Fifteen-year-old Hans Richter travels far from home to find work in the locks of a river. His dying father teaches him that there is a Raft which will support him in the deepest waters and amid the fiercest storms. In his last moments, his father gasps, “The raft in its double meaning has been my best friend… Hold on to the Savior…”. When Hans becomes the target for mischief among jealous peers, he must remember to “stick to the raft”.

Theme: Peer presure; fighting evil with good; work ethic

Historical Significance: Fir Mountains of Bavaria and Kosen (near Naumburg , Germany )

Interesting Facts: A special day in Naumburg is the cherry festival. It has its origins in the following story: Because of Bishop Gerhard’s involvement in the burning of Bohemian reformer John Huss, the Hussite general Andreas Prokob proclaimed that July 28th, 1432, would be the last day on earth for the citizens of Naumburg. The doomed citizens sent all children between 7 and 14 years of age, clad in white shrouds, to the enemy camp to ask to be spared. Prokob showed mercy, gave them cherries, and withdrew his troops from Naumburg. Since then, the citizens of Naumburg have commemorated the saving of their town by celebrating the annual “cherry festival”.

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