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| The handwriting is clearly Korczak's, with his typical letters P, B, ż (looking like Russian z), and R – the latter resembling a 'V'. |
When reading the stories of Doctor Korczak or the former bursary students and educators from the Orphanage on Krochmalna Street, fiction and truth are often intertwined.
How can one uncover the truth within literary fiction?
Uncovering truth in literary fiction involves, in part, searching for and verifying historical facts. Fiction is a tool, but through invented scenarios, dialogues, and additional descriptions, it allows one not only to reach deeper insights but often—by moving away from a dry description of reality—enables the reader to more easily absorb the feelings and ideas of the author or the story's protagonist."
Who is the author of this story? The bursary student Arie (Lejb) Buchner or his tutor, Janusz Korczak? The handwriting is clearly Korczak's, with his typical letters P, B, ż (looking like Russian z), and R – the latter resembling a 'V'.
The first chapter, At Midnight, – a description of Krochmalna Street late at night and Doctor Goldszmit, a veteran of two wars, on his way to the Orphanage – is not fiction. Naturally, this gives the impression that the rest of the story will also be true, rather than literary fiction."
The first chapter, At Midnight, – a description of Krochmalna Street late at night and Doctor Goldszmit, a veteran of two wars, on his way to the Orphanage – is not fiction. Naturally, this gives the impression that the rest of the story will also be true, rather than literary fiction."
"The fiction, or semi-fiction, begins at the moment when a mysterious figure slips out of the courtyard of the house on Krochmalna Street and inexplicably manages to pass through the locked gate onto the street.
When Doctor Goldszmit reaches his room, he finds a 'Mysterious List' on his desk, which is also the title of the second chapter. Why was the list strange and mysterious? It was a list of court cases. Normally, a court list would contain between 40 and 100 cases of various kinds, but the one on the desk contained only five cases where children had sued themselves; one child, Rubin, had sued himself twice. Was this a joke, or had something extraordinary happened? The astonished Doctor falls asleep, thinking that the next day would bring some explanation.
'The Next Morning,' the title of the third chapter, brings further surprises for the Doctor, who went down to the classroom (meaning the recreation hall) at 7 a.m. and found the children helping to prepare the hall for the morning meal. Everything was in harmony! The dialogues between the children are full of understanding and politeness. The children also resolve previous disputes on their own, which the Doctor supports, saying:
— 'The dispute that arose between you, you have settled successfully. I am very pleased with this.'"
"The gong sounds; the children (their real names are listed) run down and line up at their usual places at the tables. Prayer. Breakfast begins. The children talk in whispers. Suddenly, a girl unexpectedly stands up and hands a note to Mrs. Stefa (Panna Stefa - Wilczyńska). The Doctor grows anxious—what does this mean?
After breakfast, the review of court cases begins. The children who sued themselves talk about their cases, resolutely explaining their reasons for bringing them to Court and expecting a harsh verdict. All the cases are trivial, and it is clear from the outset that the court will not take them up (according to the existing Code in the Orphan's Home and Our Home in Bielany*).
The mystery of the note handed to Miss Stefa during breakfast remains. The Doctor reads it and is surprised once again. It is not a complaint but, on the contrary, a polite request to make the work easier for others and to establish a new shared interest group. Increasingly agitated, the Doctor puts the note in his pocket and, sounding quite irritated, shouts, 'I know what I am doing!' and heads toward the exit. The Doctor understands that with such a radical change in the behavior of both the children and the staff, there is no longer a place for him as a pedagogue and educator. Everything he had been striving for has, in fact, been accomplished." Maybe to such an extent that he never wanted to!
"The Doctor decides to seek advice from a famous detective who lives in the Old Town. The detective is considered the king of detectives and is widely known as 'Death's Head' (Trupia Czaszka). It turns out that 'Death's Head' knows everything. He knows that Doctor G. was raising rascals who have suddenly changed; he also knows everything about every ward and educator. The Doctor's terror grows. The Doctor faints! 'Death's Head' decides to help Doctor Goldszmit. He suspects that the current situation is the result of a fever dream and hypnosis."
"The Doctor decides to seek advice from a famous detective who lives in the Old Town. The detective is considered the king of detectives and is widely known as 'Death's Head' (Trupia Czaszka). It turns out that 'Death's Head' knows everything. He knows that Doctor G. was raising rascals who have suddenly changed; he also knows everything about every ward and educator. The Doctor's terror grows. The Doctor faints! 'Death's Head' decides to help Doctor Goldszmit. He suspects that the current situation is the result of a fever dream and hypnosis."
"Just like Sherlock Holmes, 'Death’s Head' had an assistant—a 'granddaughter' who lived with him. It turned out that both 'Death’s Head' and his assistant frequently wore disguises to gather information and conduct investigations incognito, posing as various people, such as an old man, a widower with a child, or the owner of the Ikor company, all to remain unnoticed and uncover the truth sought by their client, Doctor Goldszmit. This characteristic method of work, as well as the assistance of colleagues from Paris and Rome, allowed him to gain access to the Orphan’s Home, pretending to be a scientific commission visit. Such commissions often visited Korczak’s Orphans’ Home, which is why 'Death’s Head' and his foreign associates had easy and full access to the Home and could conduct their investigation undetected. This highlights the genius and versatility of 'Death’s Head' as the King of Detectives."
"What is the truth, and how much truth is in the above fiction by Korczak? Certainly, Doctor (Director) Goldszmit, Miss Stefa, and the children—mentioned by their first and last names (to be verified with Korczakianum)—are real. The Orphan’s Home itself, playfully referred to here as the 'Home of Rascals' (Dom Andrusów), is also accurately described, from the basements to the Recreation Hall where a gong announced meals. The fact that the children attended five different schools is also a true detail.
*The first 99 articles of the Orphan’s Home Code are acquitting articles or those that state: "The Court has not considered the case."
** "Andrus" is a term used playfully toward a person (often a child) who is mischievous and defiant, yet evokes a certain likeness. Synonyms include: rascal, scamp, or little rebel.
*** "Chapeau bas!" to the curator of Korczakianum, Ms. Marta Ciesielska. This French expression, meaning "hats off" (expressing admiration), is a sign of recognition and respect. Thanks to her, I have verified many matters, in many instances correcting the "Who's Who" captions on old photographs, and now the author of the story found at GFH.
**** Jakor or Ikor: IKOR is the name of an actual chemical-pharmaceutical factory, which Janusz Korczak reportedly (according to AI) co-founded with Ludwik Eichler. The use of this name in the story demonstrates how deeply the fiction is rooted in the facts of the Doctor’s life. It might also be typical for Korczak, thus using parts of his pseudo "Ja" and "Kor".
***** Scientific commission – this accurately reflects the nature of the visitations that actually took place at the Orphans’ Home due to Korczak’s innovative pedagogical methods.
****** Mrs. Marta Ciesielska and I, we claim that the story above is the product of Dr. Goldszmit and not written by Arie Buchner.
59 persons are named in the story. Here is an improved list by Mrs. Marta Ciesielska from Korczakianum:
