"In the Swimming Pool (1938)" Summary

Friedrich on a fine new bicycle and the narrator on his mother's well-used one, peddle to the pool one summer afternoon. Friedrich nearly collides with someone coming the other way on a fine silvery bicycle. They ride on, chain their bikes, change clothes, play in the water, and sun themselves for hours. When they are ready to leave, Friedrich cannot find the tag to claim his clothing. An abusive attendant demands to see his ID card, and make a fuss about a Jew having swum in their pool. He scatters Friedrich's clothes and forbids him from changing in the facilities. Friedrich rides away still dripping wet. The uproar continues, with one boy claiming his silver bike has been stolen. Friedrich returns, offering to tell the police about the thief, but is rebuffed. The police will...