Read "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Anne Frank online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Dearest Kitty, Hanukkah and St Nicholas' Day nearly coincided this year; they were only one day apart. We didn't make much of a fuss with Hanukkah, merely exchanging a few small gifts and lighting the candles. Since candles are in short supply, we lit them for only ten minutes, but as long as we sing the song, that doesn't matter. Mr van Daan made a menorah out of wood, so that was taken care of too.
St Nicholas' Day on Saturday was much more fun. During dinner Bep and Miep were so busy whispering to Father that our curiosity was aroused and we suspected they were up to something. Sure enough, at eight o'clock we all trooped downstairs through the passage in pitch darkness (it gave me the shivers, and I wished I was safely back upstairs! ) to the alcove. We could switch on the light, since this room doesn't have any windows. When that was done, Father opened the big cupboard.