Dandelion Soup (eBook)

Brian Elles (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
208 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3509-9919-8 (ISBN)

Infos

Recorded from firsthand events, Dandelion Soup shares powerful stories of perseverance, determination, and how the power of family can overcome the gravest of odds. These vivid accounts of joy and hardship resonate with readers of all backgrounds and ethnicities. Set between 1936 in West Germany through 1952 at Ellis Island, this nonfiction book follows Wilhelm Rudolph Piller, a displaced German child affected by the horrors of World War II. Through Wilhelm's perspective, readers experience the hardships of wartime, including scarce food and lost comforts like spices and sweets. Told by a previous generation, these stories offer valuable lessons for confronting today's toughest challenges.

Brian Elles has 20 years of experience in media, TV, and digital-out-of-home, enhancing the viewing experience for millions of Americans in public spaces. As a client-facing creative strategist and business leader, he collaborates with major retailers, brands, and agencies. His work is seen in big-box retailers and airport terminals, where he curates 'common ground programming'-inclusive, non-divisive video content for mass audiences. A two-time Telly Award winner for Buzzard Day the Documentary and Chi-Town Podcast: Chicago AirShow, and a W3 Award recipient for Piller Sausage Making Tradition, Brian is an author and screenwriter, currently working on his next nonfiction book and feature length screenplay.

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Dandelion Soup is a book that can be related to by readers of all ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities. Through multiple interview sessions, the author captured an older generation's story of struggle and determination faced by family members during World War II. Starting in West Germany in 1936 and ending on Ellis Island in 1952, many firsthand events fill the pages with vivid stories of happiness and hardship. The title Dandelion Soup is in reference to a powerful tale told by the protagonist, the author's late Grandfather, Wilhelm Piller. As a preteen, Wilhelm, along with his parents, sister, aunts, and uncles, were displaced German people, along with millions of others, directly impacted by the horrors of World War II. There were many occasions when there was no food to eat, no meat, no poultry, no fish, no vegetables, nor fruit to eat. Spices, coffees, teas, and sweets were distant memories from a happier time. With the early stages of starvation always lingering, Wilhelm's daily tasking during the spring and summer months was to traverse the German countryside and pick dandelions. Once his knapsack was full, he returned to his family, where his Mother would dry out the leaves, stems, and flowering parts of the plant. Boiling a pot of water, these ingredients were added to make "e;Dandelion Soup."e; It was a bittersweet meal as the soup's strong taste was offset by the warm broth that would soothe empty stomachs. These firsthand stories give perspective and add value to today's readers by providing insights and suggestions for dealing with life's insurmountable challenges.?

Textauszug

The Early Years (1936–1944)

My name is Wilhelm Piller, and I was born on November 24, 1936, in a small farming town called Bredow in Breiselang, Germany, located 60 km (37 miles) west of Berlin. We lived here for only a few months before we moved closer to my grandparents 1,000 km (62 miles) away in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia).

My father is Jakob Piller, and my mother is Elizabeth Nemeth. By trade, my father is a butcher and works many long hours sourcing meat, cutting, and then selling it to locals. My mother assists with day-to-day business transactions while also running the household. Both of my parents are hardworking people, devoted to our family; yet the business requires many hours to remain open.

My grandfather, Michael Piller, and my grandmother, Suzie Piller, are two of the most loving and warm grandparents any kid could ask for. Grandfather is tall with white hair and a strong demeanor. Grandmother is short, plump, and round with joy. She had a stroke that caused physical complications to the left side of her body, yet it is difficult to tell that she is disabled due to all the activities she routinely performs. She never let that limit her abilities and, if anything, the stroke became an inspiration for her to do more. Cooking, cleaning, helping Grandfather in his shoe shop—she technically has a disability, yet that’s debatable as she is a hardworking person.

We move closer to my father’s parents so they can care for me as my father opens his first butcher shop. As a young child between the years of 1936 and 1940, I am sent to live most of the time with my grandparents on the other side of town. My parents work long hours, and this limits their time to care for me. I routinely get to see them, typically on Sundays when we all attend mass at the local Catholic church.

Photo: Wilhelm Piller (left) approximate age four with his mother Elizabeth Piller (right), location unknown.

The town of Novi Sad (also known as Peterwardein), on the banks of the mighty Danube River, is part of Yugoslavia. The town is 300 km (186 miles) south of Budapest, Hungary, and a major roadway connects the two towns. Trade and commerce are commonplace as the river provides merchants easy access to neighboring towns. Grandfather owns a small shoe shop in town and enjoys crafting custom footwear for locals. His products are sturdy and reliable while his designs are cutting-edge and creative. He has loyal customers of all ages, and his shoe shop always has a steady supply of customers.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of me visiting the shoe shop with Grandfather. He is a dedicated and talented small-business owner who works passionately at his trade. Over the course of his lifetime, his craftsmanship and business intelligence resulted in great financial success. The magic and excitement found inside the shoe shop are that of a fairy tale. Tools hang from the rafters and chime together in the breeze. Some tools have spiky wheels, while others are long and flat. A hammer-like device is his main tool of choice; yet depending on the type of shoe, different tools help complete certain products.

In addition to all the tools and shoes, inside the ship, he also has large birdcages filled with yellow and white canaries. More than a dozen large birdcages line the walls of the shop, and the birds provide constant entertainment. He doesn’t sell the birds, he simply enjoys whistling with them, as do I.

All day, every day, the birds sing and chirp and keep the environment upbeat. I have not spoken any words, yet one thing I can do is whistle. I can whistle loud or soft and fast or slow, I love whistling, and so do my grandparents. Grandfather and I whistle, dance, and laugh all day long. He kicks his legs high in the air while waving his hands, pretending he can fly like a bird while whistling funny melodies. It feels good to laugh and to be loved. I am his pride and joy. He loves the fact that I can whistle and doesn’t care that I can’t talk but we dance and laugh to our hearts’ delight.

He usually works all morning; then, at lunchtime, we close the shop for one hour. For the wealthier businessmen of town, it is routine to stop by the local pub at noon for lunch and a drink. During these lunch retreats, it is common to have a spritzer, which is a fancy name for wine mixed with soda. Since Grandfather was my unofficial babysitter, I go with him to the pub for his daily lunch and drink.

This is the time to relax and network with fellow business owners. Many business deals are done outside of the shop, and the local pub creates the perfect atmosphere for daily conferences.

Most of the time, I remain quiet and sit alone at a nearby table. I quietly eat my cheese sandwich and stay out of the adults’ way. The elders have their discussions that do not include me, yet on one occasion, I am called upon.

I enjoy a big bite of my sandwich when I notice the room get unusually silent. I swallow my food and, to my surprise, see Grandfather and his buddies looking at me. An awkward silence passes.

“Willie,” shouts Grandfather, “whistle!”

Looking up with a big smile, I proudly rise and oh boy oh boy do I whistle! I whistle song after song, just like the birds taught me. All the men laugh as I whistle and dance around the bar, happily singing for everybody. Grandfather cheers and claps, as do his friends.

“That’s my boy,” cheers Grandfather.

After a few songs and when things settle down, we finish lunch and head back to the shop. We have a little extra spring in our step as we leave the pub. We seem to bond on a new level, and I feel happier than ever.

Upon our arrival at the shoe shop, our excitement turns into concern as we notice the front door of the shop is wide open. We always shut the door and lock it before we leave.

In the doorway, we see that one shelf appears to be knocked over as there are tools on the ground. Grandfather cautiously enters the shop first as I closely follow behind. There is a commotion around the corner as birds screech.

We slowly round the corner to find Grandmother standing there, holding a broom. Her hair is a mess with a few feathers sticking out and she grips a broom. Grandfather slows his pace before approaching his wife.

“What’s wrong honey?” he asks cautiously.

She remains still and does not reply.

“Dear,” he follows up, “are you okay?”

Both grandparents stare at each other for a moment until Grandmother finally lets loose.

“The mess, the constant mess!” exclaims Grandmother.

She flings open one of the birdcage doors as multiple canaries rapidly exit their confinement and fly around the shop in a whirlwind of activity.

Grandfather dives for the cage door to try to keep his winged friends, yet his efforts are too late. I stand there, stunned.

“Why do we need so many birds?” Grandmother continues.

She opens one, two, three more birdcage doors and allows the winged animals to fly freely. Grandfather stumbles around the shop, trying to catch his birds, yet his attempts to stop the carnage are hilarious.

Sadly, the damage is done as the birds circle the shoe shop, searching for a way outside.

As Grandfather tries to catch his birds, Grandmother opens the windows.

Feathers float in the air as birds chirp at elevated volumes.

Grandmother, with a broom in hand, helps usher the canaries to freedom. Chaos is breaking loose. Swinging the broom above her head, Grandmother tries to encourage every bird out the window. With the occasional swat at Grandfather, Grandmother passionately swats at the birds. Several of the wooden bird cages crack in the wake of her broomstick. Feathers fill the air, and there is complete pandemonium.

Grandmother is on a mission to rid the shop of all the birds, and she is determined in her mission. This is a miraculous spectacle to observe, and I freeze in place with laughter. My stomach hurts from the hilarity of my grandparents chasing each other around the room while Grandmother waves the broom above her head.

Birds continue to streak out of the open windows and eventually, the sounds of chirping fade into silence. Grandfather sits among the destruction as the last feathers float to the ground.

I limit my laughs, as it is obvious that Grandfather is in shock at the scene that just unfolded. Tossing the broom in the middle of the room, Grandmother storms out of the shop with what appears to be a smirk of satisfaction across her face.

All is quiet, and it’s eerie to hear the shop so silent. I was accustomed to listening to and singing with the yellow canaries, but that melody is no longer present.

Several minutes of peace pass before I finally pick up the broom and begin sweeping up the mess. Grandfather smiles and joins me in cleaning the shop. We both clean in silence, and I will remember this day for the rest of my life.

Later that evening, my grandparents make amends, and our evening dinner traditions and routines take priority. Everyone helps with family dinner in any capacity, from cooking the meal to setting the table or from doing the dishes to sweeping the floor after the meal, everyone has a role to perform. I am part of the larger Piller family, and I must...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 9.4.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Biografien / Erfahrungsberichte
• ISBN-13: 979-8-3509-9919-8 / 9798350999198