Chautonville
by Will Levington ComfortGenre: Drama
Setting:
Format of Original Source: Short Story
Recommended Adaptation Length: 15 Minutes
Candidate for Adaptation? Not Likely
EXCERPT:
The General explained that a new charge was to be ordered–that three had failed–that the men (while not exactly rebellious) faltered before the valley a fourth time this day–that the failures were costly in men–in short, that the inspiration of Chautonville was required now to sing them and the reserves across…. The Austrians would quickly give way, if the valley were passed…. Then the thousands would flood up the slopes and–Budapest and holidays.
“You want me to sing to them for courage–as it were?” Chautonville questioned.
I had marked his voice. I saw now that he needed all the thickness of throat and bust–that he used it all. I hoped they would not send me away with a message….
“You want me to walk up and down the trenches?”
“Yes, singing.”
COMMENTS:
A fictionalization of the WWI Christmas Eve in which British and Germans laid down their guns and sang a carol together (and exchanged handshakes?). If this incident interests you, you probably will want to invent your own story; there’s not much here.
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