Short Stories – Volume #2

Short Story #1 – Knifes, Chickens and Bomb Shelters –A “Little” about Switzerland (as per the internet)

• Swiss army knives are red so they can be seen in the snow.
• Switzerland was founded in 1291 by the communities Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden at a place called the Rutli with the following prayer

“We shall be a single People of brethren,
never to part in danger nor distress.
We shall be free, just as our fathers were,
and rather die than live in slavery.
We shall trust in the one highest
God and never be afraid of human power”

• In 1471, in Basel, Switzerland, a chicken laid a brightly colored egg and was put on trial for being “a devil in disguise.” After being found guilty, the chicken was burned at the stake.
• Switzerland size – 41,285 square km (15,940 square miles, 7.9 million people); 60% is covered by the Alps; the lowest point is 193 meters (633 ft) above sea level; the highest point is 4,634 meters (15,203 feet) above sea level (they are 43 miles apart)

Kentucky – 104,659 km² (4.4 million people);

Indiana – 94,321 km² (6.6 million people);

Washington – 184,827 km² (6.9 million people);

British Columbia – 994,735 km² (4.4 million people)

• There are palm trees in Switzerland (Just to clarify, there are no palm trees in Les Ponts de Martels!!!!!)
• The first bond girl was Swiss
• Switzerland has 1,500 plus lakes (you are never more than 14 miles from a lake)
• The average Swiss eats 23lbs of chocolate per year compared to the 11.7lbs consumed by Americans (we are happy to report that although we are struggling with the language, we are succeeding in the consumption of chocolate!!!)
• Direct Democracy: Referendum and Initiative.  Referendums are common in Switzerland.  They occur if not yearly, multiple times a year.  Recent referendum questions include:

(passed) 2013 – executive pay (the purpose of this was to limit risk taking by corporate managers, key components include: — ban advance & severance packages — ban corporate proxy & the representation of shareholders by depository banks)

(failed) 2012 – six weeks of vacation for every one

(passed) 2012 – an end to limitless construction of second homes (you are now only allowed to own one home . . . no summer / winter homes)

(failed) 2011 – Guns can no longer be kept at home, but must be stored at the arsenal (recognizing that all Swiss males are required to do military service and all have guns at home)

• Switzerland’s rail system extends some 3,100 miles (the Swiss rank only second behind Japan in relying on trains)
• First Successful documented c-section, the first recorded incidence of a women surviving a Caesarean section was in 1580’s in Switzerland: a pig gelder is supposed to have performed the operation on his wife after a prolonged labour (Today they call us doctors) 
• Every citizen is required by law to own a bomb shelter or have access to one

Short Story #2 – Who am I?

There are things that happen in life that leave an impact. Some are major things and some are minor things.  10 years ago I came to Switzerland, for a short period of time, because I happened to be in the area (I was studying French in France).  I remember still to this day, working in Zug, calling dad and asking why he left Switzerland, wishing he had not.  He said his family, 13 brothers and sisters, were poor, and he and four brothers left for Canada to make a new start.  More importantly, I remember two distinct feelings that are coming back to me as I find myself back in Switzerland.  The first is a real understanding of who my parents are and were.  The home they created in Boston Bar was and is Swiss from their mindset, to how they raised us, to the physical home they built and maintained.  The second is an identity or should I say lack of.  Although born in the US and raised in Canada, I have always felt different.  Here in Switzerland, especially when talking to a Swiss-German person, I feel a connection, the Swiss in me wants to come out but does not know how as I was not raised in this culture. 

So what am I?  I am an Immigrant, not just to Switzerland, but also to Canada and to America (My wife says I have Swiss blood, think I am Canadian, but am actually American).  So what is my identity?  Interesting enough, I have come to find this not in a country or culture but at church.  At church I fellowship with others through personal stories and struggles holding God’s word as the example.  I am a Christian.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law” Galatians 5:22.

Short Story #3 – Baby for Sale

I do not understand it, Noah smiles and waves at a lot of people.  People say he is a friendly, easy baby.  They love holding him.  And yet, when I tell them they can take him home for a mere 1 CHF ($1.10 US dollars) nobody has. 

God Bless