THE EVACUEES by Rashida Amir

During the Second World War, children were evacuated from cities in England. They were taken in the country to keep them safe from aircraft bombing raids. The children’s parents did not go with them-they went alone. 
This is the story of two such children.

The train pulled to a halt. Mary and John were led with the other children from the station to the village hall. A number of local villagers and farmers had gathered to choose who they look after. A large burly farmer and his wife who had a smiley face beamed down at Mary and John.
‘You two are to come with us to stay at Green gate Farm,’ said the farmer. The two children, weary from their long journey, looking small and lost, picked up their bags and followed the couple outside.

Finally, when they reached Green gate farm, Mary and John nervously sat on a big pile of hay. John was very curious that how their new life would be in the Green gate farm but on the other hand Mary was confused and puzzled.

The couple stared at Mary and John and asked them ‘We know that you children must be very tired from your travel but we were just wondering if you children would like to help us in our farm? Mary and John thought, helping the couple would be fun but before John could even think, Mary immediately said ‘Yes, We would love to help, right John?’ But John remained silent.

The couple joyfully led them to their bedroom. Mary and John were so exhausted that they fell asleep right away. Around six ‘o’clock in the morning suddenly the children heard a loud sound TING! TING! Ting!

The bell kept ringing forever until farmer’s wife came into their room and said ‘Wake up children! You’ve got a big day ahead of you.’

‘Come on! I will let you know about chores,’ she said loudly.

They sleepily followed her.

There were so many questions popping in Mary’s mind. She was thinking, farmer and his wife are strangers. How would they treat us? What would be our life with them? And so on…While she was battling with her thoughts, Tom asked her ‘Mary you look worried.’

‘Is it everything alright?’ he added.

Mary smiled at him and said, ‘No worries, I am all well.’

Just then Clara (farmer’s wife) came and asked the children to follow her. She took them to the farm. It was an eye pleasing sight for Mary and John and as soon as they entered into the farm, the first thing which came into their mind was their granddad. The man they loved most and all those holidays which they spent on farm with them. They both looked at each other and smiled as if they have found a treasure.

Clara looked at them and said gently, ‘My boys also loved that place a lot and I believe you will love it too.’

Clara said this and broke into tears.

Mary asked Clara, ‘ Where are your children?’

Clara looked at her with tear in her eyes and said, ‘They are killed in battle field.’

But before she could finish Mary interrupted and said ‘I am sure John and I will have lots of fun. ’ John agreed. They both thought that it was a great idea so every day they used to wake up at six ‘o’clock and finish their chores on time to spend some time in farm with their new friends.

It was continued for several month until one day when Mary and John were playing together Mary went missing. John couldn’t find Mary until he heard someone crying in the barn. When he entered in the barn, he found Mary crying under a huge pile of hay. He asked her why she was crying. She replied ‘John, I am so confused because when I was playing with my doll, I heard a police officer talking to Tom and Clara while they were putting all the animals to barn.

The police officer said ‘Your children can go home now.’

Then they said, ‘Please officer give us two more days. How will we ever tell the children?’

The officer agreed. ‘John I don’t want to go but I do miss mom and dad so what should I do John?’

Hearing this John was very upset but he said bravely, ‘I think tomorrow is our last day here.’

‘Tom and Clara will be worried about us,’ replied Mary.

‘We must go home now,’ said Mary.

So, the two went back into the house and fell fast asleep on their beds. Next morning, the couple told them that it was their last day in Green gate farm. They said their goodbyes and promised to come back soon. Mary and John walked back to the train station with the police officer. When they reached their home in the big city, their parents hugged them and said, ‘We missed you so much.’

Rashida Amir—4A