Some rare gems take time to age, to be uncovered, and to be offered to the world. In fact, some of the most precious possessions are those which are passed down to us. And when they are so special that people from all kinds of different places find meaning in them too, it reveals a shared experience in all of us: Our stories are worth sharing. When those who came before us weren’t able to pass on their story, we have an opportunity to do it for them.
Great stories are worth sharing!
Well, this one may be a great story in itself – that a World War II prisoner of war recorded his experience in the form of a children’s book. But there is another element that makes this story special. It took 75 years for this story to be seen by the world.
At the time of it’s creation, Arthur Stiby was Royal Artillery Major during World War II in the year 1942. During that time, he was captured as a prisoner by Japanese forces. As a way of recovering from the horrific conditions he found there, he later penned some plays and even made some sketches.
Arthur’s works of art kept others’ spirits alive.
But it wasn’t until after his return to Britain that Arthur crafted what is now known as a family gem. Using his inspiration of a brave dog on a wartime mission, Arthur told the story written directly for his son, Robert. Arthur sent the small manuscripts to Robert at boarding school, but somehow, they never reached him.
It wasn’t until 75 years later that Robert finally saw them.
“My father died long ago, but recently I have had time to sort out a lot of family stuff. There in a dusty old box, I found this tattered, dog-eared copy of the original, but incomplete, manuscript. I was overjoyed. Although I am no longer eight—I am now in my eighties—reading it again was such fun that I decided to publish it.”
Robert Stiby discovered there was something there for him the whole time!
The first publication came as a limited edition and according to Robert’s wish, wanted to proceeds to be donated to the Salisbury Hospice. The Salisbury Hospice tweeted their excitement:
“A wonderful story… Local man Robert Stiby OBE uncovers the magic of his father’s POW stories written for him as a child. Now Maj Arthur Stiby’s story of ‘The Bravest Little Dog In The War’ can be told and is helping raise funds for our hospice.”
A wonderful story…
Local man Robert Stiby OBE uncovers the magic of his father's POW stories written for him as a child.
Now Maj Arthur Stiby's story of 'The Bravest Little Dog In The War' can be told and is helping raise funds for our hospice.More – https://t.co/w2OJ6I39r2 pic.twitter.com/IYMVjdeYis
— Salisbury Hospice (@SalisburySHC) December 16, 2020
And the word has gotten out. According to the Salisbury Hospice Charity, the book went out of stock ‘due to overwhelming demand.’ They encouraged interested readers to stay tuned, promising that the wait is worth it because the contents inside are just that special.
Robert shared, “I hope this little book will bring as bring as much enjoyment to others as it did to the grubby little schoolboy for whom it was originally written.”
Victoria Borodinova
Victoria Borodinova
It was worth the wait the whole time!
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