December 1942, by Len Nourse

We three little boys, age 7, 5 and 3 were roguishly alone at the fun-fare on the Durban beach-front, South Africa, with Mom sick in bed. We were somewhat startled by a screeching siren and lights out followed by shouts of get down there’s a German sub at harbor entrance as depth charges made rumbling noises out to sea. In the chaos Age 7 disappeared into the darkness leaving Age 3 and me alone. We held hands and wandered in the direction we thought right, not scared, but an adventure. We were farmers kids and didn’t know what real war was; only that in stories.