František Omelka
La Alaska stafeto kaj Kaptitoj de la glacirokoj
"La Alaska Stafeto kaj Kaptitoj de la Glacirokoj" by František Omelka is a fiction work written in the early 1950s. This story, originally crafted in Esperanto, revolves around a heroic race against time to save lives during a diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska. The central character, Doctor Welch, desperately seeks to transport a vital serum amid severe winter conditions and organizes a relay team of brave men to undertake this harrowing mission. The opening of the narrative sets the stage in January 1925, depicting the harsh and unforgiving environment of Nome as a severe cold wind howls through the streets. Families brave the bitter chill to gather at a local hotel, where discussions shift to the brewing tragedy caused by the epidemic. As panic sets in with the news of ill children, Doctor Welch realizes he needs to procure the serum from Seattle urgently and coordinates efforts to establish a relay system among local men to transport the serum across treacherous terrain. The urgency of their task and the captivating introduction of the main characters establish a gripping tone, promising a story of bravery, sacrifice, and the human spirit's resilience in the face of peril.