Lifesaver Biscuits

Filed in archive News on June 15, 2006

One of my late uncles lived through the Second World War and kept the habit of bringing something to eat, like a light snack, in his bag if he was to travel even just a short distance. He would urge us to bring a sandwich or a packet of crackers and a bottle of water even if we were to go five kilometres away from home. We would grudgingly so, knowing that the food would remain untouched until we get home.

This news article from Reuters made me remember my uncle:

A German retiree and former elevator repair man had to survive on just a packet of biscuits while he was stuck in a broken hospital elevator for three days.

Karlheinz Schmidt, 68, who had turned up for a routine appointment at a Berlin hospital, slipped out of his wheelchair during the 80-hour ordeal in which he repeatedly pushed the elevator's alarm button without anyone hearing his call for help.

Poor man! Thank goodness he was bringing that packet of biscuits!

That makes me want to go back to my old uncle-induced habit. Hmmm...