Biography of the Founder of the Cooperative Movement in Germany
Suitable for Children
by Sonja Hauertmann
Illustrations by Tobias Reinhard
Translation by Sharon Lyn Rusholme-Scheeren.
1. Little Ben
2. Story of Raiffeisen´s Career
3. Ben´s idea
4. The Biography of Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen
Somewhere in the middle of Europe you will find a small family. The parents are out at work. Mother is a physiotherapist and is visiting her patients at home. Father is a mechatronic technician and has been sent to India by his company to install new robots, and to train customers for the whole week. So this afternoon their son, who was born at the beginning of the third millennium, is alone at home and has just finished his homework for school. Now Ben is sitting on a chair in the hallway tying his shoelaces. It’s rather difficult today although he had celebrated his eight birthday yesterday. He can usually tie them up easily. But Ben is excited. His grandmother will soon be arriving. They want to go to the bank together with Ben’s birthday money to open his first bank account. Ben needs to save money to make his dreams come true. The doorbell rings and Ben runs to the door.
´So, are you ready?`, asks Grandma Hannah. ´Of course`, says Ben beaming and gives her his silver squirrel piggy bank. ´It doesn’t even rattle anymore when I shake it as it’s so full’.
´Then it´s good we are taking the money to the bank, otherwise your squirrel will get tummyache`, jokes Grandma and helps Ben onto the child car-seat.
It is very busy at the bank. Grandma sits down with Ben on a sofa in the waiting area and they wait for the customer adviser to come.