, it happens quick. Look for the exact moment when their lives leave their bodies. Watch the blood drain; watch the lifeless bodies crumple to the ground. You may examine them after, if you wish. This is something that you will never learn in university.”
“I don’t want to watch. Please, may I go?”
“No… Men, is this all of them? That one is too young– let him go. Now…raise your rifles…
Fire! Again. Fire!”
“Oh my God…”
“Now, I hope you’ve learned this lesson well, Karl. I hope we meet again after the war. Good
luck with your studies.”
Bio: Kyle van der Laan teaches writing and humanities at Granite State College and Lyndon
State College. In 2012 he received an MFA in creative writing from Goddard College. He writes
a blog of essays and short stories, blackcatprose.com.
