The entirety of the text accompanying the illustrations appears on the inside front cover in long form, and a summary is included in the context entry. The text follows two pioneers – Sergei Litkov of the USSR, and Hans Stuve of Germany – on May 1st, celebrated in many nations as “International Workers’ Day”. The scene depicted on this page is part of the journey Hans experiences on May 1st. On the “desolate” streets, Hans is accused by the militiamen of being a pioneer, to which he again runs away to a closed-off, quiet celebration of May Day.

The militaristic nature of the tank depicted here creates a marked contrast with the productive nature of the Soviet tractors shown on the opposing page. Ironically, the famous Dzerzhinsky Stalingrad Tractor Factory – which was opened in 1930, the same year as the book’s publication – not only produced tanks during WWII, but was the site of a historically significant battle. The presence of the tank further emphasizes the institutional violence necessary to sustain the oppressive, capitalist state, thus creating a narrative (through omission and contrast) of a peaceful Soviet state.

These figures, with their diminutive stature and short hair, appear to be children. Their faces are pale and ghostly, and they appear almost imprisoned; the red lines of the window shades are evocative of prison bars. These figures serve as a contrast to the lively, energetic Soviet children shown on page 9. Whereas the Soviet children are outdoors, celebrating, these children are scared, trapped inside an inhospitable urban environment.