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Be Patient

A Story

by Josip Novakovich
Year: 1952

Place: Daruvar, Socialist Republic of Croatia, Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia


Doctor Maric held up the injection with a thin needle, which gleamed in the beam of the morning sun; he held it up as though aiming for the sky and said, This is a wonderful thing. It won’t hurt at all, and it will prevent your children from getting the measles.

They stick a needle into you? asked Lyerka. I’m scared of needles.

It won’t hurt at all, Nenad, her father, replied.

How do you know?

I’ve had lots of those when I was sick.

A boy in front of them cried.

So why is he crying?

From fear, not pain, explained the doctor.

I won’t cry, she said.

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