The Diary of a Young Girl-Anne Frank
Thursday, March 15, 1943 Onwards

In this diary entry, Anne writes about their suspicion of the thieves trying to enter the warehouse. The matter was reported to Anne’s father by Peter and both of them went downstairs to find out if anybody was really there. At that time, Mrs. Van Daan was listening to the radio and she was told to go upstairs quietly. But the staircase creaked twice breaking the silence when she went upstairs. 

Peter and Anne’s father had positioned themselves under the staircase and waited there for any eventuality. After sometime, they heard two bangs as if two doors had been shut violently inside the house. It made Pim jump up and Peter went upstairs to warn Mr. Dussel. Mr. van Daan had a bad cold and he was coughing loudly again and again. So he was given codeine (a medicine) to suppress his cough.

Finally, they heard nothing and reached the conclusion that the burglars fled away as they might have heard movements inside the building.

After that, Mr. van Daan followed Anne’s father downstairs. Peter was also carrying a hammer-like weapon in his hand for security right behind them.

The ladies remained in suspicion until the men came back and reported them that nothing was disturbed oin the building. But still, they decided to take some precautions, for example, not to flush the toilet, etc.

Anne also reports that unpleasant things went on happening outside.

The Western Bells stopped chiming, which Anne liked most, and Voskuijl left early the previous night and they were not sure if he had given the keys to Bep, who might have forgotten to lock the door.

They did not hear any sound between 8:15 and 10:30.

They drew another conclusion to lessen their fears. They thought that the burglars would not enter the building so early when all were awake. Secondly, they might have mistaken the sound coming from Keg Company for the one created by the thieves. Moreover, sometimes imagination also plays trick on you when you are scared of something. Although they all went to bed, but sleep was a mile away from their eyes.

In the morning, the men went downstairs and found that everything was unmoved. They also reported about their bad experience to the office staff also. Anne writes that it is easier to laugh after such incidents have happened. Bep was the only person who did not take it non-seriously.

Saturday, March 27, 1943

In this diary entry, Anne says that she has completed her short-hand course and, now, she is trying to increase her speed. She calls such things ‘time-killers’ because they all have to devise ways by which they remain busy and forget about their troubles.

Next, she writes that she loves mythology, especially, the Greek and the Roman gods and goddesses. Mr. van Daan makes his enormous efforts to cure his bad cold and ‘scratchy (hoarse) throat’ by gurgling with ‘camomile tea’, applies ‘tincture of myrth on the roof of his mouth and also rubs Vicks on his chest, nose, gums and tongue. He remains in bad mood these days.

According to a report published by Reuters, some German Bigwig delivered a speech in which the Jews have been ordered to leave German occupied territories

Before July 1 and the provinces of North and South Holland between May 1 and June 1. One more news is that Labour Exchange and Clerk’s office have been set on fire.

Thursday, April 01, 1943

Anne begins this entry by saying: “Misfortune never come singly (alone).” She reports that Mr. Kleiman’s stomach has been bothering him for quite some time and there is no respite (relief) from illness to him. He will have to stay in bed for at least more weeks now.

Second, Bepp is suffering from flu. Third, Mr. Voskuijl will have to go to hospital next week because he will undergo a surgery due to ulcer in his stomach.

Fourht, Anne’s father will have to discuss the new Opekta deliveries and there is a shortage of time to give full details to Mr. Kugler.

The managers of Pomogin Industries came from Frankfurt and Anne’s father wished that he should be downstairs. So he was unable to go there. So he deputed Anne and Margot to listen to everything that would be discussed in the office below by putting their ears very close to the floor. While doing this odd job, Anne fell asleep and Margot was more careful and she didn’t sleep.