Stories

SO BE IT MY OLD WORLD

The shepherd in the foothills of the Alps was no longer the youngest, but
through his conscious, understanding coexistence with nature, in good
health and with an alert mind. Every year he spent as early in the summer,
and until as late as possible in autumn on his alp. It was always the
same. The farmers in the valley were happy to have someone like him.
They knew that he was such a studious man, but his open, hearty manner
quickly made them forget it. They liked him, occasionally brought a ham or
fresh vegetables upstairs. But otherwise he was self-sufficient. The
generously built alpine hut with several rooms had a solar system to
provide enough electricity, and a tapped mountain stream provided pure,
clear water. There was a herd of cows to look after, milked, and then
cheesed. He was never bored. So the days by days went by, and the
cheese which matured well over the years, sold very well in the valley.
The farmers gave him a share of the profits. He used most of it to
renovate the hut, to paint it, to replace rotten boards, and also to extend it.
Once a week, weather permitting, he climbed down with Emma. Emma
was a donkey, good-natured. Sometimes he had to pull her along, but she
always brought his groceries upstairs. Otherwise she lived in a spacious
enclosure where she was very well cared for. For lack of better he had
called her Emma from the beginning.
Recently there was a letter in his mailbox down in the valley. It was a
request from a juvenile Department of Corrections.
Dear Professor, it said. What no one in the valley knew, and probably did not care, before his life on the alp, he had lectured in economics and politics at the largest university in the country.
He was surprised to receive a request from a youth lawyer. Without
reading the content he looked for the sender. Actually, he was a Professor
Emeritus, that is, a deserving retired professor, could still have an office in
the city, which he very seldom used.
The letter was from a Dr. Erich Bühler, his character as a youth lawyer.
He opened the letter. He could remember Bühler, but hadn’t he retired a
long time ago? He must be 70 or quite a bit older. He began to read.
Dear Professor, it said. Perhaps you can still remember me. In your
younger years we often had to do with each other. Why I am addressing
you in this way. In our youth center, where I still occasionally work as a
counselor, there is a boy, 15 years old, who I think is highly intelligent.
Through several shoplifting incidents, no home, half feral, he has ended
up here in our juvenile facility. He is totally underchallenged here, nobody
wants to do games with him, because he always wins everything anyway.
Here is my request:
The summer has just started, would you accept the boy to you to the
alpine pastures with you during the summer months. This might open up
new perspectives and insights for him.
Below address, e-mail and cell phone number were listed.
The shepherd called right away and made an appointment to meet next
week.
That came about. In a consultation room they sat opposite each other. The
shepherd thought he vaguely remembered the face of his counterpart, but
could no longer identify it. Bühler did not respond. He immediately began
with information about the boy.
His name is Adam, he is 15 years old, stubborn, rebellious, usually
unkempt, lazy, hangs around all day, wasting his dormant potential.
The lawyer then had Adam brought in.
He plumped himself down on a chair and made himself comfortable, with
his legs stretched out.
The shepherd eyed him. What he saw was an unkempt, wild Rastas
hairstyle, worn clothing, tattered sneakers.
Bühler told Adam of his intentions to take him to an alp for the summer.
He only snorted contemptuously, “What am I supposed to do on an alp?
The shepherd intervened. You would be free, you could do or not do what
you want. the hut is modernly furnished, we also have television.
But if you leave, I will inform Mr. Bühler, who will have you and in a few
days you’ll be back in here locked up. And that will probably be for a long
time.
Good, Adam finally said. I’ll come with you, but only if Evi can come too.
The shepherd looked at Bühler without understanding. He cleared his
throat and told him about Evi’s tale of woe.
Everything was sad, her mother had always been an alcoholic, her father
had left before she was born and was never seen again. She grew up in
different homes and with foster parents. Whereby she never stayed
anywhere for long. At times she lived on the street. After several
shoplifting, in which she obviously let herself be caught on purpose. she
finally ended up here in the home. She has been living here for a few
months now, looks miserable and has a teary face every morning. Our
psychiatrist can’t get through to her, she consistently refuses medication.
The only one who has access to her is Adam, he takes care of her
wherever he can.
Adam listened attentively to the explanations without making a face to
what was said.
Evi was then brought in, and with her head bowed she took her seat. They
explained everything to her, and then asked if she wanted to go to the alp.
It was her free decision.
She looked at Adam and then nodded. If Adam goes, I go too.
So, go pack your things, and later you will come back here to this room.
Bühler was very direct. The shepherd will take care of you from then on.
The two went and soon returned with little luggage.
It was immediately clear to the shepherd that there would have to be
some more.
He left the office with the two and headed straight for a large shoe store
in the area. For both of them he bought sturdy shoes made of genuine
leather, exactly fitted to their feet. Evi sighed, Adam quickly took her hand.
Back near the place where he had put Emma up with a farmer, the
shepherd handed them both two large banknotes.
Here, you have two hours, go buy whatever you want with them.
Do not forget hygiene articles, warm clothes, also something to nibble on
if you want.
Be here in two hours, he said goodbye.
He himself went to a special store and bought two thickly storm jackets
with hoods, plus various other items.
Emma should have quite a bit to carry. After two hours, he waited with the
packed Emma, both of them actually showed up on time, loaded down
with a couple of shopping bags.
They made their way upstairs.
They made it, without being asked Adam helped Emma up when it got very
steep, and pushed her forward by her rear end.
When they reached the top, the shepherd showed them to their rooms.
Diner is always at 7 o’clock.
They kept to the time, on the table there was a warm chicken soup with
vegetables prepared the day before, salad, cheese and homemade bread.
This was accompanied by spicy herbal tea. Hot-hungry the two made
themselves about it.
After dinner, Adam went out for a short evening walk, it was still light
enough.
Evi sat opposite the shepherd, looked at him, and began to cry
unrestrainedly.
He moved to the other side of the table, hugged her, not knowing what
was going on.
She finally said to him in a tear choked voice, sobbing.
No one has ever bought me shoes before.
She then soon withdrew and went to sleep. Later he knocked on her door
and opened it a crack. Well covered, she was in a deep sleep. Her legs
peeked out from underneath, her shoes still on her feet.
The days went by. Adam soon took care of the cows. milking he still had
trouble, but it went then nevertheless. He watched the cheesemaking
a new world for him.
Evi mainly took care of the household, cooked whatever she could, did the
laundry. A small washing machine had actually made it to the alp.
One Saturday evening, after dinner. Evi had already gone to her room, the
shepherd and Adam were sitting opposite each other. The shepherd then
placed several objects on the table. It was a mirror, a razor and a large
pair of scissors. The last item was an expensive looking chessboard.
What is this, Adam asked, do you really want to play chess against me.
You have so no chance, in a few moves you’ll be mated.
They set up the pieces, after the draw Adam won, he started furiously with
white. The shepherd set up a defense that was hard to take. Adam
quickly realized that he had better be more careful.
By the way, said the shepherd, the loser will make breakfast in the
morning, at seven o’clock sharp, the cows are taken care of before then.
And the loser cut his head bald and shaved.
Adam snorted, you with your little hair are getting off easy.
If you’re afraid of losing, let’s not do it, otherwise go for it. The bet was
then valid, they shook hands.
For a long time they played back and forth, the shepherd then succeeded
in beating a peasant pawn that Adam had not paid enough attention to.
His left flank flank was half open. The shepherd went into attack mode,
Adam tried to cover the weak spot, but was always one move too late.
He realized his defeat and flipped his king over.
Without saying anything, he got up and went to his room.
When the shepherd entered the dining room toward morning, it smelled of
fresh coffee and fine morning food.
At the table sat two shaven-headed young people. He had to look twice to
recognize them.
Adam went quickly, then he realized that the other person was Evi.
She was also totally shaven and bald. All her beautiful hair was gone.
He was shocked, no, I didn’t mean it that way. Evi only said, what Adam
does that I also do.
So they spent the days. Later, when the weather was good, the shepherd
took Emma went down into the valley. He came back loaded, and as soon
as he began to write and draw. When the two of them woke up the next
day, a large paintable sign was on the wall. Largely written above it was
“Timetable.” They did not understand it.
In the morning your lessons begin, the shepherd spoke with a strong voice
which did not tolerate any contradiction. Adam coughed. What kind of
lessons he finally asked.
Today I registered you both for the middle school exam in the fall.
I have experience with it, so from now on we are going to take targeted
three hours in the morning and three in the afternoon in the main
subjects. He did not tolerate any argument.
So the weeks went by. They realized with time about the progress they
were making and were visibly motivated. In fact, they both made it through
the exam, were sent to a boarding school for the winter, and could develop
there further. The shepherd had saved well and paid for all the expenses.
As soon as it was summer they ended up on the alp again.
So the years passed, Evi later became a much appreciated nurse, Adam
went to the largest university to study politics and economics.
He became a recognized specialist in his field, and in later years gave
many lectures.
However, he repeatedly offended certain political circles, which were
mainly thinking of their own goodwill.
At one point he had enough and withdrew completely to the alp.
There he was, Adam the shepherd,
He was now no longer the youngest, but through his conscious,
understanding coexistence with nature, fit as a fiddle and with an alert
mind. Every year he spent as early in the summer, and until as late as
possible in autumn on his alp. It was always the same. The farmers in the
valley were glad to have someone like him.
From the kitchen he thought he could hear handling, but that was perhaps
only in his imagination.