I was always a misfit, even in my own family. I didn't care for sports, wasn't interested in killing wild beasts and an overactive imagination made me questionable among my relatives as well as my peers.

"He cuts out characters from the funny papers and makes up stories with 'em. He'll be playin' with dolls next."

I found it was best to keep a low profile. After all, tight-lipped, slim-hipped farmboys faired better than the odd, opinionated and artistic. Problem was, I could never keep my mouth shut long enough to fool anyone.

So I opted for the class clown clause. And it worked. It even made me popular. I may have been a misfit, but I had made a place for myself in this isolated little corner of the universe.

However, not everyone had found their niche in Stuttgart society.