A Mother's Lie
Category A: Highly Commended (2026) Monash Short Story Writing Competition
Author: Aanika Rewal
Mirror mirror on the wall, why did Margret’s mother send her away after all?
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On the bright, spring morning of May 14th, 1944, 74 children evacuated Holland for Harpenden, a small English town. Margret was one of the many children frantically pushed onto a cramped carriage packed with nothing but small, sweaty bodies. The train lacked toilets, just a singular bucket that sat neglected in the corner.
The train stopped rarely, and whenever the children had a chance to breathe fresh air, it was like the sweet taste of water on a hot, summer’s day.
Margret’s mother had demanded she stay with Aunt Kenna in Harpenden because it wasn’t safe for children in Holland anymore. The invaders had taken over the city, frequently patrolling the streets and knocking on doors.
Mother had packed Margret’s bags and rushed her out of the house one day. All Mother said was “Aunt Kenna lives in a small town called Harpenden. She’ll keep you safe, Margret. I must stay behind and look after Oma and Opa. Vaarwell, en schiet nu op!”
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When Margret arrived the next day, it was late afternoon. Mother had given strict instructions to meet Aunt Kenna at Harpenden station. And when she arrived, Margret found a tall figure waiting.
The lady had strawberry-blonde hair and looked like Mother, with the same crystal blue eyes. She grinned when she spotted Margret. “Margret, hallo! Look at how you’ve grown! Come, how are you?”
Aunt Kenna spoke in a posh way and although Margret could only speak Dutch, she could tell that her aunt’s accent was different.
Margret’s stomach fluttered anxiously. She’d have to warm up to this new place.
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A year passed and Margret stayed with Aunt Kenna. But Margret didn’t mind. She liked England.
Margret learnt how to write, read and speak some English. She wrote letters to Mother despite the lack of response. Everyday, Margret worried.
Where was Mother?
A week later, a letter arrived in the mail. Margret eagerly opened it, hopeful.
It read:
“To Margret Van Pragg,
We’re extremely sorry to say that Maria Van Pragg has tragically passed away from pneumonia.”
Margret was aghast. On the verge of tears, she closed the letter angrily. Mother couldn’t have died – she valued her health! There was something very wrong about this letter. It told lies.
When Aunt Kenna read the letter, she burst into tears. But Margret wanted the truth. “What’s the real reason Mother sent me away?”
Margret’s aunt sighed. “I’m sorry Margret. The war has become very dangerous, and the Germans are looking all over for us.”
Margret was getting impatient. “Who’s us?”
“Our family is Jewish. Mother never told you because she wanted you to live a peaceful life. She sent you away to protect you. But she couldn’t protect herself –“
Her voice cracked. That was the bitter truth. And it now weighed heavily on Margret. She wished she’d known before. Because everyone deserves to know the truth, even if it hurts.