Theodore:

Today it's pouring with rain, so we're being driven to school; otherwise, Father always lets us walk. My brothers stare out the window in silence; as so often, we disagree with having to go back to school. Since I'm the youngest of four brothers and, at 104, not that old, I have the least say about school and university.

My oldest brother, Carl, is the oldest at 198 years old. He's finishing school again this year and going back to university. The second oldest, Georg, will graduate again next year at the age of 156. The second youngest in the group is Philipp, who, at 122, isn't yet in...