The Polish Boy (short story)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The Polish Boy"
Author Orson Scott Card
Country United States
Language English
Series Ender's Game series
Genre(s) Science fiction
Published in First Meetings
Publisher Subterranean Press
Media type Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
Publication date 2002
Short story collection
Short story collection

"The Polish Boy" is a story by Orson Scott Card set in his Ender's Game universe. It tells the story of how John Paul Wieczorek (Ender’s father) as a small child gets tested by the International Fleet and convinces them to get his family out of Poland. It first appeared in Card's short story collection First Meetings.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

John Paul is a very smart child who is being home schooled because his family refused to comply with the populations control laws. One day Captain Helena Rudolf from the International Fleet shows up to test three of John Paul’s brothers for possible admission into Battle School. While there she notices John Paul reading a book and decides to test him early. He passes the test and gets a very high score for leadership. The IF tries to get him to go to Battle School but John Paul is only interested in trying to get his family out of Poland so that they can have a better life and he can get a good education. Captain Graff realizes this but agrees to send the Wieczorek family to America because he hopes that one of John Paul’s children will go to Battle School.

This story contains younger versions of important characters in the Enderverse, such as Hyrum Graff and Admiral Chamrajnagar. Other characters associated with the IF appear, including Captain Helena Rudolf and Colonel Sillian.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Wieczorek family

  • John Paul
  • Mother - unnamed
  • Father - unnamed
  • Peter - oldest brother
  • Catherine - oldest sister
  • Nicholas - older brother
  • Thomas - older brother
  • Anna - older sister
  • Andrew - older brother
  • Two babies - unnamed

[edit] International Fleet personnel

  • Captain Helena Rudolf - tester
  • Colonel Sillian
  • Captain Graff
  • Captain Chamrajnagar
  • Russian general - unnamed

[edit] Other characters

  • Magdalena "Magda" Teczlo - Wieczorek's lawyer

[edit] References

  • "The Polish Boy" by Orson Scott Card
  • The Hatrack Orson Scott Card’s official website.

[edit] External links