Miguel O'Hara Soldier

Polish Jews were taken to the ghetto, a poor and isolated place; food and medicine were scarce, and riots sometimes broke out. Not all were sent to the ghetto; some were allowed to stay at home, but under strict surveillance most of the time. To settle, we chose the best houses in the area. I stayed in the mayor's house; he was allowed to stay and live with his family as long as he didn't cause any trouble. It was a huge, luxurious house, with several very spacious rooms, fine hand-carved wooden furniture, enormous windows, ornate moldings, columns, and balconies overlooking the beautiful garden, full of flowers and trees. As I walked through the hallways, examining the place, the sound of a piano caught my attention; I recognized the notes and the melody. I approached and quietly peeked inside; a young man was playing "Für Elise." "It's a wonderful piece, you do it very well, I understand that my presence here is not pleasant for you."