Mara's Stories
Glimmers In The Dark
Summarized versions of four stories from the collection. a.k.a Plot
The Violinist and the Master
Salek was a young boy from Poland who loved music. He had been in a camp for two years, and in all that time he had never practiced his music. He had nothing to play, so he improvised. He held his chin up and his arms out, and played through songs. He could hear the music he played even though no one else could. Across from Salek on the upper platform was his Master Violinist. He and his master played the Corelli duet all with their imagination. The music was still not audible to others but now he and his master lived out their final days doing what they loved. Making music.
The Dark of the Earth
Zusia and Elimelekh, two brother rabbis who had lived poor and bitter lives in exile, decided to come back to their homeland of Poland to spread the mysteries of Hasidim. Upon their return, Zusia brought with him God's glorious ecstasy, and those who saw him marveled at the terrible love he showed. However, Elimelekh brought with him God's fearful sadness, and those who saw him marveled at the holy grief he inspired. They traveled from town to town spreading this love and grief and wherever they came, they left a town that was forever changed. One day at the crossroads, they passed a rough plank that announced the town's name: Oświęcim. In German: Auschwitz. That was where their journey ended.
The Miracle
Guards would march away, their guns still warm. The sounds of gun shots would ring through the air. But now there was only quiet. Not even the birds cawed. Nor did the wind blow. It was as if the whole world had stopped and died. Then, a gust of wind came and with it came walking none other than the great Rabbi, the Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov brought miracles where they were needed, where they had to happen. The Baal Shem Tov was now standing at the edge of a pit. As the Baal Shem Tov stood, he watched arm after arm reach into a growing light. Then the miracle came, but it did not come from the Baal Shem Tov. The miracle had come from the pit. Voices rose out of the pit and spoke to him. "Welcome", they said. He was then alone. It was once again silent.
Remember!
A King of a thriving land never truly understood something terrible. His harvest had been poisoned and if his towns people ate it they would die, and if they didn't eat it they would starve to death. One morning the King called his closest friend, Moshe, to him. The King told Moshe everything about the harvest. Moshe didn't know what the King was asking of him. Then the King spoke."You shall be a witness' 'Go all over the land and tell every soul that will listen about our story." He continued "You shall say, 'Once there was a people,' and you shall shout it far and wide, with all your might, with all your strength. You shall shout 'Once there was a people. Remember! Remember! Remember!" All the King wanted was to be remembered.
Characters
Mara
The girl who tells the stories in the barracks of Auschwitz to give people hope of survival.
Salek
A young polish boy who loved music, especially the violin. From the short story "The Violinist and The Master".
Zusia
A rabbi who lived a poor and bitter life of exile with his brother Elimelekh. From the short story "The Dark of The Earth".
Elimelekh
A rabbi who lived a poor and bitter life of exile with his brother Zusia. Also from the short story " The Dark of The Earth".
Baal Shem Tov
The Rabbi a.k.a the miracle bringer from the short story "The Miracle".
The King
The no-named King of a prosperous and happy people. From the short story "Remember!".
Mosche
The King's closest friend. Also from the short story "Remember!"
Conflict
Mara's conflict
All of Mara's stories have their own conflicts and they range from cheating death to spilling soup. Mara herself however, gets very ill and is not able to tell stories. But she knows she must because her stories are keeping people alive. In her mind she is cold and sick , but on the outside she remains lively and warm. The external conflict would be simply her fight for survival because she is battling the world around her. It was a man vs. society situation.
Setting
Mara: Auschwitz
Zusia and Elimelekh: Poland
Baal Shem Tov: Podolia
The King and Mosche: Their Kingdom
Corelli, La Folia, a violin duet
Auschwitz: Drone video of Nazi concentration camp