In 1943 Rupert and Werner joined the U.S. Army to fight the Nazis in Europe. The von Trapps were lonesome for their boys, just as many other American families were for theirs.
The Trapp Family Singers sang on. Rosmarie and Eleonore joined the group in place of their brothers. The girls did their school work while traveling. Father Wasner and other family members helped with the tutoring. The von Trapps were a homeschooling family.
When Johannes was four, he studied recorder with sister Maria. At a concert he asked to sing “Old MacDonald had a Farm.” All alone, he sang the song. But the loud clapping after the song scared him. At the next concert Mother asked him to sing. “No!” he said firmly. Even without a song, the audience applauded him again! Johannes lived on a farm, but he did not want to sing about a farm!
O is for “Oh no, Mother,” said Johannes, much too shy to sing his song!
Still the audience applauded him clapping loud and long.