When I wrote The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems, I tried to create the spirit of wonder and creation with the words that I used to describe the main characters and the main events that they were ‘traveling through’. See website: www.thegraylinghiddentruthpoems.com. Purchase my novels on Author House, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon sites.

Two significant dates to keep in mind that happened in WWII—May 14th–
Netherlands surrenders, and Belgium surrenders on May 28.
the Grayling Hidden Truth Poems is a novel based on real true-to-life stories of the Freier family who survived the occupation of the Nazis in Slovakia. See The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems on Amazon, Author House and Barnes & Noble websites. See www.thegraylinghiddentruthpoems.com.

I am a published novelist. My novels are based upon the true-to-life experiences of my husband, who was a young survivor of the Nazi’s takeover of Slovakia. Access my website at www.thdgraylinghiddentruthpoems.com. See my books and purchase from three sites, including the publisher, Author House. Cheryl Freier

There was an article on Yahoo today that showed the picture of a ring, which was found so many years later; the ring had been hidden n a false bottom in a cup by someone who was a prisoner in Auschwitz. Kind of eerie, yet a definite reminder that terrible things happened to innocent people. My husband was a survivor of the Holocaust. He was caught in the throes of the war when the Nazis took over Slovakia. He and his family were taken from their home and put on train that was headed to Auschwich. Miraculously they escaped. Read the story of their remarkable journey in and out of harms way and into the arms of faith and freedom, See the website for author Cheryl Freier: www.thegraylinghiddentruthpoems.com.

Hollywood Treatment Screenplay Page 9 The Grayling Original date: 3-9-2012
Author House Hollywood Treatment 5-15-2016
knows where this is going and tells him that he can’t leave them. It kills Joseph to admit it but he knows Sam must go. The family gathers whatever provisions they can and pack them for Sam. When the time comes for goodbyes, the feeling pervades tat this may be the last time they see their son and brother. Anna and Edith weep as Sam adventures into the forest.
May, 1945 – Joseph, Ana and the children somberly carry out their chores. Martin begs his parents to let him go and search ro4 Sam. Anna tells him that she will not risk losing another son. Before Martin can plead is cas, Frank steps into the clearning carrying a rifle. Frank and Josep loock eyes, unmoving, for a long tense moment. “Something ‘s wrong,” Anna whispers at this side. Frank glances around the clearing and walks slowly to Josep and amnna. “It’s over,” he tellw them. Disbelief clouds Joseph and Anna’s epressions. A slow smle from Frank lets them know that it’s true. Their joy fades as quickly as it came on as they remember Sam.
“Sam went looking for you,” Anna tells him. “Over a month ago now. When he couldn’t find you, we feared the worst.” Frank grins, “He did find me.” Anna and Joseph are confused. Frank says that it just took him a little lone than planned. Frank lets out a shrill whistle, drawing Sam out from behind a thick tree. “I had to make sure you weren’t the only ones out here who did not know that the war is over,” Frank smiles at her. Anna runs to Sam and wraps her arms tightly around hm. Sam’s siblings rush to welcome him home w2ith tears of joy.
Joseph offers Frank his hands and says that there is no way that he can ever repay him for everything he has done for the family throughout the war. Frank tells Joseph that I he takes his damn lumber business off o his hands, they can call it even.
THE END

Hollywood Treatment Screenplay The Grayling Page 8
Author House Hollywood Treatment original 3-9-2012
Nearly three days. Hunger sets in as the supplies dwindle. Edith screams out as an enormous rat races across the floor. Joseph grabs a block of wood and hammers the rat. From outside, the shouts of Nazi SOLDIERS marching by, petrifies the family. They pray in silence for God to keep them hidden as a battle rages outside of their hidden door. Then, as suddenly as it began, the fighting stops. “Do we dare venture out?” Anna whispers. “If we don’t, we die,” Joseph tells them.
Joseph opens the hatch of the bunker and the wind blows life into the family sheltering within. As they exit, they must shield their eyes from the bright sunlight. Henry tugs on Joseph’s hand and asks his father if the war is over. Joseph tells him that all they can hope for is that …See www.thegraylinghiddentruthpoems.com

Hollywood Treatment Screenplay Page 7 of the novel, The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems
The dog stops for a moment then charges after a small brown rabbit. Soldiers are heard in the distance, changing direction. Sam begins to crawl towards the cave. He is He is nearly home when he is overcome with fear and grief. He lies prostate, behind a rotting tree. A hand reaches in and pulls him up. It is Martin. Sam tells his brother to let him be, he has nothing to live for. Martin grabs Sam by the shirt and pulls him close to his face. “Then you have let the Nazis win.”
Martin drags Sam towards the cave, stopping every few feet to listen for soldiers. When they finally arrive, Sam slumps to the floor. For two days, he lies in bed barely moving. On the third, everyone is relieved when Sam declares that he is hungry. The family watches him eat, smiling. Sam tells them his story, and confides that he had loved Sarah. Joseph tells him this world needs love, however brief it may be. Sam tells Joseph that he must go back. Joseph says that they will do it together.
Sam leads Joseph, Bernard and Martin to the lake. Working together, they collect the bodies of Sarah’s family and bury them. The men pray as Sam lays wild flowers at the grave. Afterward, Joseph orders Bernard to take what food he can from the house. Joseph warns him not to tell his brother.
It is nearly dawn when the men arrive home. They succumb to their exhaustion and sleep late into the day. They are awakened by Cannon blasts and explosions in the distance. Joseph commands his family to pick up whatever they can; they must leave the hideout now. There is no discussion as the family complies and they are soon ready to depart. They trek for nearly eight hours before Joseph stops them near a cave similar to the one they just vacated. “This is our new home,” he says solemnly. The family enters and lays on the damp ground, oblivious to the outside world.
The next morning, no one in the family has the strength or motivation to do the things needed to make the cave livable. Joseph tries to rally them, but his words of encouragement lack conviction and they all know it. Sam gets to his feet and addresses the others. He tells them that he understands how they fell, but they owe it to Sarah’s family, and all of the Jewish families that have been butchered by the Nazis, to survive and let the world know what they’ve suffered through. “If no one does this,” he urges, “then, to the rest of the world, it will be as I we never even existed.” Sam’s words move the others to action. Joseph and the boys construct a hidden entrance. Anna and Edith gather mushrooms and berries and Henry sets up his hand-carved wooden soldiers. As they sit to dinner that evening, Joseph glances around their new, slightly more spacious dwelling. He smiles and tells his family that they are moving up in the world.
The net morning, plans are heard overhead as the rumblings o an airstrike give way. Joseph informs his family that they must stay hidden. The battle clamors on for

Author House Hollywood Treatment Screenplay of The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems
Page 6
For dinner. While feasting on potatoes and venison, Sam tells Jonah about his father’s lumber business and his family’s current predicament. Jonah frowns deeply, but says nothing about it. As it begins to get dark, Sam thanks them for their hospitality and excuses himself saying he must return home. Jonah gives Sam some cookies fdor his journey. Sarah peeks out of the kitchen as Sam heads home.
Sam enters the small cave empty handed. Anna questions the dact that he rished all day and caught nothing. He shamefully apologizes and says he hopes to have better luck tomorrow. When Sam leaces to gather wood, Anna instructs Martin to follow his brother tomorrow. The following morning, Sam heads straight to the lake, with Martin secretly in tow. Martin watches in amazement as Sam teaches Sarah to fish. At the cave, Martin blurts out that Sam has found a girlfriend. Anna steps back, frowning worriedly.
As he and Sarah fish, Sam notices a flash of light across the lake. “What is that?” he asks. Sarah informs him that it is just Molly sunbathing. Sam rises suddenly, grabbing Sarah by the arm; he tells her that they must go. A lumbering, gray cloud blocks out the sun. Molly stands and brushes off her clothes. She folds a piece of cardboard, fashioned wth tin foil, and heads up the hill. A gunshot rings out and a bullet grazes Molly’s head. Molly falters, stunned and shaking, as nine SOLDIERS close in around her, demanding to know where she is from. Her purple lips cannot answer. A soldier slaps he5r. As she falls too the ground, her hand brushes against his rifle. Instinctively, he fires. Confusion and disbelief cloud Molly’s expression as she glances at her blood soaked clothes. She turns her eyes up. The last things she sees are the indifferent faces or the men who’ve murdered her. The soldiers follow a path to Sarah’s house. Their rifle butts crash through the front door, revealing Jonah and Rachel hovering together. Jonah gently moves Rachel behind him. He holds up a hand and opens his mouth, but he has no words for them. The soldiers open fire, brutally cutting them down.
Sam and Sarah hear the shots long before they reach the house. Sarah tries to run, but Sam pulls her back. He tells her not to go. She struggles, crying that she must go to her family. Sam pins her to the ground and tells her that she ust be quiet. Sam holds tight as she pummels him until she is out of strength. Sam loosens his hold. Looking him in the eye, Sarah screams out. As he lunges for her, she screams out again, louder and louder. He lets her go and she runs off screaming for her mother. Sam bows his head, resigned. He flinches as three shots are heard. Sarah lies lifeless on the shore.
Sam hides under a bramble bush, shaking with fear. As the barking of dogs grows louder, Sam grabs the berries and begins rubbing them all over himself. The crackle of leaves grows louder as the barking draws closer. A dog emerges, sniffing the air.

Author House Hollywood Treatment Screenplay The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems
Page 5 Date Composed: 3-9-12
me,” she demands. “Yes, I am a Jew,” he says with conviction. “Well, so am I,” she says proudly. They pause, gazing at each other for a moment and then share a smile. She tells Sam she must go. He watches, until she is out of sight.
Sam rushes to the clearing and gathers a hefty burlap sack left by Frank. He races home retracing his steps, ensuring that he will be able to find his way back to the lake. As Sam enters the cave, Joseph asks where he has been. Sam tells him that he has been exploring. Joseph clearly doesn’t approve. Sam assures him that he need not worry. Joseph has taught him well. Anna glances at Sam, a knowing look on her face.
The next morning, Sam eats quickly and tells his family that he is off to fish. Joseph suggdsts he take the boys along, but Sam protests that they will slow him down. As the hours roll by at the lake, Sam keeps a hopeful eye out for Sarah. Near dark, he rises dejectedly and starts to leave until he hears Sarah singing, nearby. He follows the voice. “I thought you wouldn’t come,” he startles her, standing on the shore. Sarah composes herself and gives him a smile. She tells him she cannot stay. Sam takes her hand and asks her name. She tells him that it’s Sarah and that, yes, she will be there again tomorrow.
The next week Sam rises and readies his fishing gear. He tells Anna that he will be gone most of the day. She begins to question him about going fishing every day for two weeks, but his eyes plead with her not to make him answer. He kisses her cheek and departs.
Sam gathers wildflowers as he makes his way to Sarah. Sam sneaks up on her at the lake and puts a hand on her shoulder. She gasps and spins to find him smiling at het. He warns her to be more careful; what if he was a Nazi soldier? Sarah laughs off the thought and asks if the flowers are for her. He sheepishly hands them over. Sam and Sarah spend the afternoon chatting about their lies before the Nazis arrived, Sam learns that Sarah comes from a wealthy family and that she cannot wait to return to her home after the war. Sam asks how she knows that her house will even be there. She assures him it will. The sky turns gray, and Sam tells her that he must go before the rain comes. She invites him to come with her to her hideout.
Sam and Sarah climb a steep hill, past dozens or deeply set pine trees. There, in the thick brush, is a large, wooden house with hand carved shutters and thick chiseled planks for its front door. As they reach the house, Sarah’s sister, MOLLY (12), runs out to greet them. Sarah’s father, ONAH (50), and mother RACHEL (35), welcome them in. They enter a spacious living room filled with ample wooden chairs, each with hand-sewn quilts on top of them. There are lace curtains and fine china on the dining table. “So is Sarah’s friend?” Jonah grins. He tells Sam that he must stay

Even though I was fortunate to have been born in America, I am still of an age where I was affected by the cruelties that went on during the war. I married a Holocaust survivor from Nazi Slovakia. He was ten years older than me. He had a wisdom within himself that was special. He had seen more tragedy and heartbreaking events in the period of the war as a young boy. He managed to forget all of this. He turned his thoughts to goodness and he was always that way. My husband died suddenly of pancreatic cancer in January of 2006. Since that time, I have managed to publish six novels, which tell the story of what he went through and speak of his willingness to survive and his undying faith in G-d. Author House is my publisher. I wish to share with you the first page of the Hollywood Treatment Screenplay, which was written on the first novel, The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems. The grayling was a fish that swims in the waters of the lakes in the woods in Slovakia. The grayling was the famly’s source of food while hiding in the woods www.thegraylinghiddentruthpoems.com. Another novel, Anna’s Christmas tells the story of how Christians delivered food to the starving people in the woods during the last winter of the war in December of 1944. Cheryl Freier, author of these novels in memoriam to Martin Freier
Author House Hollywood Treatment Screenplay of the novel on the Holocaust The Grayling Hidden Truth Poems by Cheryl Freier
First Page Date 3-9-12
Title: The Grayling
Author: Cheryl Freier
Treatment By: Sean M. Dunne
Mission Statement:
The Grayling is the heart-wrenching story of one family’s struggle to survive in the Czechoslovakian wilderness while being sought out for extermination by the Nazis during World War Two. The easily identifiable characters and the dangers they face while fighting to survive make this a film that audiences or all ages and backgrounds will be drawn to. The story seamlessly blends s romance and humor with fast-paced action and tense thrill sequences to bring the viewer a glimpse or what it must have been like during one or the darkest times in human history.
The small cast and intimate settings are what set this World War Two tale apart from so many others. Instead of offering the viewer a large sweeping view of the conflict, The Grayling gives the reader a more poignant look at what it was like for the individual, rather than the masses to face the horrors of the relentless Nazi war machine.
The film story blends Cheryl Freier’s narrative with the mood of Martin Freier’s poetry to bring a unique perspective to a widely explored and heavily produced subject matter.
Logline:
A Jewish family struggles to survive in the forests outside or their Czechoslovakian village adfter escaping the clutches of the Nazi war machine. Their determination, resourcefulness and love for each other are all they have to defend against the threats of both man and nature as rthey ride out the horror trha5t was the Second World War.