Stranitzky and the National Hero by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. Short summary

5 seconds

A national hero falls ill with leprosy. The invalids decide that he will get them a job with the government. Their expectations are not met; the cripples die.

1 minute

The national hero Meve falls ill with leprosy. A pauper, legless invalid Stranitsky, who lives in a ruin, along with various other trash, learns of this. He tells this news to his friend Anton, a blind but strong and tall man who carries Stranitsky around on a cart.

Stranitsky is very happy, because now a national hero will understand the problems of the disabled and take him and Anton into the government. He believes so much in success and his appointment as Minister that he throws a feast on the debt. All of the neighbors participate, to whom the legless man promises great benefits.

The invalid manages to meet Meve. But the plot to get into the government fails, and they receive only commemorative gifts from the hero. The indignant neighbors want to beat Stranitsky. Anton saves him and escapes with the legless man.

Unable to see the road at all, he and Stranitsky fall into the canal. The invalids drown.