The Remnant - Stories of the Jewish Resistance in WWII by Othniel J. Seiden

Ivan continued, "It would be dangerous to see the priest at this time. He might be under surveillance. A visit could endanger him..."
    "Or the visitor," Sol interrupted.
    "Yes. But if I can't find another way to contact the resistance and if the priest is not put in custody-and does not change his sentiments-perhaps he might be a lead in the future. We'll have to wait."
----
    Two days went by. Ivan and Sol moved some stones to a corner of the field near the woods at the back of the property. Ivan suddenly stood straight. "Listen!"
    "What is it?"
    "Listen! A truck!"
    It was very near. Sol ran into the woods. There wasn't time to run to the cellar. He dived to the ground and found himself near the same brush from which he watched the Germans the other day.
    "Stay hidden," he heard Ivan say. "I'm sure it's the Germans. I'll deal with them." He walked toward the house.
    There was a squeal of worn brakes. A door opened and slammed shut, as did another. German and Ukrainian voices sounded. The motor idled. Now Ivan could see the truck on the road in front of the house. Sol could not see it, but all the sounds reached him.
    Two Germans had gotten out of the cab and three Ukrainians jumped from the open rear of the truck. They had been riding there with several animals apparently picked up at other farms.
    Ivan met Sosha as she came out of the house. They walked together toward the approaching men.
    The Germans spoke neither Russian nor Ukrainian. The German who was not the driver, a corporal, spoke to one of the Ukrainians who acted as interpreter. He, in turn, spoke to Ivan.
    "We are here as representatives of the German occupation forces. We came to collect your livestock, as decreed by the commanding officer of the occupation forces of the Kiev area."
    "But I do not understand," Ivan said. "The Germans picked up my animals just yesterday!"
    Sosha's heart skipped several beats. She had no idea what Ivan was going to say to the Germans, but she never dreamed he'd tell a lie like that.
    "What are you saying?" the Ukrainian asked.
    "A truck came by here yesterday. Several Germans came on my property and just took my animals. I protested. It did no good."
    The Ukrainian repeated the story to the German who screamed questions back at him.
    "They had a German truck?" the Ukrainian asked.
    "Nicer and bigger than that one. They were all in German uniforms. No Ukrainians. All were Germans. An officer and four in uniforms like his."
    Again the confused Ukrainian spoke to the German corporal, who also became confused. More questions in German.
    "He wants to know why they left some animals."
    "I begged. I told him they were my livelihood. The officer finally agreed to leave me my horse and a few ducks. They emptied out my storage cellar."
    Again the Ukrainian talked to the German. The German answered, very animated and final.
    "I am sorry," the Ukrainian said, "there can be no exceptions. We must take all that you have left. Our list shows you had five pigs, three cows, a horse and several chickens and geese."
    "All they left us was the horse and a few chickens. Surely you won't take them. What will we eat? How will I work the fields? If you take everything now there will be no production next year. What will they eat then?"
    Sosha was terrified. What if they didn't believe Ivan? Did he have to tell such a preposterous lie? Well, it was too late now.
    The Ukrainian spoke in German again. They both looked at Ivan. Sosha looked at Ivan. She couldn't believe the ignorant expression he had placed on his face. Had she not known him, she'd have believed him too. Stupid to have made up such a story. Maybe the German would believe. She had a sudden impulse to laugh. God, no! If I laugh now we're all dead. That thought was sobering enough that the impulse faded.
    The German yelled something to the Ukrainians and turned, walking back to the truck with the driver.
    "We must take the horse and all but three of your chickens. And you must show me that the