"He determines the number of the stars and calls them by each by name."
There was a girl. Who numbered the stars in the sky each night. Her name was Annemarie Johansen. Annemarie lived in Denmark, Copenhagen. She had a friend named Ellen Rosen, and a little sister Kirsti. In the story, Denmark is under the Nazi occupation. After a little while of the occupation, the Nazis start to search for Jews. But Ellen's family were Jews. And that meant they were now in danger. The resistance and the Johansen family started to help the Rosen family hide from the Nazis and flee to Sweden, the place free from the occupation.
In World War II, Hitler built up a force full of hate and vengefulness, the Nazis. They attacked many countries including Denmark. Italy and Japan also helped, creating a group called the Axis power. There were forces who fought the Axis, and these were called the Allies. After a lengthy war, the Allies brought a victorious end to the war.
In the story, Annemarie experiences difficult situations and different kinds of problems from the occupation during the war. By solving these problems, Annmarie learns the true meaning of "Bravery". At first, she asks herself a simple question. 'Will you truly be able to die protecting Ellen? Protecting the Jews and other people?' She didn't like her answer. She was not sure. She reassured herself by thinking that only soldiers, resistance leaders, or people that appear in fairy tales are asked upon their bravery, that ordinary people like herself don't need to be brave. But as time passed, she started to question herself again and again. What is bravery, and does she need to be brave. One day, her uncle asked Annemarie, "Are you brave enough, little Annemarie?" She answered, "not very". Her uncle teaches her that sometimes, not knowing the truth helps you become brave, and that Annemarie can be a brave girl.
Annemarie begins to think only about successfully accomplishing the task, and ignores the dangers and risks that lies ahead. She knew that being stupid sometimes help overcome fear. And this was what bravery truly meant. Overcoming fear.
People constantly worry about their problems. And that is what foolish people do. Does that help you? No, I don't think so.
There are many problems in our daily lives. You can't just avoid them all. You need to face them. You can't get rid of the problem. You need to overcome it. Like the name of the stars and the number of them, our destiny doesn't change. Why fear the dangers ahead of you when you can be brave? The dangers won't disappear. There are no differences. The only difference, is the way you think about the danger that will confront you. And the way you respond.
By Justin
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