THE SWALLOWS OF MY CHILDHOOD
Busia Agranovskaya.
I was born in the village of Martinovka, Kostukovichi region, in Belarus. Most of its residents were Jews. Most of the Belarusian residents wore the last name of Bashkevich.
On Jewish holidays Jews from the neighboring villages of Dalisichi, Seletskoye, Zhurbin and Lialichi would all come to Martinovka. We, the children, were brought numerous presents. I can still remember a big water melon – I had never seen a water melon before that! After I finished the 4th grade our family sold the house and moved to the town of Surazh, so that my brother and I could continue our studies.
Once in Martinovka I fell ill with tonsillitis and my parents did not let me go to school. I was lying in bed. All the windows were closed except for the vent. I could see swallows outside sitting on the trees. Suddenly one of them flew into the open vent. It could not find the way back. It was flying around my nice big lamp and above the bed, dashed into the window several times but failed to find the vent. The poor thing could not find the way out. The birds outside were chirping loudly, as if giving advice to their friend, but with no luck… Then another swallow flew into the vent and began flying around the lamp. The first one began following it... After several circles my two guests flew out of the vent and dashsed towards the other birds. Such a victory it was!
The swallows spend winters in warmer countries. When I see them in Jerusalem, it seems to me that some of them have made a long trip from my Martinovka.
Busia Agranovskaya,
Jerusalem
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