In the year 1934, the author's life is described in three stages of his childhood in Poland/West Prussia, in Fürstenwalde/Spree, and in Berlin: origins, flight at the end of the war, and life in the cold and famine of a six-member refugee family. The notes from the diaries of 1947/1948 document this: Skied at Pfuhl. Was in Fürstenwalde, Friday, January 31, took Mom to Berlin. Bought the calendar 'Freier Bauer' in Fürstenwalde. Saturday, February 1, Mom returned from Berlin. Scraped potatoes. Received two salt cakes (rye rolls) from Mrs. Apitz. There was butter. Sawed wood with Peter (with the large crosscut saw). Saturday, February 1, bought ice skates. Mom returned from Wriezen. Sold a notebook for two marks. Skated to Fürstenwalde with Harry, Friday, February 21, chopped wood with Peter. 'You play dangerously.'.