For a moment, Viktor thought the strong hands on his forehead were his mother’s. Then he smelled the blood and gangrene and he remembered.
“How is the battle?”
“The lapots are bombing the Volga’s east bank,” the nurse said. “But Stalingrad still stands.” Her hands worked at the bandage, teasing the cloth away from the fevered flesh.
“Is there penicillin yet?”
“Russian penicillin,” she said. Then the pungent taste of the garlic extract filled his mouth.
“Is there any hope?”
Her hands smoothed down the new bandage onto his scorched scalp. “We are Russians,” she whispered. “We never give up.”
* garlic was used so often by the Red Army that it was nicknamed Russian penicillin
**Lapot: Russian nickname for the JU-87 Stuka divebombers, from the word for bast shoes, since the landing gear resembled that type of shoes.
The Green-Walled Tower 
September 26th, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Stalingrad was a truly horrific and truly pivotal battle. You captured the spirit well
September 29th, 2020 at 8:59 pm
Thank you, Neil. I’m glad you liked it.
September 26th, 2020 at 1:36 pm
Love the last line, because it’s true. Ruskees never give up. You have such an imagination David. I say it every time I read one of your stories. 🙂
September 29th, 2020 at 8:59 pm
Thank you, my friend. I truly appreciate your comments. 🙂
September 30th, 2020 at 4:15 am
You rock pal, on and off the page. 🙂
September 26th, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Thought this was fantastic. Didn’t know about Russian penicillin either!
September 29th, 2020 at 8:57 pm
I didn’t know that term either before I did research for this. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
September 27th, 2020 at 2:45 pm
Good writing as the scene was vivid and clear in my mind. A moment of hope where the individual and nation combine to overcome their shared conflict.
September 29th, 2020 at 8:56 pm
Thanks, James. It’s a good lesson that even in the worst times, there is hope.
September 28th, 2020 at 4:04 am
Why a vivid and original take on the prompt, David. So much said in so few words
September 29th, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Thanks, Dale! I’m glad you liked it.
September 29th, 2020 at 10:22 pm
Very much so!
(Great job on Susannah’s banner 😉 )
September 28th, 2020 at 6:01 am
Dear David,
As always I’m delighted when you show up for FF. Painfully informative and well-written story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
September 29th, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Thanks, Rochelle. I’m going to try to be around more, so we’ll see. 🙂 I hope you’re doing well these days.
September 28th, 2020 at 8:12 am
Outstanding. Historical fact formed into fiction. I loved this piece.
September 29th, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Thank you, Linda. I appreciate that.
September 29th, 2020 at 6:07 pm
You painted a fascinating slice of history, well done
September 29th, 2020 at 8:42 pm
Thanks, Mike. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
October 30th, 2020 at 3:17 am
[…] came across a brilliant drabble a few weeks ago called ‘Russian Penicillin‘ by David Stewart. I’ve made the mistake in the past of trying to lever too much […]