~
“Morning, Sensei!” Momiji called, his eyes bright and cheery. It was early morning, but Momiji had all of his energy. “Sensei, we’re watching a movie today?” The rabbit looked at his teacher with bright eyes.
“Yes. We’re going to watch a movie about the Holocaust.” His teacher replied. “Now sit in your seat and wait for the bell.”
Momiji hummed as he sat on the desk, swinging his legs happily. His chair was in front of him.
“Momiji.” Haru said as he entered the classroom. “Sit in your seat, will you?”
“I am sitting at my seat.” Momiji said innocently, placing his feet on his chair. “Ne, Haru, you’re such a grouch.” He stuck out his tongue playfully.
Haru sighed as he sat down in his seat next to Momiji. “Are you sure you can watch this?” He asked. “It’s about the Holocaust. Germans did a lot of bad things back then. You sure you can handle it?”
“It’s okay!” Momiji said cheerfully. “I’ve heard lots of stuff about the Holocaust!” He jumped into his chair. “Start the movie, Sensei!” he said happily.
The old teacher sighed. “Right.” He turned to the TV. “Kuragai-san, turn off the lights!” The room darkened as the movie began.
About halfway through the movie, Momiji was staring up at the TV with wide eyes.
“These are the shoes of the children who were immediately killed in the gas chambers.” The TV showed a mountain of small shoes, all different colors and sizes. “These children were immediately killed once they arrived at Auschwitz.”
Momiji’s bright brown eyes filled with tears. They slowly dropped down, one by one, as the movie continued.
“No one cried for these people.” A Holocaust survivor had appeared on the screen. “They all died…Not one of them was cried over.”
At this point, Momiji’s tears flowed freely. He stared at the TV, petrified. How could some human have done something so inhumane…? All those children were killed, never to be remembered…
Momiji thought of Momo. Would Momo have been killed? Of course. Momiji could just imagine his little sister being sent off to the gas chamber. The quiet look on her face, the serene look of an tiny angel, being sent off to death…
Soon, the movie ended. Momiji kept crying. The rest of the class chattered. But the small rabbit boy kept crying.
“Oy, Momiji.” Haru said, turning to Momiji. “What’s the matter? You sad?”
Momiji nodded. “All…. All those little children….” He hiccupped. “No one cried….When they died, so….So I will.” He wiped his eyes. “Nngh….”
“Momiji, that was over sixty years ago.” Haru’s eyes were cold. “Get over it.”
Momiji turned to Haru, surprised. “You’re not sad, Haru?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Why not?”
“Because it happened a long time ago.”
“B…But…” Tears began to form in Momiji’s eyes. “But, Haru, children died. Little children!” Momiji started to cry again. “Haru, you’re so mean!”
Haru wrapped his arm around Momiji, letting his actions speak louder then his words.
“T…The worst thing…” Momiji said between hiccups. “The worst thing is that it’s still happening. People…A-and little children…Little girls like Momo…They’re all…d-d-dying…A-and I can’t do anything…” Momiji wiped his eyes with his sleeve. “It’s…It’s not fair, Haru……They could all…c-change the world……Help others…But they died….!”
“It is hard, Momiji. But that’s what life is like.” Haru explained, nearly emotionless.
“S-so?” Momiji hiccupped.
Haru smiled a little. “Momiji, you’re a good kid.” He said, scruffling Momiji’s hair. “Promise me you won’t change, OK? The world needs the love you have. Become a man like that.”
Momiji nodded, tears still flowing from his eyes. “M'kay, Haru. Okay. Promise.” He gave a small smile as the ox boy hugged him.
That boy has not—-and will not-—ever change.
