Rochelle Wisoff- Fields – Addicted to Purple
Friday Fictioneers – Additional Stories
PHOTO PROMPT © Mikhael Sublett
Evidence of Generations Lost
Grandfather died from the RAF bombing in Duisburg.
From his will, we owned the Einfamilienhaus; a ruinous shell in a wild garden.
We were delighted and began the renovation work with enthusiastic zest.
We found a painting in a secret room behind a wall. Imagine our good fortune.
“It’s a masterpiece,” the Kunthaus said. “Priceless and magnificent. Looted!”
And the skeletons?
Their descendants claimed the art and wanted retribution.
Were we to pay the price for our grandfather’s past?
Later, we discovered he had hidden and saved those poor people from transportation.
Why does thirst for revenge percolate through generations?
James McEwan 
Emotions like revenge or hate often persist through the generations of a family, sadly.
LikeLiked by 3 people
We have something like that going on here in Ontario. A 17-year-old Ukrainian boy was forced through threats of torture and death of his family, to translate for a Nazi Death Squad. Almost 80 years later, the Jewish Council wants a 95-year-old, successful businessman who employed people, paid taxes, supported the Arts, and donated millions to charities, deported. 😳
LikeLiked by 2 people
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, is it no wonder that Mother Earth is determined to be rid of the human race. (just being nonsensical today).
LikeLike
I liked this one, James. Oh, the family secrets to be found within the walls of old houses. Back when I worked for the construction company, I used to really enjoy ripping out the old plaster lattice walls… Sometimes I found really awesome treasures and the builder said I could keep whatever I found. Some of it just brought tears… old diaries and such.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I’ve never found anything of apparent value : a sick of old newspapers – still couldn’t work out there importance, half-full bottle of whisky – it was off? and a copy hole where some painters had stashed all their empty paint pots, how lazy is that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found some newspapers from the Civil War era that I later sold to a museum along with many of the artifacts that were with it. That stash was the most interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
James – I really enjoyed this – you said a LOT with few words. Good job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sharon. I thought it might be rather old fashioned referring to WW2.
LikeLike
Working out the truth of a situation can be very complicated. Knowing who to praise and who to blame. You paint this dilemma well
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yet after almost 70 years many of similar issue are not resolved, and most likely never will be.
LikeLike
Emotions run high and poor decisions are made by all. Lots of hidden secrets in this one James.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Laurie.
LikeLike
A difficult, tangled web, with no simple solution.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks like there’s a lot going on between the lines. I don’t think there can be an easy resolution that will make anybody happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s not always black and white. sometimes reality lies in between.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Their discovery certainly gave them plenty to think about. Nice one James.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sad story. I wonder why greed so often brings out the worst in us? You took an interesting and potentially controversial scenario and made it work. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Penny.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Generational payback. Made me think the the American families in the Appalachian wilderness, the Hatfields and McCoys. Killed each other off until only a few were left. If I remember correctly, they buried the hatchet, and two of them married 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such madness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear James,
The last line raises quite a question.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Greed is a horrible thing. Here he is being accused of something he did not do by folks who just want stuff that was probably given to him in thanks.
Ugly world we live in…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A powerful story of greed and revenge. Made me reflect on the self destructiveness of revenge, Like in Northern Ireland, where grandchildren of sectarians seek revenge, long after the original event. A good story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well-written and thought-provoking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Mags.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Succinct and profound James!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lynne, thanks for reading and your comment. Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year.
LikeLiked by 1 person