A Boy from Moravia
On a sunny morning in 1908, a baby boy named Oskar was born in a small town called Zwittau. This town was in a place called Moravia, which is now part of the Czech Republic.
Little Oskar lived in a big house with his mom, dad, and sister. His father owned a farm machine business, and they had enough money to live well. The Schindler family was one of the most important families in town!
“I want to be just like my father when I grow up!” young Oskar would often say, watching his dad work.
But Oskar wasn't very good at sitting still in school. He loved to play and have fun instead! He was always getting into trouble, but his bright smile usually kept him out of too much trouble.
Growing Up Different
As Oskar grew bigger, he became known for being very friendly. He could talk to anyone! He made friends with both German-speaking and Czech-speaking kids in his town. This was special because most people only stayed with their own group.
When Oskar became a teenager, he tried many different jobs. He sold farm machines like his father. He also tried selling other things. Some worked well, and some didn't, but Oskar never gave up!
The Big Change
In the 1930s, things started to change in Europe. A group called the Nazis was getting stronger. Many people joined them because they thought it would help their business. Oskar was one of these people.
But Oskar wasn't like most people who joined the Nazis. He didn't believe in their mean ideas. He just wanted to make money and be successful.
Young Oskar loved nice clothes, fancy parties, and making new friends. He would often say:
“Life is meant to be enjoyed! Why not make the most of every day?”
No one knew it then, but this friendly, fun-loving businessman would soon become something much more important: a real-life hero who would save many people's lives.
Oskar wasn't perfect. He made mistakes and sometimes did things that weren't right. But something amazing was about to happen that would change him forever.
• He was born in a wealthy family
• He loved making friends with everyone
• He could speak different languages
• He wasn’t very good in school
• He liked to have fun and enjoy life
As the dark clouds of war began to gather over Europe, nobody – not even Oskar himself – could have guessed how this party-loving businessman would become one of the greatest heroes of his time. His story was just beginning, and the biggest challenges were still ahead.
Each night, as young Oskar went to sleep in his comfortable bed in Zwittau, he dreamed of becoming rich and successful. But life had much bigger plans for him – plans that would make him much more than just a wealthy man.
The Factory Years Begin
The year was 1939, and big changes were happening in Poland. German soldiers had taken over the city of Krakow. Many people were scared, but Oskar Schindler saw a chance to make money.
Oskar found an empty factory building. It used to make pots and pans. He thought, “The army needs dishes and cooking pots. I can help make them!”
“This factory will make me rich!” Oskar told his friends. But he didn’t know that it would make him something much better – a hero.
Meeting His Workers
Oskar needed people to work in his factory. He hired Jewish workers because they needed jobs. At first, he only thought about making money. But something special started to happen.
One day, Oskar met a very smart man named Itzhak Stern. Stern helped Oskar run the factory. They became good friends.
Stern told Oskar: “These workers are not just workers. They are people with families. They need help.”
Changes in the City
Bad things were happening in Krakow. The Nazi soldiers were being mean to Jewish people. They had to wear special stars on their clothes. They couldn’t go to many places.
• Jewish people had to live in special areas
• They couldn’t work in most places
• Many stores and homes were taken away
• People were scared every day
But in Oskar’s factory, things were different. He made sure his workers had enough food. He was nice to them. When soldiers came to check, he would say, “These workers are very important for making things for the army!”
A New Understanding
Oskar started to see how wrong the Nazis were. He watched as families were split up. He saw people being hurt. It made him very sad.
“These are good people,” Oskar thought. “They don’t deserve to be treated this way.”
Even though he was part of the Nazi Party, Oskar began to secretly help his workers. He would give them extra food. He would make up stories to keep them safe.
His factory became more than just a place to work. It became a safe place.
Making Tough Choices
Some people told Oskar he was crazy. “Why do you help them?” they asked. “You could make more money with different workers.”
But Oskar didn’t listen. He remembered what his friend Stern had said about helping people. He started using his money to protect more workers.
At night, Oskar would think about all the changes in his life. He wasn’t just a businessman anymore. He was becoming someone who fought against evil in his own special way.
The factory had changed him. Now he had to make a big decision: Would he risk everything to help save more people? The answer would change many lives forever.
A Heart Transformed
One cold morning in 1942, Oskar Schindler stood at his factory window. He watched as Nazi soldiers were being mean to people in the streets. His heart felt heavy.
What Oskar Saw
From his office window, Oskar could see the Krakow Ghetto. It was a sad place where Jewish people had to live. The walls were high, and soldiers guarded the gates.
“I can’t just watch this happen,” Oskar whispered to himself. “I must do something to help.”
He saw children crying as they were taken from their parents. He saw old people who couldn’t carry their heavy bags. It made him very upset.
A Secret Plan
Oskar started making friends with Nazi officers. He would give them nice gifts like fancy watches and good food. This was his clever trick!
“Let me keep my workers,” he would tell them. “They make the best pots and pans for the army!”
• Gave them extra food
• Made sure they had warm clothes
• Told Nazi officers they were needed
• Kept families together
Brave Choices
One day, a Nazi officer came to take some workers away. Oskar knew he had to be brave. He said, “These are my best workers! I need them all!”
The officer was angry, but Oskar didn’t give up. He gave the officer his gold watch and some money. The officer left, and the workers were safe. ⌚
“You saved our lives,” one worker told Oskar. “We will never forget your kindness.”
A Different Kind of Boss
Oskar’s factory became special. When workers were sick, he got them medicine. When they were hungry, he got them food. He spent all his money helping them.
His workers weren’t just workers anymore – they were like family.
Dangerous Times
Sometimes, Oskar had to be very clever. He would tell stories to trick the Nazi officers. He would say his workers were making important things for the army.
One time, a mean officer came to check the factory. Oskar took him to lunch and talked about hunting. The officer forgot all about checking the workers! ️
A New Mission
Oskar started thinking about how to save more people. He knew there were many others who needed help. His friend Stern helped him make plans.
“We must be careful,” Stern said. “But we must also be brave.”
Oskar nodded. He wasn’t the same person who had come to Krakow looking for money. Now he had a bigger job to do – saving as many lives as he could. ⭐
As night fell over the factory, Oskar made a promise to himself. He would use all his money, all his clever tricks, and all his bravery to protect his workers. The real test of his courage was just beginning.
A List That Saved Lives
The year was 1944. Oskar sat at his desk late one night. His hands shook as he held a special piece of paper. This wasn’t just any list – it was a list that would save lives.
Making The List
Oskar and his friend Itzhak Stern worked all night. They wrote down names of workers and their families. Every name meant one more person who could be saved. ✍️
“Each name is a life,” Stern told Oskar. “Each life is a whole world.”
They needed money to save people. Lots of money! Oskar used all his savings. He even sold his wife’s jewelry.
Clever Tricks
Oskar had to be very smart. When Nazi officers came, he would say, “These workers make special things for the army. I need them all!”
He would give the officers gifts like:
• Good food
• Special drinks
• Money
Moving The Factory
Bad things were happening in Krakow. Oskar knew his workers weren’t safe there anymore. He had a brave idea – move the whole factory!
It was like moving a whole town! They packed up machines, tools, and most importantly, all the workers and their families.
“We’re going to a safer place,” Oskar told everyone. “Stay together and be brave.”
The New Factory
The new factory was in Czechoslovakia. It was far from the worst danger. Oskar made sure everyone had:
A place to sleep
Food to eat
Warm clothes
Medicine when sick
Close Calls
Sometimes Nazi officers would come to check the factory. Oskar would tell funny stories and give them presents. This made them forget about checking too closely.
The Big Number
The list grew longer and longer. By the end, Oskar had saved more than 1,200 people! That’s like saving everyone in a small town.
Every person on the list had a family. Every family had hopes and dreams. Oskar protected all of them.
At night, Oskar would look at his factory. He could hear children laughing and families talking. It made him happy to know they were safe.
Each day brought new challenges. But Oskar kept working hard to protect his workers. He knew his list was more than just names on paper – it was hope for the future.
The Final Days of War
The winter of 1945 was very cold. Oskar’s factory kept running, but scary times were coming. The war was getting closer to ending. ️
Keeping Everyone Safe
Every morning, Oskar would walk through his factory. He made sure everyone had warm clothes and good food. The workers smiled when they saw him coming.
“Good morning, Herr Schindler!” they would say. “Thank you for keeping us safe!”
But outside the factory walls, bad things were still happening. Nazi soldiers were getting angry because they were losing the war.
Smart Tricks
Oskar had to be very clever. When mean officers came to the factory, he would say:
“My workers are making special things for the army! We can’t stop working!”
He gave the officers nice presents so they would leave his workers alone.
Close Calls
One day, some Nazi soldiers tried to take Oskar’s workers away. Oskar stayed up all night talking to important people. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt his workers!
“These are MY workers,” Oskar told them. “They stay with me!”
Building Hope
Oskar made sure everyone felt safe:
He built special hiding places
He got extra food when times were hard
He found doctors when people got sick
He kept good records to protect everyone
Special Friends
Many workers became Oskar’s good friends. They helped him run the factory and keep everyone safe. One friend named Stern always said:
Scary Moments
Sometimes, Nazi soldiers would come at night. Everyone would hide very quietly. Oskar would talk to the soldiers and make them go away.
One time, Oskar even had to go to jail! But his friends helped him get out. He came right back to protect his workers.
Getting Ready for Freedom
Oskar could tell the war was almost over. He started planning for what would happen next. He wanted all his workers to be safe when peace came. ️
Every night, Oskar would check on all his workers. He made sure families stayed together. He kept children happy with little treats.
The workers called Oskar their angel. He didn’t feel like an angel – he just knew he had to help. That’s what good people do.
Spring was coming. With it came hope for better days. Oskar kept watching and waiting, keeping his big factory family safe until the war would end.
A Hero’s Legacy
The war finally ended in 1945! All of Oskar’s brave work paid off. He had saved more than 1,200 people!
The Happy Day
When the Russian army came, everyone cheered! The workers could finally be free. They hugged Oskar and cried happy tears.
“You gave us life!” they told him. “We will never forget you!”
A Special Gift
The workers gave Oskar a special ring. They made it from gold teeth fillings – it was all they had. On it, they wrote some special words:
After the War
Oskar didn’t have any money left. He had spent it all saving people. But his workers helped him too! They gave him food and helped him find new places to live. ❤️
People Remember
Special things happened to remember Oskar’s bravery:
• Israel made him an honorary citizen
• They planted trees in his name
• Movies and books told his story
• Museums show pictures of his good deeds
• Schools teach children about his courage
The Best Thank You
Today, there are more than 7,000 people alive because Oskar saved their grandmas and grandpas! They call themselves “Schindlerjuden” – Schindler’s Jews.
Every year, people visit Oskar’s grave in Jerusalem. They put little stones on it to say “thank you.”
What We Learned
Oskar showed us that one person can make a big difference. He started as a regular businessman but became a real-life hero!
“Sometimes we have to be brave and help others, even when it’s hard.”
A Forever Hero
Oskar died in 1974. He didn’t die rich with money, but he was rich with love. Hundreds of people came to say goodbye.
The Story Lives On
Oskar’s story teaches us important things:
Being kind is more important than being rich
♂️ Anyone can become a hero
We should help others when they need it
One person can change many lives
Today, when people hear the name Oskar Schindler, they think of hope and courage. He shows us that in dark times, good people can make the world better.
His factory in Poland is now a museum. People from all over the world visit to learn about the brave man who saved so many lives.
Oskar Schindler wasn’t perfect, but he chose to do what was right. That’s what made him a true hero. His story will inspire people forever. ⭐