Why I Love Teaching (by William)

My Student's Homework about Win-Win and Listening to Others

            This Thanksgiving may have symbolized Zoom family get-togethers or wolfing down whole chunks of turkey meat all by yourself. But the end of autumn this year had a far greater meaning than cranberry sauce to me. One that transcended above Thanksgiving documentary nights and family feasts. In the gloom of distance learning this year, a group of close friends and myself co-founded a non-profit organization. We called it Alliance of Academic Achievement. So why was my Thanksgiving so special? Our infant organization was launched shortly after Thanksgiving, and all of our volunteer teachers (including me) were in a scramble to start the teaching campaigns. My first class -- Christmas Songs for Tiny Tots successfully started in Early December. I taught two batches of kids until the singing lessons ended on Christmas Eve, and I discovered my passion for teaching.

            When I looked closely into the eyes of the elementary schoolers, I saw doubt which slowly morphed into contentedness and bravery. One of my students, Angeline, was very shy at the beginning of the singing classes. In the first class, I only saw her hair and the round top of her head. She displayed her bright eyes in the second class. In the third class, she revealed her wholesome face. After asking her about Christmas gifts in the last class, her smile appeared. My course taught her to be brave and be her authentic self. Due to the success of the Christmas song course, I then taught multiple rounds of 7 Habits of Happy Kids Reading and Discussion Class. I read Sean Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens twice during 6th and 7th grades, and thought the adapted version for elementary schoolers would be beneficial. The kids hugely enjoyed the stories and laughed along with the 7 Oaks gang. As their mentor, I witnessed my students acquiring the life skills needed to succeed in school and beyond. One of my students, Ann, actively used her life skills on a daily basis. Upon bringing home a box of snacks, Ann’s mother’s heart skipped a beat when Ann not only helped herself to the snacks, but also opened a bag for her mom – describing the situation as “Win-Win (habit 4).”

            Every time I teach elementary schoolers, I feel grateful. Grateful for AoAA. Grateful for my students’ curiosity. Grateful for the knowledge I possess and pass down. My mother even observed that I have a rare twinkle in my eyes when teaching classes. The core reason for my passion for teaching is I can be a positive influence on the lives of others. My singing classes have taught kids Christmas songs which they may sing to their children and grandchildren. My 7 habits class taught them life habits which they can benefit from later in life. I’m honored to share my knowledge with elementary schoolers and help them dream big and fly high. My heart is filled with compassion, and my soul glimmers knowing that my students are blessed with strong wings.

            I’m looking forward to teaching my new Core Biology class in March.  

PS: You may enjoy watching my YouTube videos about teaching elementary school kids. Singing class: https://youtu.be/3h8rLRadNfA  Reading and Discussion class: https://youtu.be/r99BVwhCkJ0

Mars Exploration, the Dream of Humankind (by William)

In the past 60 years, humankind has been fascinated with space and interstellar travel.  In 1969, the United States made history by landing the first man on the moon.  Unfortunately, the disasters of Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger hindered funding for NASA, and in recent years, America has sent astronauts to one and only one location: The International Space Station.  If the United States wants to lead in space exploration, we must put Mars exploration on the top of the agenda.  There are practical, strategic, and ideological reasons why Mars should be the next space travel destination. 

Mars Photo from NASA

First, from the practical perspective, humankind only has one home, the Earth.  As Robert Frost said, “Nothing gold can stay,” there will be a day when Earth is no longer habitable to humans.  Before that day comes, humankind will need to find a new home, and the best candidate is Mars. 

A settlement on the moon is a bad idea. The moon has very little atmosphere, meaning there is little to no protection from meteorites and radiation.  The moon settlement will need constant supply trains from Earth to ensure sustainability.  If civilization fades out on Earth, it’s impossible for the moon settlers to be independent, given the limited resources available. 

On the other hand, Mars settlers could achieve self-reliance – nuclear fission could create power, ice could provide water, greenhouses could supply food, and carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen mixing would provide air.  Mars might even become a stepping stone for humans to travel to other possible life-sustaining planets.

Furthermore, Mars exploration has strategic importance.  The success of the space program reflects a country’s economic strength, science and engineering advancement, and political leadership.  The Mars program might even provide scientific evidence to help us understand the origin of life and the evolution of planets. Mars exploration will not only benefit the United States, it will improve the quality of life of all humankind.   

Curiosity and creativity define the human species.  When we run out of frontiers to explore, we look for new ones. We’ve conquered the skies, ruled the seas, dug through the soil, and tunneled through the ice. We have even traveled to the moon! Our next great frontier is Mars.   

Policy makers need taxpayers’ full support for Mars exploration. The elected officials, no matter are they Republicans or Democrats, should pursue the mantra of Education and Collaboration to win taxpayers’ support. 

NASA could take the leading role to educate students and general public about the significance of space exploration. NASA and other relevant government institutions could collaborate with private corporations such as Space X to stimulate innovation and public interest in space exploration. The United States also needs to team up with international space agencies to gain global support.  

Social media and entertainment industries could also be great partners to attract public interest and enthusiasm in the Mars Exploration Program. Since Lucasfilm released the first Star Wars movie in 1977, space-loving Star Wars fans have clamored for more space adventure films.  I watched all Star Wars episodes and whenever I hear “The Imperial March,” I, too, want to go forth and explore endless galaxies. 

A few years ago, my family and I visited JPL during its Open House. The exhibition booths and the opportunity to speak with the incredible scientists simply wowed me. The solar system poster from that event still hangs on my bedroom wall. I look at that poster and dream about possibilities. Curiosity and teamwork produce incredible results. 

The dinosaurs became extinct when a meteorite struck the earth.  The mammoths became extinct after the last ice age ended.  Humans are facing challenges such as global warming, giant meteorites, or unexpected ice ages.  We need to be prepared for those catastrophes.  Unlike dinosaurs and mammoths, we Americans are risk takers and dreamers.  If we are capable of landing on Mars, our future generations will benefit from our endeavor, and we will leave a lasting impact on humanity in this universe. May the Mars Force be with you.

 

Thanks Ms. Cugini for your guidance.

How has Covid-19 changed my life and community (by William)

Twenty years from now, when we middle schoolers enter our adulthood, we may look back upon this time with mixed memories. The annual growth rings of year 2020 will be exceptionally different. For me, my growth ring comes much fatter and wider because I have eaten more, slept more, and exercised less. COVID-19 has changed me and my community in many ways. First, it forced all of us middle schoolers to stay home, but the bright side is that we have more time to help our family. Second, the pandemic causes us to rely more on technology. Finally, the world community has had to learn to bond as a team.

When life gives us lemons, we make lemonade, and add some honey. Difficult times challenge us and how we respond to those times determine our strength. During this pandemic, my grandma has felt as if she has been confined to prison. She lives with no company and fears stepping foot outside to catch the dreadful contagion. She goes through her daily routines and most often feels lonely. Not only is she an innocent prisoner in her apartment, she is held as a prisoner in her own mind. I have been entertaining her through video calls every day since the start of the pandemic back in March. She feels less lonely when she sees me, and bonding with her has become easier; we discuss her worries and when we finish conversing, we give one another virtual kisses. I even made a YouTube video encouraging kids to reach out to grandparents (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07DY64BZXLE). During quarantine, my parents especially appreciated my cooking and delivering healthy lunch to their desks when they were busy with work. In fact, I learned how to whip up a variety of healthy choices from chicken noodle soup to grilled cheese sandwiches.

COVID-19 may have closed my school and the playgrounds, but technology has opened a new window out into the world. I am more grateful for technology, and I have also learned how to better leverage the tool. One hundred years ago, the Spanish Flu devastated the world. At that time, people were asked to stay indoors. School was entirely halted, with obviously no distance learning. Although COVID-19 might have separated us from the realm of traditional learning, we must be thankful that time has found us in the digital age. During the summer, I registered free classes at Wave Learning Festival, a non-profit created by college students. While COVID might have eliminated most face-to-face interactions, Wave Learning and Zoom have connected me with students not only in the US, but also from the UK, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. This global digital interaction exposed me to new instructors, international classmates, and I have realized that the would world faces this plight together. Borders do not stop a pandemic, but the world can open its borders and fight this scourge together. In this experience, I have not only learned from my instructors, but my eyes have opened to the fact that the whole world faces this plight together, not separated through borders.

Hardship brings a community together. Even before COVID-19 hit America, the aunties and uncles from my community collected donations and purchased masks to help the efforts China. Three months later, these same aunties and uncles purchased a shipment of masks from China and donated them to local hospitals. Because of COVID-19, my community has become so much more active, generous, and caring.

The growth ring for me in year 2020 is not only fatter and wider, but I have grown in compassion, generosity, and appreciation for the goodness of others. The growth ring for my community is stronger and tougher, with a realization that we face COVID-19 collectively as a team, and as a united world.

(Special thanks to Ms. Cugini for the nice comments and suggestions.)

The Bloody Tudor (by William)

A Story Inspired by Shakespeare's Macbeth

House of Tudor Family Tree

Characters

Mary - Queen of England

Elizabeth - Mary’s rival and half-sister

Three Oracles

Hampshire

Bothwell

York

Cornwall

Emmett - Cornwall’s son

Murderers

Devon

Sussex

Essex

Northumberland

Norfolk

Suffolk

Hereford

Setting

The year is 1558. The day is November 17. Mary and Elizabeth, half-sisters and rivals for the throne, are waging war…

Act 1 Scene 1

1st Oracle: Ha!

2nd Oracle: Ha!

3rd Oracle: Ha!

1st Oracle: When the battle is over…

2nd Oracle: Appear to York, and make him do thy bloody deed.

3rd Oracle: Darkness calls, it is his destiny.

Altogether: Fair is foul, and foul is fair. By midnight the queen shall have gory hair. 

Act 1 Scene 2

Throne Room. Enter Mary and a bloody scout.

Mary: What is thy matter? Speak up!

Scout: My great queen, I have a war report.

Mary: Well, then say it.

Scout: The traitorous earl of Suffolk joined forces with that insufferable Elizabeth, your very half-sister!

Mary: Very well. Go on.

Scout: York and Cornwall were immediately dispatched to the battlefield, where they won an outrageous victory. I would like to talk more, but my injuries should be treated first.

Mary: Fabulous! Have Suffolk’s head on the chopping block immediately. As for you, your wounds and story do you credit.

Enter Essex.

Mary: Essex! How was thine battle?

Essex: We won by a landslide.

Mary: Were our commanders, Cornwall and York, afraid?

Essex: They were as afraid as falcons are of sparrows.

Mary: That is quite an honor. Have Suffolk killed and give his land to the brave and loyal Earl of York.

Messenger and Essex: Will do, your majesty.

Essex exits

Mary: As for my little sister, I still need to deal with her.

[Exeunt]

Act 1 Scene 3

York and Cornwall enter.

York: No, Cornwall, you definitely deserve more than me. You cut off their supply lines!

Cornwall: York, let’s not draw conclusions so soon.

Oracles enter.

York: Humph! What a misty and mysterious forest. [sees oracles] Who art thou? What strange garments! What art thou doing here? What art thou? Ghosts?

1st Oracle: York!

2nd Oracle: York!

3rd Oracle: York!

Oracles: All hail York!

1st Oracle: York, Suffolk, and King hereafter!

York: What? Suffolk? I know that I am York because I hath inherited thy land, but Suffolk? Suffolk is a rich man. And then, I can’t even become Suffolk, how do I become king? Ridiculous.

Cornwall: What praise! What do you say about me?

Oracles: Cornwall! Beware York, Cornwall! Lesser than York but greater. You shall not become king, but your children shall!

Oracles vanish.

York: How strange, why beware me?

Enter Essex, running.

Essex: Great knight, our holy queen has decreed that Suffolk be a traitor! You will be Suffolk along with York!

York: Hmmm, if I just became York, then can’t I become king?

Essex: Come, come! Meet up with the queen!

[Exeunt]

Act 2 Scene 1

Lady York: My lord? Ah, I see! Three oracles? York, Suffolk, and King? Already Suffolk? [Puts down the letter] My dear, the only thing I must bring out in you is ambition. [Enter York] My lord! What news does thy bring?

York: The queen is staying here, to-night!

Lady York: If that is so, it is time to take action.

York: I am one who is loyal to my country.

Lady York: Do you want to remain loyal to your country, or are you going to achieve authentic manhood?

York: Well-

Lady York: If you want real manhood, then you will help me execute my master plan.

York: [to audience] Which one shall I pick? I do not want to mirror what Macbeth did wrong a few generations ago. [to Lady York] Fine. I will help you.

[Exeunt]

Act 2 Scene 2

Enter York and Murderers.

York: For this to completely work out, I need you to murder Cornwall and his teenage son. They know what I know, and they are a threat to me. And you know what he did to you. He stripped ye naked, tied ye to a bed, and flogged you till you were quite dead.

Murderers: Yes, that was an unfortunate situation.

York: Cornwall is an enemy to me as he is to ye. Now go do your job!

1st Murderer: Yes, sir!

[Exeunt]

Act 2 Scene 3

Midnight. Enter Lady York.

Lady York: Where is my husband? I have done my share. Drugged and drunk, those servants won’t wake up till a week passes. But soft, what is that? A dagger. Let me grasp thee, deadly sight! Or is that just my imagination. It is time to pull together. Act as one accord!

Enter York

York: I must go now dear, although I am quite nervous.

Bells Ring.

York: Prithee, ye hear? Don’t hear that bell, Mary, for this is the bell that carries you up to heaven or forces you down into hell.

York Exits.

Lady York: I myself am getting nervous and guilty. What is that I hear? I fear they have awakened and the plot foiled. What’s to be done now?

York Enters.

Lady York: My husband. How art thee? Why do you still have the daggers? Put them back!

York: I won’t! I can’t! You do it!

Lady York: Fine, you coward. And wash your hands.

Lady York Exits

York: My conscience gets to me. Go away conscience, and leave me with full confidence.

[Exeunt] 

Act 3 Scene 1

Enter Murderers. Cornwall’s guest chambers

1st Murderer: Get ready. Cornwall will arrive in a few moments with his son, Emmett.

2nd Murderer: Think of this as a piece of revenge for that atrocity!

3rd Murderer: I remember. We were fighting for Elizabeth, but Cornwall captured us. He stripped us naked and flogged us so. He then tied the three of us together and tortured us for information. As if I’d ever given any information!

2nd Murderer: Quiet! He’s coming in.

Cornwall: If York can become king, then my children will be able to as well. But how do I ensure that my children become king? By killing York? No, these are dirty thoughts. Emmett! Don’t go outside. It does look like it will rain.

1st Murderer: Then let it pour blood!

Cornwall: No! No! Treachery! Fly Emmett, fly fly fly!

Emmett escapes.

3rd Murderer: Why did you put out thy damned light? We’ve only done half the job!

2nd Murderer: True. Let’s report what we have done to York.

[Exeunt]

Act 3 Scene 2

Westminster Abbey. Enter York, Lady York, Devon, Sussex, Essex, Northumberland, Norfolk, Hampshire, Bothwell, and Hereford.

Devon: Fellow nobles, I hope you know that Queen Mary and our great friend Cornwell have both been murdered.

Essex: Of course I have! This is no small thing! And to add on interest, all of these unfortunate incidents happened at York’s castle in Scarborough.

Murmurs of agreement

Northumberland: Do you think York may have been the culprit?

Sussex: Of course! Every arrow points at him.

Bothwell: I disagree! York is noble and loyal to the queen.

Hereford: Hush, hush! Here he comes.

King York: Welcome to the feast and coronation! [Sees ghost of Cornwall] Bloody ghost! Vision! Dreadful sight! Go hither. Get out of thine sight. Get out of thy seat. Don’t shake thy gory curls at me. You bastard!

Hampshire: Is his majesty alright?

Queen York: My lord has a chronic mental illness. Don’t ever mind him.

King York: Bastard! I didn't do it! Cox-comb! Skamelar! Leverter! Be any form but this, ghost! [Ghost disappears] I’m fine now.

Queen York: You have spoiled the enjoyment of this evening because of this utter lack of self control. Everybody leave! My husband needs some time. 

Act 3 Scene 2

Enter Noblemen at a rally.

Essex: I’m going to aid Elizabeth. Who will join me? King York has murdered Mary. Our King is a downright thieving bastard. He is a tyrant!

Devon: I shall!

Northumberland: For war, I shall!

Sussex: To our relationship!

Norfolk: For freedom!

Hereford: For no fear.

Bothwell: I will not join ye to uphold loyalty.

Hampshire: I shall not for honor.

Essex: Then we shall part our separate ways

[Exeunt] 

Act 3 Scene 3

Enter Oracles.

Oracles: Double, double, blood and rubble. Fire rage and ask for trouble.

1st Oracle: Add frog’s leg and pig’s blood.

2nd Oracle: Eye of newt and claw of cat.

3rd Oracle: Falcon poop and dog’s tail.

Oracles: Double, double, blood and rubble. Fire rage and ask for trouble.

1st Oracle: Dust of elm and midsection of maggot.

2nd Oracle: Tooth of Frenchman and leg of duck.

3rd Oracle: Add Beaver tail and dry fish bladder.

1st Oracle: Bar of steel and rat hair.

2nd Oracle: Cow’s tongue and dirt.

3rd Oracle: Diced lion and rhinoceros horn.

Oracles: Double, double, blood and rubble. Fire rage and ask for trouble.

Enter York.

Oracles: York, York, York!

York: You hags, what is to happen next?

Oracles: We have made apparitions for you.

1st Apparition appears.

1st Apparition: York! York! York!

York: If I had three ears, I’d hear thee.

1st Apparition: York! Beware Essex. Beware the Earl of Essex. Dismiss me. Enough.

York: Yes, fear Essex. What else?

1st Oracle: The apparitions will not answer questions.

2nd Apparition appears

2nd Apparition: York! York! York! You shall be invincible until Hamilton Wood comes to Westminster Abbey.

3rd Apparition appears

3rd Apparition: York! York! York! No one of a woman born shall harm thee.

York: Then why fear Essex? Goodbye.

[Exeunt]

Act 3 Scene 4

Castle at Cardiff. Enter Elizabeth and Essex.

Essex: I have brought to your service some noblemen to fight against those no good Catholics. Only the lords Bothwell and Hampshire.

Elizabeth: Wonderful! We strike when the iron is hot. Gather your lords and tell them to have a forward strike on --

Norfolk rushes in

Norfolk: Essex! Your whole family hath been killed by the tyrant York.

Essex: My children too? My pretty little ones? My wife?

Norfolk: Yes, the tyrant is best at doing these atrocious things.

Elizabeth: This is no time to grieve. Win this war and you shalt get your revenge.

[Exeunt] 

Act 3 Scene 5

Enter King York, Doctor, and Messenger.

King York: What is the situation with my lords?

Messenger: Terrible things, my lord. Only Bothwell and Hampshire have stayed with you.

Doctor: Report on your wife: she is dead. She died of madness last night.

King York: Oh, well. Tell Bothwell and Hampshire to get their armies in formation. 

Act 3 Scene 6

Enter Elizabeth, Devon, Sussex, Essex, Northumberland, Norfolk, Hereford, and Armies

Elizabeth: What wood is this?

Devon: Hamilton. Every man grab a bough and advance!

Essex: I will hunt down that hell-hound.

Act 3 Scene 7

Messenger: Sir, sir! Hamilton Wood is advancing.

King York: Let me see! Oh, well, we may die fighting with honor.

Messenger leaves

Essex: Turn, hellhound, turn!

King York: Out of all people I have avoided you. [Starts Fighting] Ha! You’re wasting effort. Nobody born shall harm me.

Essex: Then tell thy demon angel who told you that Essex never had a mother and was untimely ripped out of his mother’s womb.

King York: They tricked me!

They fight. King York is beheaded.

Enter Elizabeth, Devon, Sussex, Northumberland, Norfolk, Hereford, and Armies

Elizabeth: The noblemen have subdued the enemy and put Bothwell and Hampshire at mercy.

Essex: Long live Elizabeth! Long live the queen!

All: Long live Elizabeth! Long live the queen!

[Exeunt]

Hank and Angelika, a Romeo and Juliet Inspired Story (by William)

In smoke and tears a new love is a’formed. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath be stored. He looseth the pain and suff’ring, mankind’s lesson be implored. Where the fatal shot makes people fall like rag dolls in a storm. The truth keeps marching on.

Hank and Angelika 

Characters

Hank - Private in the American Army

Hawk - Buddy of Hank, American Sniper

Tom - Sherman Tank Pilot

General Patton

Colonel Harold

Angelika - Enigma coder for the Nazis

Hans- Private in the Wehrmacht

Jarmann - A Nazi Sniper, brother of Angelika

Oskar - Panzer Tank Pilot

Stroop - Nazi Lieutenant

Helena - Sister of Angelika, also an Enigma coder

Chester - American Lieutenant

Doc - American Medic

American Soldiers

Wehrmacht Soldiers

Herald

Setting

            May 1945. The allies on all fronts are advancing into Nazi Germany. This takes place in the Ruhr Region of Germany, where an army of Americans has pushed deep into the Nazi heartland…

Act 1 Prologue

Herald: In smoke and tears a new love is a’formed. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath be stored. He looseth the pain and suff’ring, mankind’s lesson be implored. Where the fatal shot makes people fall like rag dolls in a storm. The truth keeps marching on.

[Exeunt]

Act 1 Scene 1

Enter Hans and Jarmann, hiding behind a bush.

Hans: By my word, Jarmann, we shalt not give them an easy time.

Jarmann: Ja, for then thy shouldn’t fight. Shan’t be a Nazi.

Hans: Nein, I mean, when they come near, we shalt at their back.

Jarmann: So you’ll pull out thy dirk by thy hilt and stab? What an ape!

Hans: [Pulling Jarmann down] Quiet! Does thee hear?

[Sound of men talking off-stage]

Hans: That is not our native tongue. It hath to be the British or Americans.

Jarmann: Pluck thy pistol out! Make a scene, I’ll back thee with thy murdering-piece and sniper rifle.

Hans: What, so you may turn thy back and run?

[Men shouting, tanks rumbling]

Hans: My, my, a good group to be executed we have here.

Jarmann: I wish we had Oskar with us. He’d scare those enemy trucks off.

[Americans enter]

Hans: [Firing at the Americans] Fire! Back me!

Jarmann: [Killing a soldier] For our Fuhrer!

Sound of crashing undergrowth behind.

Lieutenant Stroop: Thy fools! Why in Hitler’s name must thy uncover our secret outpost? Fire if you want thy lives preserved!

Switch to the American perspective

Lieutenant Chester: Those German bastards! Tanks forward! Infantry advance! Hand me my pistol and staff, ho!

Tom: Copy that, Sarge! Traverse left!

Hawk: [aside to Doc and Hank] Those Nazi scoundrels just took out Armie. I’ll see to silencing one of their guns. [He crouches, aims, and fires] Ha Ha! Another good shot.

Hank: Hey Doc, let’s go take out that villain nest.

Doc: [Huge explosion] Woah! I don’t think that is safe!

Oskar: [Hiding in the undergrowth] Har har! My Panzer tank shall annihilate the enemies. [Explosion] Help, Help, me thinks I’m on fire! Augggh! [Voice fading, Oskar dies]

Lieutenant Stroop: Well, the fatherland is now at stake. Retreat! Retreat! Fall back!

[Exeunt]

Act 1 Scene 2

Nighttime. The American camp. Doc, Hawk, and Hank enter in their underwear, waiting for their clothes to dry.

Hawk: Well boys; That was a nice skirmish we had right there. I heard the elite corps in today’s battle took one of them Heinies prisoner. He was stripped and checked, and then taken to the barbed wire camp. We’re lucky we did not get taken prisoner. I hear thy Nazis bring upon POWs much pain and suff’ring. But we all did well!

Hank: Aye, you could say we are just like brothers, quarreling hand in hand.

Doc: Great job, Hawk. That was a nice shot thee made there. My sight would not allow me to be a good sniper. So I became a medic instead.

Hank: What’s so great about being a medic, Doc? I mean, when you could be out in the frontlines with all the glory?

Doc: The recognition you get as a medic is very well unbelievable. It feels good to save other people’s lives. Say, I must attend to the wounded.

[Doc puts on his trousers and uniform, exits]

Enter General Patton

Hawk: General! What a pleasant surprise. Umm… As thee may see, we were not quite expecting thee.

General Patton: No fear, great hero. We are all men, and I don’t at all mind you and your friend in just your briefs. You see, I came with Colonel George to meet up and reinforce Sergeant Chester. I heard just this afternoon of how your company was ambushed by thy large German outpost, and how you and your comrades [looking at Hank] were as afraid of the Nazis as tigers are of hares, and eagles are of mice.

Hank: Revered general, I don’t know what to say. Thee defeated thy desert fox in North Africa and punched a hole in Normandy. Your widespread reputation is respected by German High Command. Thee deserves no better title as this of a general’s.

Patton: Well, peace be with you, boys. Here comes your Sergeant.

Patton walks over to Sergeant Chester. They talk in low voices.

Patton: Why do we stall when we have an open road? Why are the paths to Berlin both dark and light? Why are the deceased both honored and forgotten? Why is the morale of our army both high and low? The German bastards! This war has dragged on too long. I remember my past days. Rommel the desert fox. His army was a respectable pain. Covertly unconcealed. Belligerently passive. Violent peace. And Normandy. Our boys fell on the sand in heaps, and their blood dyed the waters nearby red. Ear-pounding silence. Replenished tiredness. I can’t wait until Nazi Germany is defeated. May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.

Chester: Sir, we are pushing into Cologne tomorrow, correct?

Patton: Correct. Waste no time. The day after tomorrow, our troops will aid other Americans, so we’ll move into Munster.

[Turning to the camp’s soldiers]

Boys! Have a good night’s sleep, for tomorrow we attack Cologne. We’ll be marching a lot in the next few days.

[Exeunt]

Act 1 Scene 3

Enter General Patton, Colonel Harold, and Lieutenant Chester

Patton: Our country is desperate. This war has been too bloody. Old chaps like me remember the Great War which was supposed to end all wars. Talk about irony. We will sweep into Cologne tomorrow. Tell the men to leave no survivors. Shoot the German soldiers that do survive. I won’t have a coward in my army.

Chester: Are you sure, general? As far as I know-

Patton: No buts! I need to make sure all of our soldiers are mentally stable enough to kill a Nazi. I won’t have a coward in my army.

Harold: I guess it is settled then. Goodnight, comrades.

[Exeunt]

Act 2 Scene 1

Americans enter, marching. Sherman Tanks rumble alongside the infantry.

Hank: Look yonder the sunrise, and you can see the town. [aside] It reminds me of my own hometown. It makes me miss home.

Hawk: There is a reason they call me Hawk. Hawks see wide and far. Of course, I see Cologne in the distance.

Doc: Keep on the lookout for any Nazis. I hear Cologne is heavily fortified. Thee must not die, or I shalt die with you.

Tom: That’s sweet but quite disgusting. Our Lord will punish you for suicide. Don’t worry, thy tank hath high viewpoints. I shall blasteth anything that comes thy way.

Colonel Harold: Men, know that you will be honored in this fight of life and death. Know that if thee dies, our country hath a better chance of being the victor in this war.

General Patton: Forward tanks! Our nation honors you and needs your bravery and valor. Today we depend on you to storm Cologne.

Tom: Welp, that’s us. See you later guys! My tank column! Forward!

[Tanks exit]

Lt. Chester: Infantry, be ready. There are machine gun nests positioned all around Cologne, so you will have to capture the Nazi gunners one by one. There will be casualties, but let God bless you all. [aside to Colonel Harold] How are you expecting our boys to go headfirst into all that bastard fire?

Colonel Harold: Yes, we are expecting you to command your men to dive into the bullets and take out the Nazis.

Lt. Chester: But our young men of our nation - there will be so many casualties.

Colonel Harold: This is straight from the command of General Patton. If I were you, I wouldn’t argue with him.

Lt. Chester: B-But---

Patton and Harold: [together] We are your commanding officers, and we demand you to follow orders.

Lt. Chester: [aside] Alright-alright, I’ll follow the orders. [sighing] A part of me tells me not to keep sending our young men into the battlefield to die. 

Act 2 Scene 2

Defensive Positions around Cologne.

Angelika: What lovely defenses we have in my hometown. I hope they’ll hold up against the Americans.

Helena: Ja, I can’t stand seeing Cologne destroyed. Those Amis may be brave, but they are very much misguided. Say, sister. How do you like the new job?

Angelika: Oh, it is a pleasure. Our country’s young men need intelligence to fend off those vicious allies, of course. Yeah, writing enigma code is a good job to have at this time. The Brits and Amis are advancing from the west and those no-good Soviets are closing in from the east. We need as much propaganda now as we can muster so our people remain to fight for us.

Jarmann: As I was saying, Hans. These are my two older sisters.

Hans: Ja, Ja. Angelika is so very pretty. How old is she?

Jarmann: Twenty-four.

Hans: That’s old enough to marry. May I marry her? She looks petite, my kind of girl.

Jarmann: Well --

Hans: She’s old enough.

Jarmann: Well --

Hans: Please?

Jarmann: Ok, fine. Since you are a good friend of mine. And handsome too. But wait another year, and by then she’ll be ready.

Lt. Stroop: Stand at the ready, men. Here come the Americans.

[Women exit. Men hide in bushes]

Americans enter, marching

General Patton: Be alert and may God be with us. The Nazis could be anywhere.

Lt. Stroop: [standing up] You have searched and you have found. Fire!

Wehrmacht Soldiers: All for one and one for all!

Jarmann: Back me, I’ll steal away to the back of the attacking force. There I’ll pick away at the American forces.

American Soldiers: Need a medic! Help!

Doc: Coming! What is it?

American Soldier: My back! Oh, my back!

Doc: I’ll tend to your wounds. Hum, a gunshot. From a German sniper rifle. In his back. Everyone look out! There are snipers!

Hank: Of course there are snipers. The rest of the Nazi infantry have poor marksmanship.

Hawk: Well said, Hank. Push on for the glory!

Tom: Ooh! A Tiger tank. Murder Inc, Fury, and Pushon follow our tank. We need to stop that Tiger tank from mowing down our boys! [explosion] Ugh! We’ve lost Pushon! Encircle the Tiger tank! [Another explosion]

Tiger Tank Crew: Augh! I’m stuck! Help!

Doc: Although I’m an American medic, my conscience has gotten the better of me. [pulls the German crew out] There you go.

Tiger Tank Crew: Danke. Americans?!!

Hawk: Hands up! Hank, keep moving. This battle is taking forever.

Act 2 Scene 3

Enter Hank, walking through the deserted streets of Cologne

Hank: This war has dragged on for too long. Too many people hath died. I’ll never admit this to my friends and senior officers, but I hate killing other people. What’s the difference between Germans, Japanese, Americans, and British. There is no big difference. We are all humans, and there shall be no war. I remember when I made my first kill near Normandy. My weapon was spent, so I took out my dagger. Out, damned spot! Who knew that Nazi private would have so much blood?

Enter Angelika

Angelika: Who art thou? And why are you here? Ah, an American, I see. Hands up!

[Angelika produces a Jugenfolk standard issue knife]

Hank: Who art thou? A woman loyal to her fatherland?

Angelika: Ja, I am.

Hank: Oh, me! What separates us? Race? What is race? Nothing important. You are the most beautiful woman I hath ever met.

Angelika: And you are the most handsome man I hath ever met.

Hank: Why don’t we sit down and talk about our differences?

Angelika: Why, of course.

Hank: Nice to meet you, I’m Hank.

Angelika: Likewise here, I’m Angelika.

Hank: Race shouldn’t restrain one. It’s not race that makes one different.

Angelika: Well, I guess it is true. But oh!

Hank: What?

Angelika: Oh Hank! Wherefore art thou Hank. Deny thy nation and refuse thy general, and stop being an American. Or confess thy most sincerest love and I will no longer be a Nazi. ‘This but they race this is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not an American. What’s American? It is nor hand nor foot nor arm nor face nor any other part belonging to a man. O be some other race! Hank, doff thy nationality, and for thy race, take all of me.

Hank: From now on, just call me love, and I shalt be redeemed. Are you going to leave me unsatisfied and not tell me we can marry? Oh Angelika, you art my life.

Angelika: Oh Hank! It is too sudden like the lightning. Too unadvised. But dear Hank, I’ll tell you this. If your love is sincere, then I shall send you word through my sister. If you are sincere, we shall get married in secret tomorrow. But adieu, love, I must go. The German intelligence in this city calls me. I must go.

Hank: Wait, dear -

Angelika: Dear, I don’t want you to get captured. If the Nazis find you here, they may shoot you.

Hank: I don’t care what they do to me as long as I get a last kiss from you.

Angelika: [kisses Hank] Dear- I’ll see you tomorrow. And since it is still early today, I shall send you my sister. Adieu

Hank: Adieu! [to himself] Oh, what great news. I must hurry back to camp.

Act 2 Scene 4

Cologne. Enter Doc, General Patton, Lt. Chester, and Colonel Harold with a German Soldier Tied Up

Doc: Who’s this?

General Patton: A Nazi. Kill him.

Doc: Me? B-but I’m a medic. My conscience! It’s clean, don’t make me do this!

Chester: Do what the general says.

Colonel Harold: Or there will be consequences.

Doc: No, really! I can’t! Don’t make me. No!

Wehrmacht Soldier: Please, Please! My wife and children are at home. They need me! I’m only 19! I’m supposed to have a long life ahead of me! Please! Please!

General Patton: You fought for the wrong side, and now you shall pay. Silence him!

Lieutenant Chester gags the soldier.

Wehrmacht Soldier: Mmmff!

Colonel Harold: Kill him!

Lt. Chester: Listen to your commanding officers.

Doc: I can’t

General Patton: Are you going to get me killed, boy? Your life or his?

Doc: Mine! Just kill me! I can’t kill him! He is defenseless.

General Patton: I won’t have a coward in my army.

Colonel Harold wrenches Doc’s arm out and makes him kill the soldier.

Lt. Chester: I’m sorry, chap. I know how you feel. But you have to kill the enemy or you won’t survive.

[Exeunt] 

Act 3 Scene 1

Hank: Your sister hath delivered the message, and I hath come to confess and marry you.

Angelika: Oh, great joys! I was looking forward to this day.

Hank: Same here, my love.

Angelika: I swear by the sun’s light to love you everyday, just as the smiling sun casteth its sweet light everyday. My love will be just as constant as the sun.

Hank: I swear by the moon-

Angelika: Don’t swear by the moon. It changes phases too often.

Hank: Alright. I swear by all the water on the earth that I will remain loyal to thee. Each drop of water on the Earth represents my sincere love for you. Here comes your sister. [Helena enters] Good Helena, thank you for bringing that message of good joy to me yesterday eve’ning.

Helena: Good day to you sir. [aside to Angelika] What a foolish choice of man you’ve made! He’s American, and I can tell that he’s not the equal of Hans whom you are promised to.

Angelika: [to Helena] Hans is disgusting and vulgar. This youth of 19 years of age, same as Hans, is so much better.

Helena: Has love become blind? I’m a Nazi and your brother is a Nazi. Now after so many loyal years to the Fuhrer, you suddenly change. I had advised you to pick Hans.

[Helena exits]

Angelika: Oh, don’t you mind my sister. She’s still disgruntled that I picked you over my brother Jarmann’s friend Hans.

Hank: Who?

Angelika: Don’t worry. Now love, let’s take a stroll in the gardens now. 

Act 3 Scene 2

Enter Doc and Hawk

Hawk: Now I bet you, those Germans have retreated.

Doc: How can you guess? There are still pockets of resistance in this city! We must be alert.

Hawk: Doc, sometimes it seems you are a little too careful. You must sometimes be brave and courageous, even when it comes to being a medic.

Doc: Of course I’m courageous! Who ever said I’m not?

Hawk: Well Doc, we heard about what happened last night…

Doc: I won’t kill defenseless Germans.

Hawk: Oh right. Here comes Hank.

Enter Hank

Doc: How now, Hank. Why so happy?

Hank: Oh, just for my own reasons.

Hawk: Oooooh, Hank! What did you do?

Hank: I think you guessed it.

Hawk: I thought y- [gunshot]

Hank: Quick, Doc! Let’s find cover and treat his wounds.

Hawk: [weakly] Doc! Help me. Owwww, that hurts. My stomach!

Doc: C’mon, stand up! We need to get you to an aid post. I’m not a surgeon, but a surgeon will be able to help.

[Tries to help Hawk stand up]

Hawk: Ow! Momma! Just put me down. What happened?

Hank: You were shot.

Hawk: Am I dying?

Doc: I-I think so.

Hawk: Will you guys write to my mom for me?

Hank and Doc: Yes we will. As you said, we’re like brothers right?

Hawk: That’s true. Goodbye, my friends. [He breathes out and dies]

Doc: The brave John “Hawk” McGraw is dead.

[Leaves crunching]

Hank: Listen! And hide!

[They hide]

Jarmann: Woah, that was a good kill. Bullseye!

Hank: Angelika, my love for you hath softened my soul. May I return all of this peace and love and replace it with anger. That man killed my friend so I shall avenge my friend’s death. May fate and strength be on my side!

Hank leaps out of the bush

Hank: You bastard! [He shoots, Jarmann dies] Who is this? Jarmann? Oh, no, no, no!

[to himself] I can’t believe I have killed the brother of my new wife. How will I ever get her to love me again! It is impossible. I just can’t believe it!

Doc: C’mon Hank, let’s get back to camp.

[Exeunt]

Act 3 Scene 3

Enter Angelika

Angelika: Oh fly, oh me! This war must end. What if my dear husband will die in the war. O, better to look at the bright side of this rather to muse over what I cannot control. So fly, my spirit. Please me! Helena, is there any news?

Helena enters, red-eyed.

Helena: All is well and nothing can go wrong.

Angelika: Sister! Tell me why you sniffle softly and your eyes are all red.

Helena: Oh, woe! I saw his corpse.

Angelika: Oh no! My husband?

Helena: I saw his gunshot wound embedded in the middle of his forehead.

Angelika: My husband? Oh woe me!

Helena: No! Jarmann, your brother.

Angelika: Are Jarmann and Hank both dead? My dear brother and dearer husband? What is the point of life when those two don’t live?

Helena: Jarmann sniped and killed one of Hank’s friends, and out of rage, Hank killed Jarmann.

Angelika: Lamb-faced wolf! Dove-like raven! Angelic demon! Manly coward! Damned saint! Honorable villain. Just why, Hank, did you kill my brother? Oh, me! Why do I weep when I know that Jarmann would have killed Hank?

Helena: Will you not speak bad about the person who killed your brother?

Angelika: Oh, I regret criticizing him. He is my husband after all. Leave me, Helena. I need time to think.

[Exeunt] 

Act 4 Scene 1

Enter Hans and Lt. Stroop, Cologne Nazi HQ.

Lt. Stroop: In the enigma coding office, Angelika just cries and cries nonstop. She doesn’t seem happy anymore.

Hans: I’ve always wanted to marry her, but she just doesn’t seem interested in me. And plus, her brother Jarmann told me I could marry her, but now he’s dead, shot by that bastard Ami.

Lt. Stroop: If she marries you, then do you think you’ll be able to make her happy and let her return to her normal self?

Hans: Sure I can, Lieutenant! Will you marry us tomorrow?

Lt. Stroop: I’m sick of seeing that girl cry and cry and cry nonstop. I’m concerned about her, so I’ll say yes to that request.

Hans: Har har! Tomorrow she shall be my wife!

[Exeunt]

Act 4 Scene 2

The American offensive positions at Cologne.

General Patton: Good work, men! Tomorrow we will begin our final push into this city which many men have died in. Your country honors you for your bravery in this campaign to force the Nazis to surrender.

Colonel Harold: We’ve got no time to spare. Too many people have already died from this war, and we must end it now! Those German dogs just won’t give up.

Lt. Chester: Tomorrow you will be swarming the city’s inner defenses. Take all prisoners you can. At 7:00 AM tomorrow, we will begin a bombardment of the city. Be ready to invade. For glory and honor!

[Commanding officers exit]

Doc: Oh, my! But there will be so many casualties.

Enter Hank

Hank: What did the general just tell us? Is there something very important?

Doc: Yes. We will invade tomorrow at 9:00 AM.

Hank: [aside] I need to get to the city center before nine or my love may perish! [to Doc] What else?

Doc: Our officers told us to take many prisoners and the war must end.

Hank: Alright then, goodnight Doc! [aside] Yup, I really hope the war will end soon. I will depart camp at 7:00 AM tomorrow.

[Exeunt]

Act 4 Scene 3

German Garrison. Enter Lt. Stroop, Hans, Wehrmacht Soldiers, and Angelika

Wehrmacht Soldier: Sir, we’re awfully low on ammo. We have little men to counter the offensive. We have little supply left.

Lt. Stroop: This war is going badly. Tell the logistics manager that we need supplies here. And fast!

Wehrmacht Soldier: Right away, sir!

German Reconnaissance: Sir, Sir!

Lt. Stroop: What is it, Sirrah?

German Recon: The city’s west center is being attacked! Sergeant Doff needs thy help!

Lt. Stroop: Right away. Come along men.

[All exit except Angelika and Hans]

Hans: We shall get married, right here and now in thy office.

Angelika: No! Stop! Let go of me, you mangy beast!

Hans: You shall never talk to me like that!

Angelika: Who’s the boss here? I’m twenty-four, and you’re only nineteen. And plus, I already have a lover.

Hans: You--Quiet!

Outside. Enter Hank.

Hank: Angelika! Where are you! [Woman screaming and pleading] That sounds like Angelika! And it’s coming from that office! [Hank throws open the door to find Hans in his underwear but Angelika is still unscathed] What are you doing in your underwear to my babe? Get off! [He pushes Hans to the ground]

Hans: No one tells me what to do - Just leave us alone, bastard American!

Hank: My gun tells you what to do! [He shoots] Come on Angelika, flee with me to the American camp.

Angelika: Ok, just give me a few moments. [She goes into the office and takes out some belongings] Let’s go.

Hank: [Gasps] Angelika! Look out! Run! Duck!

A shell flies straight at them and explodes into the office.

Angelika: No big deal, dear, let’s get out of here. [Eyes widen in horror] Hank! Run for your life! Go, Go, Go! I’ll be fine!

The office building is reduced to a heap of rubble, Hank runs.

Hank: No, No! Dear! Angelika! Angelika! The lady angel’s dead! Oh no! Please let this be a dream! [Sobbing] No, No! I can’t live without - Ouch! Ow! What was that! [Voice fades. A Nazi stands above him snickering. He was hit by a tranquilizer gunshot]

Epilogue

Rheinberg Camp. Hank wakes up.

German Officer: Welcome to Rheinberg Camp. It’s a pleasure to have you here. I have your new POW clothes over there. You can keep your underwear on. You will also notice that you are gagged and tightly trussed up. We can set you free of your bonds, but you must build us flying bombs. Are you for it?

Hank: Mmmf!

German Officer: What did you say, boy?

Hank: MMMFFF!

German Officer: Speak, boy!

Hank: Mfff!

German Officer: Right, you can’t.

[Takes off the gag]

Hank: What are you doing to me? Let me go!

German Officer: We can let you go, but you must toil much in the labor camp.

Hank: Fine

[The officer unties him, but doesn’t give him shirts or pants]

German Officer: It’s hot enough outside. Go! Find your assembly line!

[Exeunt]

Ending

Hank would return, bruised and battered after the war to America, but he would never forget his fellows in his company. He would never forget all the sweat, tears, and bloodshed of the war. But most of all, he always remembered his sweet Angelika.