Chapter 6 – Comenius in Germany text and pictures by Carlotta Petersen and Jasmin Anklam
It was very cloudy so Comenius couldn‘t see much. He asked himself: “Maybe I do have arrived Germany yet?” So he flew deeper, but be still couldn’t see something. Suddenly he hit something hard. The dragon flew a little deeper and the clouds thinned. Comenius saw a silver shiny bowl on a high mast. “What a beautiful view”, he thought and he sat down on the ball and looked at many houses around. He realized, just in that moment that he landed on the giant tower. He saw this tower in a book a long time ago. He remembered that the tower was the TV-tower in Berlin. “That means that I’m in Berlin right now. It’s so cool, because I wished to get here so many times before”, thought Comenius.
He remembered that the TV-tower of Berlin is 368 meters high and it’s situated in the middle of the German capital. Comenius didn’t want to stay on the TV-tower the whole day, so he started to get to the Brandenburg Gate. He landed on one of the four horses on the top. The people on the square in front of the gate were very scared and ran screaming apart. Only a boy stopped and called out to Comenius
that he should come down to him. The dragon started to fly and stopped right in front of the little boy. "My name is Ben and I’m visiting my grandma here in Berlin. Normally I live in Hagenow, nearby Schwerin in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.", introduced the boy himself. The two chatted quite excited. They also mentioned the history of Germany. They have noticed that the Brandenburg Gate still stood in the border area between the former East and West Germany 25 years ago. People weren’t allowed to approach the gate even as it is possible today. Ben and Comenius could not imagine what it was like. But all people are glad and happy that this wall isn’t there anymore. As Ben did not know much about Berlin, he suggested Comenius to travel with him to Schwerin, the state capital of Mecklenburg - Vorpommern. Comenius liked Ben and had a great desire to fly in the north of Germany. In the afternoon, Ben went with his grandmother by train to Schwerin and Comenius had made himself comfortable on the train. “At last I can travel relaxed again”, he thought. It only took them 2 hours to get to Schwerin. Comenius had to pay attention, because he didn’t knew where Ben and his grandma wanted to leave the train. He couldn‘t miss them. His new friend wanted to show him a lot. Because it was already late, they went to Hagenow by car. Ben took Comenius home. As his mother opened the front door, she was terrified when she saw the dragon. But Ben was able to reassure quickly. After having dinner they found a nice place for Comenius to sleep. On the next day, Ben and Comenius flew to Schwerin. They landed on a large square. There were beautiful large homes that Comenius was interested in. One of the houses they visited was the theatre. Ben quickly bought two tickets and they went into the auditorium to take their seats. When they entered the hall, Comenius was overwhelmed. The hall was very magnificently. The visitors, specially the children, laughed at Comenius. They thought, that he took part in the theatre play and he was a dressed up actor. Comenius found the idea funny, but he explained to everybody who he was and why he was here. Then everyone calmed down and the play "The Snow Queen" began. Comenius and Ben were enthusiastic. They absolutely loved the play. When they were back on the court - it's called "Alter Garten" - Comenius could only marvel again. He looked at the Castle. He already knew some castles, but this was the most beautiful he ever saw. The gold on the top was shining in the sun. Ben reassured him. He said: „First we are going to eat something and then we will return here.” They walked through the city. The people they encountered were unsure. They went out of their way. Comenius was a little sad because all thought that he is an evil dragon. Just a few realized that he was very nice and kind.
„Did that also happen to you in the other countries like Spain, Poland, France, Cyprus and Great Britain?”, Ben asked. "Yes, sometimes", answered Comenius. "This is just difficult, because there are fairytales where dragons are very frightened to the readers.” Ben said: „But you are a wonderful example for a lovely, wonderful and very kind dragon. Don’t be sad, I do like you. You are a wonderful friend.” These words made Comenius very happy and he went -still hungry- together with Ben to a restaurant. They ordered a sausage with potatoes and sauerkraut for Comenius, because he didn’t had the menu before. Ben ate a pea stew with sausages. After finishing their meal, Comenius wanted to get back to the castle as soon as possible. He flew with Ben on his back around. From above everything looked beautiful. From above they could see whole Schwerin and realised that Schwerin has many lakes and the castle is surrounded by water. Ben explained Comenius that there is no king or prince living in the castle.
“It is partly a museum and a church is also in the castle. But the main part of the castle is occupied by the parliament of Mecklenburg - Vorpommern. Here all the members of the parliament advise and make decisions about everything that happens in our region.� Comenius listened interested. They visited the museum and had a look to the parliament. Comenius was very impressed.
Later in the afternoon Ben invited to the Schwerin Zoo. That was very funny. They could see all animals. They had to wait a long time at the prairie dogs until they crawled out of their burrows. In the hall of South America they watched the sloth with his children climbing very slowly. Later on Ben and his new friend Comenius had some ice-cream and talked about the experiences they had made. Both forgot the time. Suddenly Ben's mobil phone rang. His mother asked him where he was. As Ben looked at the clock and was shocked. “It is already late! I have to go home, because tomorrow I have to go to school. Do you want to come with me tomorrow?" Comenius answered: „If everybody is okay with the idea, I will?" “Do not care! They are very nice and curious to meet you”, Ben replied. "Okay, than let’s go home.” Comenius said. They started to return to Ben’s house. Ben took a seat on Comenius back and so they arrived in Hagenow very quick. After they had dinner, they were so tired that they fell asleep very soon. The next morning the friends had to get up very early.
At 7:55am Ben and Comenius landed on the school ground. All children ran up to them and greeted Comenius. He was so glad that the children were not afraid of him. They stroked and tickled him. All the children presented Comenius their school building. They showed him everything and he felt very comfortable. When they arrived at the school office, they were greeted by the head teacher. She asked Ben and his girlfriend Jasmine to show Hagenow to Comenius. Full of joy, they showed him the Town Hall, Town Hall Square with the market women, the Synagogue, the museum, the church and the pretty little houses. Comenius was thrilled, but he was also sad. He looked at the clock and said: “You lovely friends, unfortunately I have to leave you now. I have traveled through many countries. There was so much to see. I think I need to write a travel diary. Perhaps everybody I have met can help me to with it. I'll get back to you again, I promise you.” The children were glad because that was not a goodbye forever. "We will also write!” And so Comenius flew back towards home with lots of impressions and beautiful memories of great people. And if he is not dead, he still lives today…