The last Birthday at Home

A young man strolled through the City of Mosbach after walking by several stores. The 16 year old Karl looked in his pocket, pulled out a One-Mark coin and bought a piece of bread. After buying a breed and some meat for his entire family, he walked home.

On his way home he stumbled upon Maria, his friend.They had known each other since childhood and were close friends. "Happy Birthday Karl", she looked down at her feet and blushed while saying this,

He smiled and gave her a hug "thank you ". After talking for 5 minutes, he left and walked towards the house he was born in. It was located on a small hill just outside the city. To his surprise, no one was working on the fields, but smoke could be seen rising from the fireplace behind the house.

Once he was at the door and opened it, he was surprised. It was dark. Someone darkened the whole entrance room with blankets.

"Hello?" No one answered him.

After slowly walking inside, the blankets were suddenly pulled from the windows.

"Happy Birthday Karl"

Once his eyes got used to the abrupt light, he saw them.

His whole family stood there and all of them smiled. His 2 brothers and his sister stood there and signaled him that he should go to them. Two steps later, he got on his knees and looked at his 5-year-old sister into her sky-blue eyes. Her name was Erna. She pulled a small wooden box from her pocket and said

"Open it! It's my present for you"

He opened it and saw the small armband. She looked proud at it and said:" It's made from daisys. I made it myself."

He put it on and patted her and said "thank you"

After that, one of his slightly younger brothers came to him. The older one of them was named Ernst. He was 14 years old and had brown hair just like everyone in his family. He smiled and gave Karl a bottle of fine wine. "I used my pocket money on it so you better like it!"

Karl gave him a hug and sent him off with a smile.

The younger brother Heinrich gave him a small string to which a wolf tooth was attached. "That will bring you luck in your life brother."

"Thank you Heinrich"

His parents walked slowly towards him.

His mother was visibly moved and hugged him tight with tears in her eyes.

"My son is now a man."

Karl was moved by this. Normally, his family would work the whole day, but instead they prepared this just for me.

After his mother let him go, Karl looked at his father.

He smiled at his son with a proud face and said, You will get your present from me and your mother after your siblings are in bed.

"I understand, Father."

Knocks could be heard from the front door.

"Come in."

Neighbours and other friends stood at the door and said

"We are here to celebrate the birthday of Karl. Are we allowed to come in?"

"Yes, come in."

There were roughly 30 people stuffed in the small house talking, laughing and celebrating till the sun set.

After the sun sets, everyone leaves and Karl's siblings are brought to bed by his mother with the story of the lying Sheperd boy.

Karl's father said to him that he should follow him.

After leaving the house and sitting on a small bench, his father spoke

"Son... we have to talk."