Then

Content Warning: This section of the guide describes depictions of antisemitic discrimination, violence, genocide in the context of World War II, and death by suicide, which feature in the source text.

After leaping from the train and burying their friend Chaya, who was killed by a Nazi machine gun, Felix and Zelda must hurry on before another train comes down the tracks. Zelda is only six, and her slippers slow them down. They lie flat on an exposed hillside as another train passes; Felix prays to Richmal Crompton, his favorite author, to keep them hidden. The train passes, and they continue on up the hill toward the cover of the forest. Felix tries to distract Zelda with stories about food. Suddenly, they come upon a pit full of murdered Jewish children. Felix tries to cover Zelda’s mouth, but she cries out, alerting Nazi soldiers to their presence. Felix is frozen in shock.

The Nazis shoot at Felix and Zelda, but the children manage to hide in the dark undergrowth. Felix is furious thinking about the dead children in the pit. Zelda asks if Nazis killed those children and declares that she hates Nazis.