In the story, Uncle Shepsel decides to become a Lutheran in order to get out of the ghetto.

Misha notices that Uncle Shepsel has begun a new habit. Whenever he sees Uncle Shepsel, the older man is always reading a book. And, when he finishes with the book, he goes back and re-reads it.

The book is about Lutherans. Uncle Shepsel believes that if he becomes a Lutheran, he will no longer be considered a threat to the Nazis. Mr. Milgrom tells Uncle Shepsel that he can't stop being a Jew, but Uncle Shepsel insists that he can.

In the book, Uncle Shepsel is portrayed as a character who is preoccupied with his own welfare and survival. When Misha brings food back to the Milgrom family, Uncle Shepsel eats his share but isn't overly concerned about anyone else.

Later in the story, Uncle Shepsel insists that there will be no trains coming to take the Jews away to "resettlement" camps. He maintains that he is "safe" because he has converted to the Lutheran faith.

In the end, however, Uncle Shepsel is taken away. Misha finds his book of Lutherans on the floor of their hideout.

Later, in America, Misha tells everyone that Uncle Shepsel looks like Himmler. The latter is a reference to Heinrich Himmler, the second most powerful man in Nazi Germany (after Adolph Hitler).