大象传媒

One morning, as we resumed our march between prison camps, I noticed that we had acquired a new companion. It was a large cow, being led on a rope by one of the German guards. I walked beside it most of the day, and for want of anything better, I called it "Daisy".

Like us, it seemed to enjoy the illusion of freedom - after all, we were in the open air and in the sunshine. We did not have a rope round our neck, but we were all being led in the same direction. Essentially, even though it had four legs, it was as much a prisoner of war as the rest of us.

From time to time, I patted Daisy on the head and gave her words of encouragement as the long column of prisoners dragged their weary way to some unknown destination. When night fell, the march would stop, and we would sleep in a barn or in the fields.

The next day, Daisy and I had only a short journey to make, as, early in the afternoon, we halted outside a village. I noticed that the German guard continued in the direction of the village, and still leading Daisy by a rope, disappeared from sight.

I liked to think that Daisy would discover a lush meadow of green grass, where it would await the end of the war with its companions. But, I feared a grimmer scenario. The latter conjecture was confirmed, when late that evening we received an issue of fresh meat. Can a cow make the Supreme Sacrifice? Can a cow lay down its life for its friends?

It was hardly a time, amongst the chaos, the confusion and the turmoil of the last few weeks of Hitler's Germany, to have a debate or discussion on such deep philosophical questions. All that I knew was I had had a very nourishing meal. After all, at this stage, the name of the game was SURVIVAL.

From time to time, nowadays, I walk in the country, and, occasionally encounter a herd of cows lying and lolling in the sunshine. Suddenly, a great head is raised, and two large limpid eyes are focussed on me. Accusingly - or just curiosity?

Nevertheless, as I pass by, a tremor of feeling tingles through my body - can it be GUILT.

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