Gritt Eger teaching her son, Henrik, Spring 1944. Photo by Alf Eger, a war correspondent and Henrik's father, shortly before he got killed in Russia, Summer 1944.

STORIES Around the Globe
by Henrik Eger

The autobiographical stories featured on this page are part of a book in progress about World War II and post-war Germany. They bring to life the tragic-comic personal events seen through the eyes of  Martin, a little boy, who has no idea of the atrocities that took place. 

​However, as he matures with each new experience, slowly becoming aware of the complexities of life, his naivete gradually disintegrates. For more stories about little Martin, see the dramatized version in The Americans are Coming!

All stories are copyrighted. If you are interested in publishing or adapting this story, please contact the author. In the future, more stories about other cultures and times will be added. 

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Black Shoe Polish

Shortly after World War II, Martin, a little boy living in American occupied Bavaria, meets African American soldiers for the first time, convinced that they, like him, had blackened their faces with shoe polish. 
Read an excerpt. Read a summary.

Brown Paper Bag

In 1946, Martin, his 28 year old mother, and his 2 year old sister, with everything they own in two suitcases, move north to Cologne. During the train journey, Martin witnesses death and experiences deception at the hands of a “good Samaritan." 
Read an excerpt. Read a summary.

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