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In the shadow of the First World War, the fate of a British prisoner of war blooms quietly in the silent night. Captain Robert Campbell, imprisoned in a prisoner-of-war camp in Magdeburg, Germany, is facing the most difficult choice of his life. His mother was critically ill and far away in England, and her last wish was to see her son again.
In one corner of the camp, Robert sat at a shabby wooden table, pen in hand, and in front of an unfinished letter. The light cast a deep shadow on his resolute face. This letter, which would decide his fate, was a letter of intercession to the German Emperor Wilhelm II, asking to leave the prisoner of war camp for a while and return home to visit his dying mother.
Robert's heart was filled with contradictions and anxieties. As a prisoner of war, his every move was closely monitored, and his request seemed almost impossible to fulfill in the harsh realities of war. However, his deep affection for his family and his endless longing for his mother drove him to take the risk. The tip of his pen trembled on the paper, and every word was a testimony of the struggle and hope in his heart.
The moment the letter was finally completed and sent out, Robert's heart was filled with uncertainty and apprehension. Day after day, he spent long waits in the camp, tossing and turning every night with thoughts and anxieties.
However, just when Robert was almost losing all hope, an unexpected news came. A reply from the German emperor arrived at the camp and went so far as to grant his request. The news caused a stir in the POW camp, but even more shocking was Robert's choice afterward.
He was given the opportunity to return to his hometown, but the reunion was more than a simple family reunion. In front of his mother's sickbed, Robert deeply felt the fragility of life and the warmth of family. However, in the face of his family's retention and deep emotional entanglement, Robert made a decision that was admired by all.
This decision not only changed Robert's life, but also brought out the brightest side of human nature in the brutal context of war. His story spread in the POW camps and became a legend, allowing people to see a spark of hope and courage in the midst of despair.
1.An unfortunate captive in the midst of war
In 1914, the skies of Europe were covered with the smoke of war. British Captain Robert Campbell, a brave officer, unfortunately fell into the hands of the Germans in a fierce battle. When he was taken to the Magdeburg prisoner of war camp, his heart was extremely heavy, and he was unsure of what the future would bring him. In the bumpy carriage, he remembered the green fields of his hometown and the smiling face of his lover, and couldn't help but feel homesick.
I don't know what awaits me,"He wrote in a letter to his family"But no matter what, I'll face it strongly. "The letter was carried in the pocket of his shabby military uniform, and seemed to be his only spiritual sustenance.
When he arrived at the Magdeburg prisoner of war camp, Robert found that the living conditions here were far more difficult than he had imagined. The prisoners of war were kept in cramped barbed wire fences, with scarce food and poor conditions. Every day, he struggled with despair and disappointment, but he never gave up hope. He often recited the names of his family members in his mind, and used this as a way to encourage himself to persevere.
One day, a letter from home broke his monotonous life as a prisoner of war. When he opened the envelope, his eyes flashed with anticipation, but he didn't expect that what awaited him was bad news - his beloved mother was seriously ill. The words in the letter were simple and direct: "Her wish is to see you again." Robert's heart instantly sank to the bottom, and he felt a wave of powerlessness, as if the whole world was collapsing.
In the evening, in the dimly lit barracks, Robert shared the news with several of his comrades. They sat around and shared the faint kerosene light. "I have to go back, no matter what. Robert's voice was firm and determined. His comrades-in-arms looked at him with understanding, and they all knew that, as prisoners of war, it was almost impossible.
But Robert decided to take action. He decided to write a letter to the German Emperor Wilhelm II, asking for a temporary return to visit his mother, who was dying of life. After hastily writing the letter, full of despair and hope, Robert handed it over to the camp commander. He didn't hold out much hope, but there was still a glimmer of light in his heart.
Days passed, and life in the camp remained monotonous and dreary. Robert anxiously waited for a reply every day, but every day ended in disappointment. However, just when he was about to give up hope, a miracle happened. A reply letter from the German emperor was delivered to him.
Dear Captain Campbell, I am touched by your filial piety, and I agree with your request. The letter reads. Robert could barely believe his eyes. His comrades-in-arms surrounded him, cheering and celebrating the unexpected good news. But Robert knew in his heart that this trip home would be an emotionally challenging one.
During the brief hometown reunion, Robert cherishes every moment of his time with his mother. He sat on the edge of his mother's bed, held her pale hand, and whispered, "I'm back, Mom." Looking at the smile on his mother's face, his heart was filled with bitterness and gratitude.
However, Robert was faced with a difficult choice. Although his family begged him to stay, he knew that he had to keep his promise and return to the prisoner of war camp. As they said goodbye, his mother hugged him tightly, tears streaming silently between the two.
Robert kept his promise and returned to the Magdeburg prisoner of war camp. The moment he stepped into the camp, he was not only a prisoner of war, but also a trustworthy hero. His story spread through the camp and earned the respect of everyone, including the enemy. In those turbulent times, Robert Campbell's story became a symbol of humanity for goodness and bravery.
2.Painful news in a letter from home
On a cold morning in 1916, Robert Campbell, a British captain imprisoned in the Magdeburg prisoner of war camp, received a letter from his distant homeland. The envelope had been turned over countless times by rough fingers, and it looked a little worn. Robert carefully opened the envelope, every movement filled with anticipation and fear.
The handwriting in the letter seemed a little shaky, and each word revealed the worry and anxiety of the family. When he read the sentence "Her wish is to see me again", his heart was instantly pierced deeply. Robert's mother, the gentle and strong woman, is now lying in a hospital bed, dying. The news was like a bolt from the blue for him, shaking his fragile heart.
Robert looked up at his comrades, their faces pale, in the cold winter wind. His voice trembled slightly, "I have to go back, no matter what." As soon as he finished speaking, a determined glint flashed in his eyes. But he knew in his heart that as a prisoner of war, this wish was almost impossible to fulfill.
His comrades-in-arms surrounded him, their eyes full of sympathy and support. One of the comrades patted Robert on the shoulder, and his voice was calm and sincere, "We all understand your feelings, Robert." But this ......It's too hard. ”
Robert took a deep breath, knowing he was faced with a difficult choice. His heart was filled with thoughts about his family and worries about his mother. At night, while everyone else in the camp was asleep, Robert sat alone on the edge of his bed, clutching the letter in his hand. The moonlight shone through the lattice and fell on his melancholy face. His heart was full of struggle, but a bold idea gradually sprouted.
The next day, Robert decided to take action. He began to write a letter of request, which he was going to send to the German Emperor Wilhelm II. In those difficult years, such a request was almost unthinkable, let alone attempted. But Robert knew it was his only chance. In the letter, he expressed his deep longing for his mother and his strong desire to leave the prisoner of war camp for a while and return home to visit his dying mother.
After completing the letter, Robert was both expectant and uneasy. He handed the letter to the commander of the camp and patiently waited for a reply. Every day of waiting feels like a year. Life in the camp was still monotonous and depressing, but Robert's heart was full of anticipation.
Weeks passed, and just when Robert was almost losing hope, an unexpected news came - the German Emperor Wilhelm II had actually approved his request. The news caused a stir in the camp. Robert's comrades-in-arms congratulated him from the bottom of their hearts, and they were both surprised and excited.
During a short trip home, Robert spent a precious time with his mother, who was on the verge of the end of his life. He sat beside his mother's bedside, held her hand, listened to her words, and felt his mother's love. During those days, he tried to dedicate all his time to his mother and family.
However, as the date for his return to the POW camp approached, Robert's mood became mixed. Despite the retention in his family's eyes, he knew he had to keep his promise. At the moment of farewell, his mother hugged him tightly, and the love between the two transcended words.
The day he returned to the prisoner of war camp, Robert felt a heavy heart, but also a pride in his heart. He kept his promise and showed rare courage and dignity. His story spread in the camp and became a legend in the hearts of his comrades. In those years of war and suffering, Robert Campbell's story became a heartwarming story.
3.Unexpected approval from the emperor
In a corner of the Magdeburg prisoner-of-war camp, Captain Robert Campbell sat at a rudimentary wooden table, pen in hand, paper spread out in front of him. His eyes were solemn, and his fingers trembled slightly, as if he was struggling to make a big decision. He was to write to a figure who seemed almost impossible to talk to at the time - the German Emperor Wilhelm II.
The letter was about his beloved mother, who was seriously ill and dying, and whose last wish was to see her son again. The tip of Robert's pen jumped on the paper, and although he tried to keep his handwriting steady, the turmoil in his heart could be felt from the trembling handwriting. He told the emperor his story, expressing his deep longing for his mother and a strong desire to leave the camp for a while and return home to visit his dying mother. After completing the letter, Robert has mixed feelings, ranging from deep longing for his family to anxiety and fear of unknown outcomes.
After the letter was handed over to the commander of the camp, Robert spent his days anxiously waiting. He knew that such a request would be almost impossible to grant in times of war, but the filial piety and hope in his heart drove him to keep waiting.
A week later, at dawn, when the first rays of sunlight shone through the mist, a German ** walked into the camp with a letter in his hand. Robert's heart raced abruptly, and his eyes were locked on the letter. Walk up to him and hand him the letter. Robert's hand trembled slightly as he opened the envelope, his eyes scanning quickly over every word of the letter.
The letter reads: "Dear Captain Campbell, I am touched by your filial piety, and I agree to your request. Robert's eyes widened, and he could barely believe his eyes. This is a handwritten reply from the German emperor, who actually agreed to his request. His mood changed from extreme unease to incredible joy. His comrades-in-arms gathered around and asked what was going on. When they heard the news, they were all shocked. This is almost unprecedented in the history of warfare.
Robert felt an indescribable sense of gratitude and respect. In that era of hostility and conflict, such flashes of humanity and kindness made him feel warm and hopeful. He immediately began to prepare for the journey back to his hometown, although he knew that it would be a short and difficult journey.
The moment Robert left the camp, his companions blessed him. There was both envy and respect in their eyes. Robert is deeply grateful for their support and understanding. He knew that at this moment, he was not only a prisoner of war, but also a son, who embarked on the road home with endless love and longing for his mother.
Robert's mood was a mixture of joy and apprehension on the way home. He was anxious to see his mother, but he was also afraid of missing his final goodbye to her. His mind wandered on the train, and his mind conjured up memories of his childhood, his mother's gentle smile, and every familiar corner of his hometown. All this made him even more eager to return to his mother as soon as possible.
When Robert finally set foot on the land of his hometown, he felt an indescribable sense of peace and warmth. He hurried to his mother's house, full of anticipation and anxiety. At that special moment, he deeply felt the importance of home and the fragility of life. This homecoming is not only a simple reunion, but also a spiritual journey, which makes him deeply understand the value of family affection and the meaning of life.
4.The promise to return to the prisoner of war camps
The moment Robert stepped into the house, a long-lost warmth enveloped him. The room is filled with familiar smells, and each piece of furniture evokes memories of his childhood. He walked softly to his mother's bedroom, his heart full of nervousness and anticipation.
Pushing open the door, he saw his mother lying on the bed, her face pale but her eyes shining with tenderness. When she saw her son's figure, her eyes immediately overflowed with tears. Robert walked briskly to the side of the bed and gently took his mother's hand. His voice choked: "I'm back, Mom." ”
Although the mother's hand was cold, she held her son's hand with all her strength and said weakly: "I know, my child, I have been waiting for you. At this moment, the hearts of mother and son were tightly connected, and the world around them seemed to be still.
For the next few days, Robert spent as much time with his mother as he could. They talked about the good old days and shared their feelings about each other. Despite the mother's growing physical weakness, her heart was filled with joy and peace with the return of her son.
However, this time of reunion was so short. As the date of return to the POW camp approached, Robert's heart began to be filled with contradictions and struggles. His family, especially his sister and father, constantly persuaded him to stay and not return to that terrible prisoner of war camp.
Robert, why do you want to go back?The father's voice was full of pleading. Robert looked at his family's grieving faces, and his heart was like a knife. But he knows that as an officer, he has an unshirkable responsibility and commitment. He took a deep breath, his eyes firm and full of determination: "Dad, I must keep my promise. It's my honor. ”
On the evening of the last day, the whole family sat around the mother's bed and spent an unforgettable night together. Although everyone's hearts were full of reluctance, they were also proud of Robert's courage and persistence.
On the morning of his farewell, Robert hugged every family member tightly. The mother's tears slipped silently, and she gently stroked her son's face with her trembling hands, as if silently blessing him. Robert clasped his mother's hand and whispered, "I love you, Mom." I will never forget this time. ”
The moment he left home, Robert had mixed feelings. With the love and blessings of his family, he set out on his way back to the prisoner of war camp. His courage and perseverance not only earned him the respect of his family, but also became a good story in the prisoner of war camps, earning him the respect of enemy soldiers and comrades-in-arms alike.
Upon his return to the Magdeburg prisoner of war camp, Robert's comrades warmly welcomed him back. They had a deep admiration for Robert's loyalty and courage. Even in the haze of war, Robert's actions were like a ray of light that illuminated the hearts of others. His story was widely disseminated in the camp and became a legend in the camp, inspiring everyone to maintain hope and dignity in the face of adversity.
References. 1] Shen Yungui. Prisoners of war on leave [J].Story Meeting,2020,0(1):48-49
2] Yan Xincai. A promise of a thousand gold[J].Happy Youth: Classic Reading (Must Read for Primary School Students), 2020, 0(5): 18-19