One more childhood memory

Greetings all,
 
All the responses attest to the fact that children everywhere are very much alike.  Such wonderful days of freedom!!  I wonder, is it lost for the present generation or not..I fear it is. 
My childhood was during WW2--one year old when the war was declared.  We lived on a farm in the outskirt of Bordeaux.  It was the "free zone" as free as can be under ocupation.  Nethertheless, I would roam the country side, picking fruits from neighbors orchards, not coming home till dark.  Sometimes my parents were frantic if they did not see me for hours. I was the only child but very often people from the city would come with their children asking for food, if they did not have money they would offer their family jewels--it was very sad and my parents never took anything in exchange for food.  I was delighted to have playmates and quickly we took off for the country side.  We had a blast!!!
 
When school was in session, I would often eat with my cousin who lived across the street--if I did not like the 'soupe du jour" I knew that I could count on Hans to bring me the best fruit in the orchard.  He was so kind to me.  You see, Hans was a German war prisoner who was employed by my cousin.  My parents also had prisoners working on the farm and I was, of course, the princess. I did not go hungry and during those years I learned a very valuable lesson from my parents as well as German folks.  That in spite of all the turmoil and the ugliness there is always hope and kindness around the corner.
As an adult, I lived for 3 years in Germany--some of the best years in my life!!
Well folks, an aple a day will bring sunshine to your life for the rest of your life.
Cheers,
...The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel....
Horace Walpole
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