Grandfather’s Thirteenth Letter

 

As a child, I recall reading Grandfather’s account of his first Alpine caper with a feeling of disappointment. I did not quite understand why I felt so at the time, having enjoyed all his letters up to that point immensely, but I believe I now know why.

 

Grandfather spoiled his own mystery. Our two heroes and heroine were about to embark on a secret plot to save the people, but a clandestine operation is most interesting when it is kept in the shadows. 

 

Unfortunately, Grandfather wrote all about the thought and planning that went into their plot before describing the plot itself, thus ruining the surprise that should come from a good caper. I suspect he went into so much detail because he was secretly quite proud of the scheme. 

 

Thankfully, Mrs. Amsel’s account of the Birthday Party Plot (that is my name for it) knows how to keep a secret.  

 

In the end, I do not think Grandfather would feel much jealousy due to my substitution, for, as he once said, “All sides of a story are important, my dear, otherwise history becomes rather like Holland – flat.” 

 

 

Your editor,

 

 

Evelyn

 

 

 

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