One day Ilka told me they were moving to America. Her papa, who was a professor, had found work there. Is it far away? I asked. America? We hadn't studied geography yet. Over the ocean, she said. I'd never seen the ocean. I thought it was like the pond in the nearby park, only bigger. I will visit, I said. I will write, she said. The Nazis came. We did neither.
In the story, Ilka reveals to the narrator that her family is relocating to America due to her father's new job as a professor. The narrator, unfamiliar with geography, inquires about the distance, and Ilka explains that America is across the ocean, a concept that the narrator struggles to grasp since they've only seen the smaller pond nearby. The thought of visiting each other brings them hope, with promises to stay in touch through letters.
However, as the narrative unfolds, the arrival of the Nazis disrupts their plans and dreams of connection. The innocence of childhood expectations is shattered by the grim reality of the time, highlighting how external factors can abruptly change lives and sever relationships. The promise of their friendship is left unfulfilled, illustrating the tragic impact of historical events on personal lives.
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