Let’s Meet a Volunteer: Honoring Holocaust Survivors | Otto's Tales | PragerU Kids

Before we start this episode, here's a quick preview of what's coming. Otto's Tales celebrates America's amazing monuments, traditions, folk tales, and everyday community heroes. Enjoy more free videos like this for kids of all ages. Subscribe at [Music] pragerukids.com. Welcome to Autotails. My name is Shabas. It is so nice to meet you. So, I'm kind of new here. Otto and Smidge invited me to read you a story, but um I haven't really seen them anywhere. So, I'm thinking I can tell you a little bit about myself while I wait for them. I love reading great books. I love praying. I even say my prayers three times a day. I love helping and protecting people. I remember when I was just a little bit older than you, I used to volunteer at a nursing home. Otto smidge, there you guys are. Is this the book we're reading? Thanks. You know, this is an important story. It's really meaningful for my family and faith, but also important for all of us to learn about. I'm thankful to share this with you. Let's read Otto's tales. Let's meet a volunteer. Honoring Holocaust survivors. Ruff, rough, Otto. The bulldog barked. Dennis, why are you all dressed up? The bulldog's best friend wore a sleek blue jacket and tie. Are you going to a party? Smidge the fluffy kitten bounced into the room. I want to go. Dennis chuckled. No, I have a choir performance for my school. We're going to sing at the local nursing home. My teacher says it really brightens their day. Oh, Smidge was disappointed. I was hoping for something more exciting. Dennis continued, "I'm looking forward to it. We get to join the local volunteers after our performance to sit and talk with the residents. Is that part of your class assignment, too? Otto asked. No, Dennis replied. It's optional to stay after. But I want to. I love talking to people. You two should come with me. Otto and Smidge were uncertain. Won't it be boring there? Smidge questioned. And what would we talk about with them? Otto blurted. I don't think we'll have anything in common. Dennis opened the front door. Come on, you might like it. They serve snacks after the performance. Smidge perked up. Okay, I'm in. Me too, Otto agreed. Out the door they went. At the nursing home, a young man with a name tag approached them. "Hi, I'm Jeremy. I'm a volunteer here," he said with a bright smile. "You're here for the choir concert, right?" "Yes," Dennis exclaimed. "Great," Jeremy handed them visitor badges. "Please put these on and follow me." In the event room, Dennis's classmates were lining up along the wall. "See you guys after," Dennis hurried over to the line. Please take a seat," Jeremy pointed to the chairs. "Are you going to watch too?" Otto asked. "I can't." Jeremy shook his head. "After I help the residents sit down, I need to prepare meals for them. Everything's on a schedule." "Well, can't you take a break?" Smidge wondered. "Sure, but I'm here to serve as a volunteer today. It's important that I pay attention, be proactive, and help out wherever I'm needed. Right now, that's in the kitchen. Enjoy the show." Smidge's eyes lit up. Did you hear that? They have a kitchen here. Otto laughed. We're here for Dennis, remember? Just a quick snack first. Smidge was already bounding towards the door. We don't want my stomach growling during the concert, do we? Otto sighed. We better catch up to Jeremy then. The friends rounded the corner into an empty hallway. Where did Jeremy go? Smidge wondered aloud. Otto shook his head. I don't know. Maybe we followed the wrong volunteer. They all wear the same shirts. Do you think the kitchen isn't here? Smidge peeked through one of the open doors. We should get back. Otto started to worry. We don't want to get into trouble. The kitten's nose twitched. M. It smells sweet, like apples and cinnamon. Maybe we can find a tasty treat here. The two friends quietly wandered into a small room with a bed, couch, TV, and a petite elderly woman with white hair and big round glasses sitting at a table. She spotted them and smiled. "Hello," she said. "I wasn't expecting any visitors today." "I'm Otto and this is Smidge," the bulldog explained. "Sorry to bother you, but we got lost." "It's easy to get lost around here," the woman giggled. "I'm Sarah. It's nice to meet you." "Your room smells great, Sarah." Smidge exclaimed. "Thank you, Sarah" said. "It's my cinnamon tea. It always cheers me up." "Are you sad?" Otto's tail dropped. "Yes, a bit," Sarah admitted. I've been writing down memories from a very difficult time in my life. My family wants to understand what happened, but it's hard to put it into words. She paused and then leaned in. Have you ever heard of the Holocaust? I'm a survivor. The friends became very quiet. I've heard about the Holocaust, Otto replied. I think my friend Dennis studied it in history class. What is it? Smidge was curious to learn. I can take notes. Sarah's gentle voice began to speak. When World War II began in the year 1939, I was only about 11 years old. There was a powerful group in charge called the Nazis. They took control of Germany and wanted to get rid of people they didn't like, especially people who were Jewish. "Are you Jewish?" Otto asked. He remembered that Dennis's family was also Jewish. Sarah smiled. "Yes, I am. I grew up in Poland. She continued, "Back then, the Nazis took many Jewish people in my community away from our homes. They sent us to places called concentration camps where we were forced to do very hard work against our will." Smidge scribbled on her notepad. What kind of work? Well, Sarah's face wrinkled. We had to move heavy rocks across the camp, and we were only given a small bit of bread to eat one time every day. The kitten stopped writing and gasped. "That's it? You must have been so hungry." "I was," Sarah remembered. "We didn't have extra clothes or shoes, and when it was time to sleep, we were crammed into bunk beds like sardines." Otto's eyes fell. "That's terrible. Why didn't you leave?" Sarah's eyes were now tearful. No one was allowed to leave, and even if I could, I didn't know where any of my family was anymore. Smidge put her paw in Sarah's hand. So, how did you survive that horrible place? Sarah took a deep breath and sat up straight. I was small, so I was able to hide and stay away from people who wanted to hurt me. I knew that there were good people fighting against the evil that was happening. I remember when American soldiers showed up to free our camp and how happy I was. "What makes you happy now?" Otto asked. "Oh, everything." Sarah's watery eyes slowly turned to a soft smile. "All sorts of simple things make me happy. my own bed to sleep in, a piece of pie. I'm grateful for all the little things in life I get to enjoy. Smidge licked her lips. Pie makes me happy, too. Going through hard things can be difficult and scary, Sarah replied. But many times, those hard things teach us to be even more grateful for the blessings in our lives. Suddenly, the sound of music began echoing from the hallway. Sarah's face lit up. Isn't that lovely? It reminds me of when I first came to the United States. One of the first things I saw when I got off the boat in New York was a musician playing and singing on the dock. I'm so grateful to live here in America now where people can be happy and free. You're right, Otto nodded. Smidge agreed. We should never take it for granted. The music then stopped and the friends realized we missed the concert. Otto and Smidge jumped up. We need to find Dennis before he starts to worry. Thank you for sharing your story with us. They waved goodbye to Sarah and dashed out the door. Thank you for listening. Sarah's eyes twinkled. The friends leaped down the hallway and clang crashed. They collided with a volunteer and a serving tray loaded with desserts. Pieces of cake and pie launched into the air and splattered onto Jeremy, Otto, and Smidge. Jeremy shook his head and wiped cherry filling from his forehead. Are you two okay? He asked. Smidge tasted the chocolate frosting from her nose. Dennis's voice called from down the hallway. Where have you two been? You missed the entire performance. Otto scrambled to clean up the plates at mess. Smidge apologized. I'm sorry. I just wanted to look for a snack. But then we got lost and found a nice lady named Sarah who told us about her life surviving the Holocaust and how she's so grateful to be here. We were learning so much we forgot about the time. Sarah is really sweet, Jeremy added. I'm glad you could keep her company. Talking with residents is a big part of what volunteers do here everyday. Seems like you two are already naturals. Otto was encouraged. Before I came here, I was worried I wouldn't have anything in common with the people here. I was wrong. Sarah reminded us that we share a lot of things as Americans. No matter what our age, we all enjoy freedom and should treat others with kindness and respect. We should also be grateful for what we have, even the little things. Those are good lessons. Dennis was impressed. I hope you also remember to not wander off next time. Smidge's ears perked up. Hey, Jeremy, is there any more pie? I have an idea. Sitting together around the small table in Sarah's room, the new friends laughed and shared stories over fresh pieces of pie. This has been my favorite adventure yet. Otto howled. You say that every time, Otto. Smidge licked the rest of the filling from her plate. Jeremy leaned in. If you enjoyed your time here today, you should come back for our bingo party on Saturday. He pulled a colorful flyer from his pocket. Smidge's ears twitched. You guys throw parties here? Of course, Sarah interjected. Jeremy keeps me involved with all the activities. My children and grandchildren will be here, too. They'd love to meet all of you. The kitten grinned. I'd like that. Volunteering here seems fun. Jeremy nodded. I've learned that serving others brings a special kind of joy. It doesn't matter if the tasks are big or small. Using our gifts and talents to help people in a meaningful way is important. Sarah pointed to Dennis. Speaking of talent, how about one last song before you go? Dennis stood up and cleared his throat. Smidge and Otto tapped their silverware like drumsticks. And 1 2 3 rough rough. The end. You know what part I'm going to remember most? The part when Sarah talked about how happy she was when the American soldiers helped her people. Those soldiers were fighting evil. We all have the power to fight evil. No matter how old or young we are. Oh, hey guys. A thanks Otto and Smidge. Thank you for inviting me here to read. This is an important story that I'm going to remember for a long time. And thank you for watching Otto's Tales. Remember to check out our other stories, too. Keep reading, keep watching, and keep appreciating all who help others around us. Bye. Thank you for watching. You know we've got more episodes, right? Watch the whole series on our website. And parents, you can subscribe at pragerukids.com.