Das Piano
This dark, humorous narrative is set during the First World War and, through exaggeration, shows the effects of extreme patriotism that can appear in wartime. Thomas, the narrator, hates Mrs Biggs, his teacher. He also hates singing.
About this resource
Series: School Journal Level 3 June 2014
Reading year level: 5
Category: Fiction
Topics: First World War, piano, school, German, destruction, humour, bully
Das Piano
Words by Bernard Beckett
Illustrations by Donovan Bixley
When Mrs Biggs finds him playing Catch the German, she punishes him by making him sing in front of the mayor. Thomas’s desperate attempt to avoid singing has unexpected results when Mrs Biggs and the mayor decide to smash the piano – because it was made in Germany.
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More from this series
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School Journal Level 3 June 2014
Inside this School Journal are three stories (Das Piano; Harry's War; Windfall), three articles (Grey Angels; Te Hokowhitu-a-Tū: The Māori Pioneer Battalion; New Zealand at War), and one poem (Chunuk Bair).
1 of 7Harry's War
It’s funny the way things turn out.
2 of 7Windfall
Anna’s father has come home from the war – or has he?
3 of 7Chunuk Bair
A poem and accompanying history of the Battle of Chunuk Bair in World War One.
4 of 7Grey Angels
Although students will be aware of the role soldiers play in wartime, few will know about the role of nurses. This article describes the work of New Zealand nurses who travelled to Africa and Europe during the First World War.
5 of 7Te Hokowhitu-a-Tū - The Māori Pioneer Battalion
This article tells the story of Māori and the First World War and of the huge contribution made by the pioneer Māori Battalion.
6 of 7New Zealand at War
A timeline of New Zealand’s involvement in the First World War.
7 of 7
