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Contents

TitlePageContentsCopyrightDedicationIntroductionChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20


Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23NewberyAcceptanceSpeechAbouttheAuthorAbouttheIllustrator


Text©1993byLoisLowryNewberyacceptancespeech©1994byLoisLowry

Introduction©2011byLoisLowryIllustrations©2011byBagramIbatoulline

Allrightsreserved.OriginallypublishedinhardcoverintheUnitedStatesbyHoughtonMifflinBooksforChildren,animprintofHoughtonMifflinHarcourtPublishingCompany,

1993.Forinformationaboutpermissiontoreproduceselectionsfromthisbook,writetoPermissions,HoughtonMifflinHarcourt

PublishingCompany,215ParkAvenueSouth,NewYork,NewYork10003.

www.hmhco.com

TheLibraryofCongresshascatalogedtheprinteditionas

follows:Lowry,Lois.

Thegiver/byLoisLowry.p.cm.

Summary:GivenhislifetimeassignmentattheCeremonyofTwelve,Jonasbecomesthereceiverofmemoriessharedbyonlyoneotherinhiscommunityanddiscoverstheterribletruthabout

thesocietyinwhichhelives.ISBN:978-0-547-42477-4[1.Sciencefiction.]I.Title

PZ7.L9763Gi199392-15034


http://www.hmhco.com/popular-reading

[Fic]—dc20CIPAC

eISBN978-0-547-94696-2v5.0915


ForallthechildrenTowhomweentrustthefuture


Introduction

WhenIsatdown,closetotwentyyearsago,towritethebookthatwouldeventuallybeTheGiver,IthoughtIwaswritinganadventurestory.Ihadbeenmusingalotabouttheconceptofmemory,andwhatourliveswouldbelikeifsometechnologyhadallowedourmemoriestobecomeselective,sothatwecoulddiscardthosethatcausedusdiscomfort.Itwasthekindof“whatif...”speculationthatoftenpropelsthewritingoffiction.Itwasverysoonafterthebook’spublicationthatIbeganto

perceivetheimpactthatthesimplepremiseofithadonpeopleofallages,fromallwalksoflife.Theybegantowritetome—oraboutme—almostimmediately.Theycontinueto,alltheseyearslater.Onemanwhohadfledthereligiouscultinwhichhehadbeen

raisedtoldmethathispsychiatristhadgivenhimTheGivertoread.AwomantoldmethatJesuswouldbeashamedofme,for

writingsuchabook.AnEpiscopalpriestgavecopiesofittohisvestrymembers

forChristmas.AwebsitecalledmetheAntichrist.AnditbecamethederigueurgiftforhundredsofBarMitzvah

boys.Iwasinterviewedoftenbyjournalistsreportingonthe

increasingnumberofchallengestoTheGiver,andIneverknewquitewhattosay.Itwashardformetofigureoutexactlywhatitwasaboutthebookwasevokingsuchpassioninreaders.Ironically,itwasateenagerwhofinallyexplaineditforme,


whenshewroteingratitude,thankingmeforwritingabookaboutadultswhokeepsecretsfromyoungpeopleandreassuringyoungreadersthattheycanbreakfreefromthatintoaworldofhonestyandempowerment.Therehavebeen,inrecentyears,astartlingnumberof

dystopiannovelspublishedforyoungpeople.MostofthemareintriguingandalmostallofthemaremuchmorecomplexthanTheGivereverwasortriedtobe.Whyisitthat,withsomanyotherchoices,thislong-ago-publishedbookcontinuestobetheonethatstillfascinatesandoutragesandengagesitsreaders?It’sbecauseitdescribesthepowerthatevenatwelve-year-old

canhave:thepowertoexposehumanhypocrisy,toshattersecrecy,toshinealightontruth,andtofeelthefreedomthatliesbeyond.

LoisLowry,2011


Chapter1

ITWASALMOSTDECEMBER,andJonaswasbeginningtobefrightened.No.Wrongword,Jonasthought.Frightenedmeantthatdeep,sickeningfeelingofsomethingterribleabouttohappen.Frightenedwasthewayhehadfeltayearagowhenanunidentifiedaircrafthadoverflownthecommunitytwice.Hehadseenitbothtimes.Squintingtowardthesky,hehadseenthesleekjet,almostabluratitshighspeed,gopast,andasecondlaterheardtheblastofsoundthatfollowed.Thenonemoretime,amomentlater,fromtheoppositedirection,thesameplane.Atfirst,hehadbeenonlyfascinated.Hehadneverseen

aircraftsoclose,foritwasagainsttherulesforPilotstoflyoverthecommunity.Occasionally,whensuppliesweredeliveredbycargoplanestothelandingfieldacrosstheriver,thechildrenrodetheirbicyclestotheriverbankandwatched,intrigued,theunloadingandthenthetakeoffdirectedtothewest,alwaysawayfromthecommunity.Buttheaircraftayearagohadbeendifferent.Itwasnota

squat,fat-belliedcargoplanebutaneedle-nosedsingle-pilotjet.Jonas,lookingaroundanxiously,hadseenothers—adultsaswellaschildren—stopwhattheyweredoingandwait,confused,foranexplanationofthefrighteningevent.Thenallofthecitizenshadbeenorderedtogointothenearest

buildingandstaythere.IMMEDIATELY,theraspingvoicethroughthespeakershadsaid.LEAVEYOURBICYCLESWHERETHEYARE.Instantly,obediently,Jonashaddroppedhisbikeonitssideon

thepathbehindhisfamily’sdwelling.Hehadrunindoorsandstayedthere,alone.Hisparentswerebothatwork,andhislittle"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

sister,Lily,wasattheChildcareCenterwhereshespentherafter-schoolhours.Lookingthroughthefrontwindow,hehadseennopeople:

noneofthebusyafternooncrewofStreetCleaners,LandscapeWorkers,andFoodDeliverypeoplewhousuallypopulatedthecommunityatthattimeofday.Hesawonlytheabandonedbikeshereandthereontheirsides;anupturnedwheelononewasstillrevolvingslowly.Hehadbeenfrightenedthen.Thesenseofhisowncommunity

silent,waiting,hadmadehisstomachchurn.Hehadtrembled.Butithadbeennothing.Withinminutesthespeakershad

crackledagain,andthevoice,reassuringnowandlessurgent,hadexplainedthataPilot-in-Traininghadmisreadhisnavigationalinstructionsandmadeawrongturn.DesperatelythePilothadbeentryingtomakehiswaybackbeforehiserrorwasnoticed.

NEEDLESSTOSAY,HEWILLBERELEASED,thevoicehadsaid,followedbysilence.Therewasanironictonetothatfinalmessage,asiftheSpeakerfounditamusing;andJonashadsmiledalittle,thoughheknewwhatagrimstatementithadbeen.Foracontributingcitizentobereleasedfromthecommunitywasafinaldecision,aterriblepunishment,anoverwhelmingstatementoffailure.


Eventhechildrenwerescoldediftheyusedthetermlightlyat

play,jeeringatateammatewhomissedacatchorstumbledinarace.Jonashaddoneitonce,hadshoutedathisbestfriend,“That’sit,Asher!You’rereleased!”whenAsher’sclumsyerrorhadlostamatchforhisteam.Hehadbeentakenasideforabriefandserioustalkbythecoach,hadhunghisheadwithguiltandembarrassment,andapologizedtoAsherafterthegame.Now,thinkingaboutthefeelingoffearashepedaledhome

alongtheriverpath,herememberedthatmomentofpalpable,stomach-sinkingterrorwhentheaircrafthadstreakedabove.ItwasnotwhathewasfeelingnowwithDecemberapproaching.Hesearchedfortherightwordtodescribehisownfeeling.Jonaswascarefulaboutlanguage.Notlikehisfriend,Asher,

whotalkedtoofastandmixedthingsup,scramblingwordsandphrasesuntiltheywerebarelyrecognizableandoftenveryfunny.Jonasgrinned,rememberingthemorningthatAsherhad

dashedintotheclassroom,lateasusual,arrivingbreathlesslyinthemiddleofthechantingofthemorninganthem.Whentheclasstooktheirseatsattheconclusionofthepatriotichymn,Asherremainedstandingtomakehispublicapologyaswasrequired.“Iapologizeforinconveniencingmylearningcommunity.”

Asherranthroughthestandardapologyphraserapidly,stillcatchinghisbreath.TheInstructorandclasswaitedpatientlyforhisexplanation.Thestudentshadallbeengrinning,becausetheyhadlistenedtoAsher’sexplanationssomanytimesbefore.“IlefthomeatthecorrecttimebutwhenIwasridingalong

nearthehatchery,thecrewwasseparatingsomesalmon.IguessIjustgotdistraught,watchingthem."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“Iapologizetomyclassmates,”Asherconcluded.Hesmoothedhisrumpledtunicandsatdown.“Weacceptyourapology,Asher.”Theclassrecitedthe

standardresponseinunison.Manyofthestudentswerebitingtheirlipstokeepfromlaughing.“Iacceptyourapology,Asher,”theInstructorsaid.Hewas

smiling.“AndIthankyou,becauseonceagainyouhaveprovidedanopportunityforalessoninlanguage.‘Distraught’istoostronganadjectivetodescribesalmon-viewing.”Heturnedandwrote“distraught”ontheinstructionalboard.Besideithewrote“distracted.”Jonas,nearinghishomenow,smiledattherecollection.

Thinking,still,ashewheeledhisbikeintoitsnarrowportbesidethedoor,herealizedthatfrightenedwasthewrongwordtodescribehisfeelings,nowthatDecemberwasalmosthere.Itwastoostronganadjective.HehadwaitedalongtimeforthisspecialDecember.Nowthat

itwasalmostuponhim,hewasn’tfrightened,buthewas...eager,hedecided.Hewaseagerforittocome.Andhewasexcited,certainly.AlloftheElevenswereexcitedabouttheeventthatwouldbecomingsosoon.Buttherewasalittleshudderofnervousnesswhenhethought

aboutit,aboutwhatmighthappen.Apprehensive,Jonasdecided.That’swhatIam.

“Whowantstobethefirsttonight,forfeelings?”Jonas’sfatherasked,attheconclusionoftheireveningmeal.Itwasoneoftherituals,theeveningtellingoffeelings.

SometimesJonasandhissister,Lily,arguedoverturns,overwhowouldgettogofirst.Theirparents,ofcourse,werepartof"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

theritual;they,too,toldtheirfeelingseachevening.Butlikeallparents—alladults—theydidn’tfightandwheedlefortheirturn.NordidJonas,tonight.Hisfeelingsweretoocomplicatedthis

evening.Hewantedtosharethem,buthewasn’teagertobegintheprocessofsiftingthroughhisowncomplicatedemotions,evenwiththehelpthatheknewhisparentscouldgive.“Yougo,Lily,”hesaid,seeinghissister,whowasmuch

younger—onlyaSeven—wigglingwithimpatienceinherchair.“Ifeltveryangrythisafternoon,”Lilyannounced.“My

Childcaregroupwasattheplayarea,andwehadavisitinggroupofSevens,andtheydidn’tobeytherulesatall.Oneofthem—amale;Idon’tknowhisname—keptgoingrighttothefrontofthelinefortheslide,eventhoughtherestofuswereallwaiting.Ifeltsoangryathim.Imademyhandintoafist,likethis.”Sheheldupaclenchedfistandtherestofthefamilysmiledathersmalldefiantgesture.“Whydoyouthinkthevisitorsdidn’tobeytherules?”Mother

asked.Lilyconsidered,andshookherhead.“Idon’tknow.They

actedlike...like...”“Animals?”Jonassuggested.Helaughed.“That’sright,”Lilysaid,laughingtoo.“Likeanimals.”

Neitherchildknewwhatthewordmeant,exactly,butitwasoftenusedtodescribesomeoneuneducatedorclumsy,someonewhodidn’tfitin.“Wherewerethevisitorsfrom?”Fatherasked.Lilyfrowned,tryingtoremember.“Ourleadertoldus,when

hemadethewelcomespeech,butIcan’tremember.IguessIwasn’tpayingattention.Itwasfromanothercommunity.Theyhadtoleaveveryearly,andtheyhadtheirmiddaymealonthe"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

bus.”Mothernodded.“Doyouthinkit’spossiblethattheirrules

maybedifferent?Andsotheysimplydidn’tknowwhatyourplayarearuleswere?”Lilyshrugged,andnodded.“Isuppose.”“You’vevisitedothercommunities,haven’tyou?”Jonas

asked.“Mygrouphas,often.”Lilynoddedagain.“WhenwewereSixes,wewentandshared

awholeschooldaywithagroupofSixesintheircommunity.”“Howdidyoufeelwhenyouwerethere?”Lilyfrowned.“Ifeltstrange.Becausetheirmethodswere

different.Theywerelearningusagesthatmygrouphadn’tlearnedyet,sowefeltstupid.”Fatherwaslisteningwithinterest.“I’mthinking,Lily,”he

said,“abouttheboywhodidn’tobeytherulestoday.Doyouthinkit’spossiblethathefeltstrangeandstupid,beinginanewplacewithrulesthathedidn’tknowabout?”Lilyponderedthat.“Yes,”shesaid,finally.“Ifeelalittlesorryforhim,”Jonassaid,“eventhoughIdon’t

evenknowhim.Ifeelsorryforanyonewhoisinaplacewherehefeelsstrangeandstupid.”“Howdoyoufeelnow,Lily?”Fatherasked.“Stillangry?”“Iguessnot,”Lilydecided.“IguessIfeelalittlesorryfor

him.AndsorryImadeafist.”Shegrinned.Jonassmiledbackathissister.Lily’sfeelingswerealways

straightforward,fairlysimple,usuallyeasytoresolve.Heguessedthathisownhadbeen,too,whenhewasaSeven.Helistenedpolitely,thoughnotveryattentively,whilehis

fathertookhisturn,describingafeelingofworrythathe’dhadthatdayatwork:aconcernaboutoneofthenewchildrenwho"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

wasn’tdoingwell.Jonas’sfather’stitlewasNurturer.HeandtheotherNurturerswereresponsibleforallthephysicalandemotionalneedsofeverynewchildduringitsearliestlife.Itwasaveryimportantjob,Jonasknew,butitwasn’tonethatinterestedhimmuch.“Whatgenderisit?”Lilyasked.“Male,”Fathersaid.“He’sasweetlittlemalewithalovely

disposition.Butheisn’tgrowingasfastasheshould,andhedoesn’tsleepsoundly.Wehavehimintheextracaresectionforsupplementarynurturing,butthecommittee’sbeginningtotalkaboutreleasinghim.”“Oh,no,”Mothermurmuredsympathetically.“Iknowhow

sadthatmustmakeyoufeel.”JonasandLilybothnoddedsympatheticallyaswell.Release

ofnewchildrenwasalwayssad,becausetheyhadn’thadachancetoenjoylifewithinthecommunityyet.Andtheyhadn’tdoneanythingwrong.Therewereonlytwooccasionsofreleasewhichwerenot

punishment.Releaseoftheelderly,whichwasatimeofcelebrationforalifewellandfullylived;andreleaseofanewchild,whichalwaysbroughtasenseofwhat-could-we-have-done.ThiswasespeciallytroublingfortheNurturers,likeFather,whofelttheyhadfailedsomehow.Butithappenedveryrarely.“Well,”Fathersaid,“I’mgoingtokeeptrying.Imayaskthe

committeeforpermissiontobringhimhereatnight,ifyoudon’tmind.Youknowwhatthenight-crewNurturersarelike.Ithinkthislittleguyneedssomethingextra.”“Ofcourse,”Mothersaid,andJonasandLilynodded.They

hadheardFathercomplainaboutthenightcrewbefore.Itwasa"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

lesserjob,night-crewnurturing,assignedtothosewholackedtheinterestorskillsorinsightforthemorevitaljobsofthedaytimehours.Mostofthepeopleonthenightcrewhadnotevenbeengivenspousesbecausetheylacked,somehow,theessentialcapacitytoconnecttoothers,whichwasrequiredforthecreationofafamilyunit.“Maybewecouldevenkeephim,”Lilysuggestedsweetly,

tryingtolookinnocent.Thelookwasfake,Jonasknew;theyallknew.“Lily,”Motherremindedher,smiling,“youknowtherules.”Twochildren—onemale,onefemale—toeachfamilyunit.It

waswrittenveryclearlyintherules.Lilygiggled.“Well,”shesaid,“Ithoughtmaybejustthis

once.”Next,Mother,whoheldaprominentpositionattheDepartmentofJustice,talkedaboutherfeelings.Todayarepeatoffenderhadbeenbroughtbeforeher,someonewhohadbrokentherulesbefore.Someonewhoshehopedhadbeenadequatelyandfairlypunished,andwhohadbeenrestoredtohisplace:tohisjob,hishome,hisfamilyunit.Toseehimbroughtbeforeherasecondtimecausedheroverwhelmingfeelingsoffrustrationandanger.Andevenguilt,thatshehadn’tmadeadifferenceinhislife.“Ifeelfrightened,too,forhim,”sheconfessed.“Youknow

thatthere’snothirdchance.Therulessaythatifthere’sathirdtransgression,hesimplyhastobereleased.”Jonasshivered.Heknewithappened.TherewasevenaboyinhisgroupofElevenswhosefatherhadbeenreleasedyearsbefore.Nooneevermentionedit;thedisgracewasunspeakable.Itwashardtoimagine."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

Lilystoodupandwenttohermother.Shestrokedhermother’sarm.Fromhisplaceatthetable,Fatherreachedoverandtookher

hand.Jonasreachedfortheother.Onebyone,theycomfortedher.Soonshesmiled,thanked

them,andmurmuredthatshefeltsoothed.Theritualcontinued.“Jonas?”Fatherasked.“You’relast,

tonight.”Jonassighed.Thiseveninghealmostwouldhavepreferredto

keephisfeelingshidden.Butitwas,ofcourse,againsttherules.“I’mfeelingapprehensive,”heconfessed,gladthatthe

appropriatedescriptivewordhadfinallycometohim.“Whyisthat,son?”Hisfatherlookedconcerned.“Iknowthere’sreallynothingtoworryabout,”Jonas

explained,“andthateveryadulthasbeenthroughit.Iknowyouhave,Father,andyoutoo,Mother.Butit’stheCeremonythatI’mapprehensiveabout.It’salmostDecember.”Lilylookedup,hereyeswide.“TheCeremonyofTwelve,”she

whisperedinanawedvoice.Eventhesmallestchildren—Lily’sageandyounger—knewthatitlayinthefutureforeachofthem.“I’mgladyoutoldusofyourfeelings,”Fathersaid.“Lily,”Mothersaid,beckoningtothelittlegirl,“Goonnow

andgetintoyournightclothes.FatherandIaregoingtostayhereandtalktoJonasforawhile.”Lilysighed,butobedientlyshegotdownfromherchair.

“Privately?”sheasked.Mothernodded.“Yes,”shesaid,“thistalkwillbeaprivate

onewithJonas.”


Chapter2

JONASWATCHEDashisfatherpouredafreshcupofcoffee.Hewaited.“Youknow,”hisfatherfinallysaid,“everyDecemberwas

excitingtomewhenIwasyoung.AndithasbeenforyouandLily,too,I’msure.EachDecemberbringssuchchanges.”Jonasnodded.HecouldremembertheDecembersbackto

whenhehadbecome,well,probablyaFour.Theearlieroneswerelosttohim.Butheobservedthemeachyear,andherememberedLily’searliestDecembers.HerememberedwhenhisfamilyreceivedLily,thedayshewasnamed,thedaythatshehadbecomeaOne.TheCeremonyfortheOneswasalwaysnoisyandfun.Each

December,allthenewchildrenborninthepreviousyearturnedOne.Oneatatime—therewerealwaysfiftyineachyear’sgroup,ifnonehadbeenreleased—theyhadbeenbroughttothestagebytheNurturerswhohadcaredforthemsincebirth.Somewerealreadywalking,wobblyontheirunsteadylegs;otherswerenomorethanafewdaysold,wrappedinblankets,heldbytheirNurturers.“IenjoytheNaming,”Jonassaid.Hismotheragreed,smiling.“TheyearwegotLily,weknew,

ofcourse,thatwe’dreceiveourfemale,becausewe’dmadeourapplicationandbeenapproved.ButI’dbeenwonderingandwonderingwhathernamewouldbe.”“Icouldhavesneakedalookatthelistpriortotheceremony,”

Fatherconfided.“Thecommitteealwaysmakesthelistinadvance,andit’srightthereintheofficeattheNurturingCenter."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“Asamatteroffact,”hewenton,“Ifeelalittleguiltyaboutthis.ButIdidgointhisafternoonandlookedtoseeifthisyear’sNaminglisthadbeenmadeyet.Itwasrightthereintheoffice,andIlookedupnumberThirty-six—that’sthelittleguyI’vebeenconcernedabout—becauseitoccurredtomethatitmightenhancehisnurturingifIcouldcallhimbyaname.Justprivately,ofcourse,whennooneelseisaround.”“Didyoufindit?”Jonasasked.Hewasfascinated.Itdidn’t

seematerriblyimportantrule,butthefactthathisfatherhadbrokenaruleatallawedhim.Heglancedathismother,theoneresponsibleforadherencetotherules,andwasrelievedthatshewassmiling.Hisfathernodded.“Hisname—ifhemakesittotheNaming

withoutbeingreleased,ofcourse—istobeGabriel.SoIwhisperthattohimwhenIfeedhimeveryfourhours,andduringexerciseandplaytime.Ifnoonecanhearme.“IcallhimGabe,actually,”hesaid,andgrinned.“Gabe.”Jonastrieditout.Agoodname,hedecided.ThoughJonashadonlybecomeaFivetheyearthatthey

acquiredLilyandlearnedhername,herememberedtheexcitement,theconversationsathome,wonderingabouther:howshewouldlook,whoshewouldbe,howshewouldfitintotheirestablishedfamilyunit.Herememberedclimbingthestepstothestagewithhisparents,hisfatherbyhissidethatyearinsteadofwiththeNurturers,sinceitwastheyearthathewouldbegivenanewchildofhisown.Herememberedhismothertakingthenewchild,hissister,into

herarms,whilethedocumentwasreadtotheassembledfamilyunits.“NewchildTwenty-three,”theNamerhadread.“Lily.”Herememberedhisfather’slookofdelight,andthathisfather


hadwhispered,“She’soneofmyfavorites.Iwashopingforhertobetheone.”Thecrowdhadclapped,andJonashadgrinned.Helikedhissister’sname.Lily,barelyawake,hadwavedhersmallfist.Thentheyhadsteppeddowntomakeroomforthenextfamilyunit.“WhenIwasanEleven,”hisfathersaidnow,“asyouare,

Jonas,Iwasveryimpatient,waitingfortheCeremonyofTwelve.It’salongtwodays.IrememberthatIenjoyedtheOnes,asIalwaysdo,butthatIdidn’tpaymuchattentiontotheotherceremonies,exceptformysister’s.ShebecameaNinethatyear,andgotherbicycle.I’dbeenteachinghertoridemine,eventhoughtechnicallyIwasn’tsupposedto.”Jonaslaughed.Itwasoneofthefewrulesthatwasnottaken

veryseriouslyandwasalmostalwaysbroken.ThechildrenallreceivedtheirbicyclesatNine;theywerenotallowedtoridebicyclesbeforethen.Butalmostalways,theolderbrothersandsistershadsecretlytaughttheyoungerones.JonashadbeenthinkingalreadyaboutteachingLily.Therewastalkaboutchangingtheruleandgivingthebicycles

atanearlierage.Acommitteewasstudyingtheidea.Whensomethingwenttoacommitteeforstudy,thepeoplealwaysjokedaboutit.TheysaidthatthecommitteememberswouldbecomeEldersbythetimetherulechangewasmade.Ruleswereveryhardtochange.Sometimes,ifitwasavery

importantrule—unliketheonegoverningtheageforbicycles—itwouldhavetogo,eventually,toTheReceiverforadecision.TheReceiverwasthemostimportantElder.Jonashadneverevenseenhim,thatheknewof;someoneinapositionofsuchimportancelivedandworkedalone.ButthecommitteewouldneverbotherTheReceiverwithaquestionaboutbicycles;they"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

wouldsimplyfretandargueaboutitthemselvesforyears,untilthecitizensforgotthatithadevergonetothemforstudy.Hisfathercontinued.“SoIwatchedandcheeredwhenmy

sister,Katya,becameaNineandremovedherhairribbonsandgotherbicycle,”Fatherwenton.“ThenIdidn’tpaymuchattentiontotheTensandElevens.Andfinally,attheendofthesecondday,whichseemedtogoonforever,itwasmyturn.ItwastheCeremonyofTwelve.”Jonasshivered.Hepicturedhisfather,whomusthavebeena

shyandquietboy,forhewasashyandquietman,seatedwithhisgroup,waitingtobecalledtothestage.TheCeremonyofTwelvewasthelastoftheCeremonies.Themostimportant.“Irememberhowproudmyparentslooked—andmysister,

too;eventhoughshewantedtobeoutridingthebicyclepublicly,shestoppedfidgetingandwasverystillandattentivewhenmyturncame.“Buttobehonest,Jonas,”hisfathersaid,“formetherewas

nottheelementofsuspensethatthereiswithyourCeremony.BecauseIwasalreadyfairlycertainofwhatmyAssignmentwastobe.”Jonaswassurprised.Therewasnoway,really,toknowin

advance.Itwasasecretselection,madebytheleadersofthecommunity,theCommitteeofElders,whotooktheresponsibilitysoseriouslythattherewereneverevenanyjokesmadeaboutAssignments.Hismotherseemedsurprised,too.“Howcouldyouhave

known?”sheasked.Hisfathersmiledhisgentlesmile.“Well,itwascleartome—

andmyparentslaterconfessedthatithadbeenobvioustothem,too—whatmyaptitudewas.Ihadalwayslovedthenewchildren"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

morethananything.Whenmyfriendsinmyagegroupwereholdingbicycleraces,orbuildingtoyvehiclesorbridgeswiththeirconstructionsets,or—”“AllthethingsIdowithmyfriends,”Jonaspointedout,and

hismothernoddedinagreement.“Ialwaysparticipated,ofcourse,becauseaschildrenwemust

experienceallofthosethings.AndIstudiedhardinschool,asyoudo,Jonas.Butagainandagain,duringfreetime,Ifoundmyselfdrawntothenewchildren.IspentalmostallofmyvolunteerhourshelpingintheNurturingCenter.OfcoursetheEldersknewthat,fromtheirobservation.”Jonasnodded.Duringthepastyearhehadbeenawareofthe

increasinglevelofobservation.Inschool,atrecreationtime,andduringvolunteerhours,hehadnoticedtheElderswatchinghimandtheotherElevens.Hehadseenthemtakingnotes.Heknew,too,thattheEldersweremeetingforlonghourswithalloftheinstructorsthatheandtheotherElevenshadhadduringtheiryearsofschool.“SoIexpectedit,andIwaspleased,butnotatallsurprised,

whenmyAssignmentwasannouncedasNurturer,”Fatherexplained.“Dideveryoneapplaud,eventhoughtheyweren’tsurprised?”

Jonasasked.“Oh,ofcourse.Theywerehappyforme,thatmyAssignment

waswhatIwantedmost.Ifeltveryfortunate.”Hisfathersmiled.“WereanyoftheElevensdisappointed,youryear?”Jonas

asked.Unlikehisfather,hehadnoideawhathisAssignmentwouldbe.Butheknewthatsomewoulddisappointhim.Thoughherespectedhisfather’swork,Nurturerwouldnotbehiswish.Andhedidn’tenvyLaborersatall."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

Hisfatherthought.“No,Idon’tthinkso.OfcoursetheEldersaresocarefulintheirobservationsandselections.”“Ithinkit’sprobablythemostimportantjobinour

community,”hismothercommented.“MyfriendYoshikowassurprisedbyherselectionasDoctor,”

Fathersaid,“butshewasthrilled.Andlet’ssee,therewasAndrei—Irememberthatwhenwewereboysheneverwantedtodophysicalthings.Hespentalltherecreationtimehecouldwithhisconstructionset,andhisvolunteerhourswerealwaysonbuildingsites.TheEldersknewthat,ofcourse.AndreiwasgiventheAssignmentofEngineerandhewasdelighted.”“Andreilaterdesignedthebridgethatcrossestherivertothe

westoftown,”Jonas’smothersaid.“Itwasn’ttherewhenwewerechildren.”“Thereareveryrarelydisappointments,Jonas.Idon’tthink

youneedtoworryaboutthat,”hisfatherreassuredhim.“Andifthereare,youknowthere’sanappealprocess.”Buttheyalllaughedatthat—anappealwenttoacommitteeforstudy.“IworryalittleaboutAsher’sAssignment,”Jonasconfessed.

“Asher’ssuchfun.Buthedoesn’treallyhaveanyseriousinterests.Hemakesagameoutofeverything.”Hisfatherchuckled.“Youknow,”hesaid,“Irememberwhen

AsherwasanewchildattheNurturingCenter,beforehewasnamed.Henevercried.Hegiggledandlaughedateverything.AllofusonthestaffenjoyednurturingAsher.”“TheEldersknowAsher,”hismothersaid.“They’llfind

exactlytherightAssignmentforhim.Idon’tthinkyouneedtoworryabouthim.But,Jonas,letmewarnyouaboutsomethingthatmaynothaveoccurredtoyou.IknowIdidn’tthinkaboutituntilaftermyCeremonyofTwelve.”"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“What’sthat?”“Well,it’sthelastoftheCeremonies,asyouknow.After

Twelve,ageisn’timportant.Mostofusevenlosetrackofhowoldweareastimepasses,thoughtheinformationisintheHallofOpenRecords,andwecouldgoandlookitupifwewantedto.What’simportantisthepreparationforadultlife,andthetrainingyou’llreceiveinyourAssignment.”“Iknowthat,”Jonassaid.“Everyoneknowsthat.”“Butitmeans,”hismotherwenton,“thatyou’llmoveintoa

newgroup.Andeachofyourfriendswill.You’llnolongerbespendingyourtimewithyourgroupofElevens.AftertheCeremonyofTwelve,you’llbewithyourAssignmentgroup,withthoseintraining.Nomorevolunteerhours.Nomorerecreationhours.Soyourfriendswillnolongerbeasclose.”Jonasshookhishead.“AsherandIwillalwaysbefriends,”he

saidfirmly.“Andtherewillstillbeschool.”“That’strue,”hisfatheragreed.“Butwhatyourmothersaidis

trueaswell.Therewillbechanges.”“Goodchanges,though,”hismotherpointedout.“Aftermy

CeremonyofTwelve,Imissedmychildhoodrecreation.ButwhenIenteredmytrainingforLawandJustice,Ifoundmyselfwithpeoplewhosharedmyinterests.Imadefriendsonanewlevel,friendsofallages.”“Didyoustillplayatall,afterTwelve?”Jonasasked.“Occasionally,”hismotherreplied.“Butitdidn’tseemas

importanttome.”“Idid,”hisfathersaid,laughing.“Istilldo.Everyday,atthe

NurturingCenter,Iplaybounce-on-the-knee,andpeek-a-boo,andhug-the-teddy.”HereachedoverandstrokedJonas’sneatlytrimmedhair.“Fundoesn’tendwhenyoubecomeTwelve.”"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

Lilyappeared,wearinghernightclothes,inthedoorway.Shegaveanimpatientsigh.“Thisiscertainlyaverylongprivateconversation,”shesaid.“Andtherearecertainpeoplewaitingfortheircomfortobject.”“Lily,”hermothersaidfondly,“you’reveryclosetobeingan

Eight,andwhenyou’reanEight,yourcomfortobjectwillbetakenaway.Itwillberecycledtotheyoungerchildren.Youshouldbestartingtogoofftosleepwithoutit.”Butherfatherhadalreadygonetotheshelfandtakendown

thestuffedelephantwhichwaskeptthere.Manyofthecomfortobjects,likeLily’s,weresoft,stuffed,imaginarycreatures.Jonas’shadbeencalledabear.“Hereyouare,Lily-billy,”hesaid.“I’llcomehelpyou

removeyourhairribbons.”Jonasandhismotherrolledtheireyes,yettheywatched

affectionatelyasLilyandherfatherheadedtohersleepingroomwiththestuffedelephantthathadbeengiventoherashercomfortobjectwhenshewasborn.Hismothermovedtoherbigdeskandopenedherbriefcase;herworkneverseemedtoend,evenwhenshewasathomeintheevening.Jonaswenttohisowndeskandbegantosortthroughhisschoolpapersfortheevening’sassignment.ButhismindwasstillonDecemberandthecomingCeremony.Thoughhehadbeenreassuredbythetalkwithhisparents,he

hadn’ttheslightestideawhatAssignmenttheElderswouldbeselectingforhisfuture,orhowhemightfeelaboutitwhenthedaycame.


Chapter3

“OH,LOOK!”Lilysquealedindelight.“Isn’thecute?Lookhowtinyheis!Andhehasfunnyeyeslikeyours,Jonas!”Jonasglaredather.Hedidn’tlikeitthatshehadmentionedhiseyes.HewaitedforhisfathertochastiseLily.ButFatherwasbusyunstrappingthecarryingbasketfromthebackofhisbicycle.Jonaswalkedovertolook.ItwasthefirstthingJonasnoticedashelookedatthe

newchildpeeringupcuriouslyfromthebasket.Thepaleeyes.Almosteverycitizeninthecommunityhaddarkeyes.His

parentsdid,andLilydid,andsodidallofhisgroupmembersandfriends.Buttherewereafewexceptions:Jonashimself,andafemaleFivewhohehadnoticedhadthedifferent,lightereyes.Noonementionedsuchthings;itwasnotarule,butwasconsideredrudetocallattentiontothingsthatwereunsettlingordifferentaboutindividuals.Lily,hedecided,wouldhavetolearnthatsoon,orshewouldbecalledinforchastisementbecauseofherinsensitivechatter.Fatherputhisbikeintoitsport.Thenhepickedupthebasket

andcarrieditintothehouse.Lilyfollowedbehind,butsheglancedbackoverhershoulderatJonasandteased,“MaybehehadthesameBirthmotherasyou.”Jonasshrugged.Hefollowedtheminside.Buthehadbeen

startledbythenewchild’seyes.Mirrorswererareinthecommunity;theyweren’tforbidden,buttherewasnorealneedofthem,andJonashadsimplyneverbotheredtolookathimselfveryoftenevenwhenhefoundhimselfinalocationwhereamirrorexisted.Now,seeingthenewchildanditsexpression,he"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

wasremindedthatthelighteyeswerenotonlyararitybutgavetheonewhohadthemacertainlook—whatwasit?Depth,hedecided;asifonewerelookingintotheclearwateroftheriver,downtothebottom,wherethingsmightlurkwhichhadn’tbeendiscoveredyet.Hefeltself-conscious,realizingthathe,too,hadthatlook.Hewenttohisdesk,pretendingnottobeinterestedinthe

newchild.Ontheothersideoftheroom,MotherandLilywerebendingovertowatchasFatherunwrappeditsblanket.“What’shiscomfortobjectcalled?”Lilyasked,pickingupthe

stuffedcreaturewhichhadbeenplacedbesidethenewchildinhisbasket.Fatherglancedatit.“Hippo,”hesaid.Lilygiggledatthestrangeword.“Hippo,”sherepeated,and

putthecomfortobjectdownagain.Shepeeredattheunwrappednewchild,whowavedhisarms.“Ithinknewchildrenaresocute,”Lilysighed.“IhopeIget

assignedtobeaBirthmother.”“Lily!”Motherspokeverysharply.“Don’tsaythat.There’s

verylittlehonorinthatAssignment.”“ButIwastalkingtoNatasha.YouknowtheTenwholives

aroundthecorner?ShedoessomeofhervolunteerhoursattheBirthingCenter.AndshetoldmethattheBirthmothersgetwonderfulfood,andtheyhaveverygentleexerciseperiods,andmostofthetimetheyjustplaygamesandamusethemselveswhilethey’rewaiting.IthinkI’dlikethat,”Lilysaidpetulantly.“Threeyears,”Mothertoldherfirmly.“Threebirths,and

that’sall.AfterthattheyareLaborersfortherestoftheiradultlives,untilthedaythattheyentertheHouseoftheOld.Isthatwhatyouwant,Lily?Threelazyyears,andthenhardphysical"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

laboruntilyouareold?”“Well,no,Iguessnot,”Lilyacknowledgedreluctantly.Fatherturnedthenewchildontohistummyinthebasket.He

satbesideitandrubbeditssmallbackwitharhythmicmotion.“Anyway,Lily-billy,”hesaidaffectionately,“theBirthmothersneverevengettoseenewchildren.Ifyouenjoythelittleonessomuch,youshouldhopeforanAssignmentasNurturer.”“Whenyou’reanEightandstartyourvolunteerhours,youcan

trysomeattheNurturingCenter,”Mothersuggested.“Yes,IthinkIwill,”Lilysaid.Shekneltbesidethebasket.

“Whatdidyousayhisnameis?Gabriel?Hello,Gabriel,”shesaidinasingsongvoice.Thenshegiggled.“Oops,”shewhispered.“Ithinkhe’sasleep.IguessI’dbetterbequiet.”


Jonasturnedtotheschoolassignmentsonhisdesk.Somechanceofthat,hethought.Lilywasneverquiet.ProbablysheshouldhopeforanAssignmentasSpeaker,sothatshecouldsitintheofficewiththemicrophoneallday,makingannouncements.Helaughedsilentlytohimself,picturinghissisterdroningonintheself-importantvoicethatalltheSpeakersseemedtodevelop,sayingthingslike,ATTENTION.THISISAREMINDERTOFEMALESUNDERNINETHATHAIRRIBBONSARETOBENEATLYTIEDATALLTIMES.HeturnedtowardLilyandnoticedtohissatisfactionthather

ribbonswere,asusual,undoneanddangling.Therewouldbeanannouncementlikethatquitesoon,hefeltcertain,anditwouldbedirectedmainlyatLily,thoughhername,ofcourse,wouldnotbementioned.Everyonewouldknow.Everyonehadknown,herememberedwithhumiliation,that

theannouncementATTENTION.THISISAREMINDERTOMALEELEVENSTHATOBJECTSARENOTTOBEREMOVEDFROMTHERECREATIONAREAANDTHATSNACKSARETOBEEATEN,NOTHOARDEDhadbeenspecificallydirectedathim,thedaylastmonththathehadtakenanapplehome.Noonehadmentionedit,notevenhisparents,becausethepublicannouncementhadbeensufficienttoproducetheappropriateremorse.Hehad,ofcourse,disposedoftheappleandmadehisapologytotheRecreationDirectorthenextmorning,beforeschool.Jonasthoughtagainaboutthatincident.Hewasstill

bewilderedbyit.Notbytheannouncementorthenecessaryapology;thosewerestandardprocedures,andhehaddeservedthem—butbytheincidentitself.Heprobablyshouldhavebroughtuphisfeelingofbewildermentthatveryeveningwhenthefamilyunithadsharedtheirfeelingsoftheday.Buthehadnotbeenabletosortoutandputwordstothesourceofhis"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

confusion,sohehadletitpass.Ithadhappenedduringtherecreationperiod,whenhehad

beenplayingwithAsher.Jonashadcasuallypickedupanapplefromthebasketwherethesnackswerekept,andhadthrownittohisfriend.Asherhadthrownitback,andtheyhadbegunasimplegameofcatch.Therehadbeennothingspecialaboutit;itwasanactivitythat

hehadperformedcountlesstimes:throw,catch;throw,catch.ItwaseffortlessforJonas,andevenboring,thoughAsherenjoyedit,andplayingcatchwasarequiredactivityforAsherbecauseitwouldimprovehishand-eyecoordination,whichwasnotuptostandards.ButsuddenlyJonashadnoticed,followingthepathofthe

applethroughtheairwithhiseyes,thatthepieceoffruithad—well,thiswasthepartthathecouldn’tadequatelyunderstand—theapplehadchanged.Justforaninstant.Ithadchangedinmid-air,heremembered.Thenitwasinhishand,andhelookedatitcarefully,butitwasthesameapple.Unchanged.Thesamesizeandshape:aperfectsphere.Thesamenondescriptshade,aboutthesameshadeashisowntunic.Therewasabsolutelynothingremarkableaboutthatapple.He

hadtosseditbackandforthbetweenhishandsafewtimes,thenthrownitagaintoAsher.Andagain—intheair,foraninstantonly—ithadchanged.Ithadhappenedfourtimes.Jonashadblinked,lookedaround,

andthentestedhiseyesight,squintingatthesmallprintontheidentificationbadgeattachedtohistunic.Hereadhisnamequiteclearly.HecouldalsoclearlyseeAsherattheotherendofthethrowingarea.Andhehadhadnoproblemcatchingtheapple."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

Jonashadbeencompletelymystified.“Ash?”hehadcalled.“Doesanythingseemstrangetoyou?

Abouttheapple?”“Yes,”Ashercalledback,laughing.“Itjumpsoutofmyhand

ontotheground!”Asherhadjustdroppeditonceagain.SoJonaslaughedtoo,andwithhislaughtertriedtoignorehis

uneasyconvictionthatsomethinghadhappened.Buthehadtakentheapplehome,againsttherecreationarearules.Thatevening,beforehisparentsandLilyarrivedatthedwelling,hehadhelditinhishandsandlookedatitcarefully.Itwasslightlybruisednow,becauseAsherhaddroppeditseveraltimes.Buttherewasnothingatallunusualabouttheapple.Hehadheldamagnifyingglasstoit.Hehadtosseditseveral


timesacrosstheroom,watching,andthenrolleditaroundandaroundonhisdesktop,waitingforthethingtohappenagain.Butithadn’t.Theonlythingthathappenedwasthe

announcementlaterthateveningoverthespeaker,theannouncementthathadsingledhimoutwithoutusinghisname,thathadcausedbothofhisparentstoglancemeaningfullyathisdeskwheretheapplestilllay.Now,sittingathisdesk,staringathisschoolworkashis

familyhoveredoverthenewchildinitsbasket,heshookhishead,tryingtoforgettheoddincident.Heforcedhimselftoarrangehispapersandtrytostudyalittlebeforetheeveningmeal.Thenewchild,Gabriel,stirredandwhimpered,andFatherspokesoftlytoLily,explainingthefeedingprocedureasheopenedthecontainerthatheldtheformulaandequipment.Theeveningproceededasalleveningsdidinthefamilyunit,

inthedwelling,inthecommunity:quiet,reflective,atimeforrenewalandpreparationforthedaytocome.Itwasdifferentonlyintheadditiontoitofthenewchildwithhispale,solemn,knowingeyes.


Chapter4

JONASRODEATALEISURELYPACE,glancingatthebikeportsbesidethebuildingstoseeifhecouldspotAsher’s.Hedidn’toftendohisvolunteerhourswithhisfriendbecauseAsherfrequentlyfooledaroundandmadeseriousworkalittledifficult.Butnow,withTwelvecomingsosoonandthevolunteerhoursending,itdidn’tseemtomatter.Thefreedomtochoosewheretospendthosehourshadalways

seemedawonderfulluxurytoJonas;otherhoursofthedayweresocarefullyregulated.HerememberedwhenhehadbecomeanEight,asLilywould

doshortly,andhadbeenfacedwiththatfreedomofchoice.TheEightsalwayssetoutontheirfirstvolunteerhouralittlenervously,gigglingandstayingingroupsoffriends.TheyalmostinvariablydidtheirhoursonRecreationDutyfirst,helpingwiththeyoungeronesinaplacewheretheystillfeltcomfortable.Butwithguidance,astheydevelopedself-confidenceandmaturity,theymovedontootherjobs,gravitatingtowardthosethatwouldsuittheirowninterestsandskills.AmaleElevennamedBenjaminhaddonehisentirenearly-

FouryearsintheRehabilitationCenter,workingwithcitizenswhohadbeeninjured.ItwasrumoredthathewasasskillednowastheRehabilitationDirectorsthemselves,andthathehadevendevelopedsomemachinesandmethodstohastenrehabilitation.TherewasnodoubtthatBenjaminwouldreceivehisAssignmenttothatfieldandwouldprobablybepermittedtobypassmostofthetraining.JonaswasimpressedbythethingsBenjaminhadachieved.He


knewhim,ofcourse,sincetheyhadalwaysbeengroupmates,buttheyhadnevertalkedabouttheboy’saccomplishmentsbecausesuchaconversationwouldhavebeenawkwardforBenjamin.Therewasneveranycomfortablewaytomentionordiscussone’ssuccesseswithoutbreakingtheruleagainstbragging,evenifonedidn’tmeanto.Itwasaminorrule,ratherlikerudeness,punishableonlybygentlechastisement.Butstill.Bettertosteerclearofanoccasiongovernedbyarulewhichwouldbesoeasytobreak.Theareaofdwellingsbehindhim,Jonasrodepastthe

communitystructures,hopingtospotAsher’sbicycleparkedbesideoneofthesmallfactoriesorofficebuildings.HepassedtheChildcareCenterwhereLilystayedafterschool,andtheplayareassurroundingit.HerodethroughtheCentralPlazaandthelargeAuditoriumwherepublicmeetingswereheld.Jonasslowedandlookedatthenametagsonthebicycleslined

upoutsidetheNurturingCenter.ThenhecheckedthoseoutsideFoodDistribution;itwasalwaysfuntohelpwiththedeliveries,andhehopedhewouldfindhisfriendtheresothattheycouldgotogetheronthedailyrounds,carryingthecartonsofsuppliesintothedwellingsofthecommunity.ButhefinallyfoundAsher’sbicycle—leaning,asusual,insteadofuprightinitsport,asitshouldhavebeen—attheHouseoftheOld.Therewasonlyoneotherchild’sbicyclethere,thatofa

femaleElevennamedFiona.JonaslikedFiona.Shewasagoodstudent,quietandpolite,butshehadasenseoffunaswell,anditdidn’tsurprisehimthatshewasworkingwithAshertoday.Heparkedhisbicycleneatlyintheportbesidetheirsandenteredthebuilding.“Hello,Jonas,”theattendantatthefrontdesksaid.Shehanded


himthesign-upsheetandstampedherownofficialsealbesidehissignature.AllofhisvolunteerhourswouldbecarefullytabulatedattheHallofOpenRecords.Once,longago,itwaswhisperedamongthechildren,anElevenhadarrivedattheCeremonyofTwelveonlytohearapublicannouncementthathehadnotcompletedtherequirednumberofvolunteerhoursandwouldnot,therefore,begivenhisAssignment.Hehadbeenpermittedanadditionalmonthinwhichtocompletethehours,andthengivenhisAssignmentprivately,withnoapplause,nocelebration:adisgracethathadcloudedhisentirefuture.“It’sgoodtohavesomevolunteersheretoday,”theattendant

toldhim.“Wecelebratedareleasethismorning,andthatalwaysthrowsthescheduleoffalittle,sothingsgetbackedup.”Shelookedataprintedsheet.“Let’ssee.AsherandFionaarehelpinginthebathingroom.Whydon’tyoujointhemthere?Youknowwhereitis,don’tyou?”Jonasnodded,thankedher,andwalkeddownthelonghallway.

Heglancedintotheroomsoneitherside.TheOldweresittingquietly,somevisitingandtalkingwithoneanother,othersdoinghandworkandsimplecrafts.Afewwereasleep.Eachroomwascomfortablyfurnished,thefloorscoveredwiththickcarpeting.Itwasasereneandslow-pacedplace,unlikethebusycentersofmanufactureanddistributionwherethedailyworkofthecommunityoccurred.Jonaswasgladthathehad,overtheyears,chosentodohis

hoursinavarietyofplacessothathecouldexperiencethedifferences.Herealized,though,thatnotfocusingononeareameanthewasleftwithnottheslightestidea—notevenaguess—ofwhathisAssignmentwouldbe.Helaughedsoftly.ThinkingabouttheCeremonyagain,Jonas?


heteasedhimself.Buthesuspectedthatwiththedatesonear,probablyallofhisfriendswere,too.HepassedaCaretakerwalkingslowlywithoneoftheOldin

thehall.“Hello,Jonas,”theyounguniformedmansaid,smilingpleasantly.Thewomanbesidehim,whosearmheheld,washunchedoverassheshuffledalonginhersoftslippers.ShelookedtowardJonasandsmiled,butherdarkeyeswerecloudedandblank.Herealizedshewasblind.Heenteredthebathingroomwithitswarmmoistairandscent

ofcleansinglotions.Heremovedhistunic,hungitcarefullyonawallhook,andputonthevolunteer’ssmockthatwasfoldedonashelf.“Hi,Jonas!”Ashercalledfromthecornerwherehewas

kneelingbesideatub.JonassawFionanearby,atadifferenttub.Shelookedupandsmiledathim,butshewasbusy,gentlywashingamanwholayinthewarmwater.Jonasgreetedthemandthecaretakingattendantsatwork

nearby.ThenhewenttotherowofpaddedloungingchairswhereothersoftheOldwerewaiting.Hehadworkedherebefore;heknewwhattodo.“Yourturn,Larissa,”hesaid,readingthenametagonthe

woman’srobe.“I’lljuststartthewaterandthenhelpyouup.”Hepressedthebuttononanearbyemptytubandwatchedasthewarmwaterflowedinthroughthemanysmallopeningsonthesides.Thetubwouldbefilledinaminuteandthewaterflowwouldstopautomatically.Hehelpedthewomanfromthechair,ledhertothetub,

removedherrobe,andsteadiedherwithhishandonherarmasshesteppedinandloweredherself.Sheleanedbackandsighedwithpleasure,herheadonasoftcushionedheadrest."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“Comfortable?”heasked,andshenodded,hereyesclosed.Jonassqueezedcleansinglotionontothecleanspongeattheedgeofthetubandbegantowashherfrailbody.Lastnighthehadwatchedashisfatherbathedthenewchild.

Thiswasmuchthesame:thefragileskin,thesoothingwater,thegentlemotionofhishand,slipperywithsoap.Therelaxed,peacefulsmileonthewoman’sfaceremindedhimofGabrielbeingbathed.Andthenakedness,too.Itwasagainsttherulesforchildrenor

adultstolookatanother’snakedness;buttheruledidnotapplytonewchildrenortheOld.Jonaswasglad.Itwasanuisancetokeeponeselfcoveredwhilechangingforgames,andtherequiredapologyifonehadbymistakeglimpsedanother’sbodywasalwaysawkward.Hecouldn’tseewhyitwasnecessary.Helikedthefeelingofsafetyhereinthiswarmandquietroom;helikedtheexpressionoftrustonthewoman’sfaceasshelayinthewaterunprotected,exposed,andfree.FromthecornerofhiseyehecouldseehisfriendFionahelp

theoldmanfromthetubandtenderlypathisthin,nakedbodydrywithanabsorbentcloth.Shehelpedhimintohisrobe.JonasthoughtLarissahaddriftedintosleep,astheOldoften

did,andhewascarefultokeephismotionssteadyandgentlesohewouldn’twakeher.Hewassurprisedwhenshespoke,hereyesstillclosed.“ThismorningwecelebratedthereleaseofRoberto,”shetold

him.“Itwaswonderful.”“IknewRoberto!”Jonassaid.“Ihelpedwithhisfeedingthe

lasttimeIwashere,justafewweeksago.Hewasaveryinterestingman.”Larissaopenedhereyeshappily.“Theytoldhiswholelife


beforetheyreleasedhim,”shesaid.“Theyalwaysdo.Buttobehonest,”shewhisperedwithamischievouslook,“someofthetellingsarealittleboring.I’veevenseensomeoftheOldfallasleepduringtellings—whentheyreleasedEdnarecently.DidyouknowEdna?”Jonasshookhishead.Hecouldn’trecallanyonenamedEdna.“Well,theytriedtomakeherlifesoundmeaningful.Andof

course,”sheaddedprimly,“alllivesaremeaningful,Idon’tmeanthattheyaren’t.ButEdna.Mygoodness.ShewasaBirthmother,andthensheworkedinFoodProductionforyears,untilshecamehere.Sheneverevenhadafamilyunit.”Larissaliftedherheadandlookedaroundtomakesurenoone

elsewaslistening.Thensheconfided,“Idon’tthinkEdnawasverysmart.”Jonaslaughed.Herinsedherleftarm,laiditbackintothe

water,andbegantowashherfeet.Shemurmuredwithpleasureashemassagedherfeetwiththesponge.“ButRoberto’slifewaswonderful,”Larissawenton,aftera

moment.“HehadbeenanInstructorofElevens—youknowhowimportantthatis—andhe’dbeenonthePlanningCommittee.And—goodness,Idon’tknowhowhefoundthetime—healsoraisedtwoverysuccessfulchildren,andhewasalsotheonewhodidthelandscapingdesignfortheCentralPlaza.Hedidn’tdotheactuallabor,ofcourse.”“Nowyourback.LeanforwardandI’llhelpyousitup.”Jonas

puthisarmaroundherandsupportedherasshesat.Hesqueezedthespongeagainstherbackandbegantorubhersharp-bonedshoulders.“Tellmeaboutthecelebration.”“Well,therewasthetellingofhislife.Thatisalwaysfirst.

Thenthetoast.Weallraisedourglassesandcheered.We"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

chantedtheanthem.Hemadealovelygood-byespeech.Andseveralofusmadelittlespeecheswishinghimwell.Ididn’t,though.I’veneverbeenfondofpublicspeaking.“Hewasthrilled.Youshouldhaveseenthelookonhisface

whentheylethimgo.”Jonasslowedthestrokesofhishandonherbackthoughtfully.

“Larissa,”heasked,“whathappenswhentheymaketheactualrelease?WhereexactlydidRobertogo?”Sheliftedherbarewetshouldersinasmallshrug.“Idon’t

know.Idon’tthinkanybodydoes,exceptthecommittee.Hejustbowedtoallofusandthenwalked,liketheyalldo,throughthespecialdoorintheReleasingRoom.Butyoushouldhaveseenhislook.Purehappiness,I’dcallit.”Jonasgrinned.“IwishI’dbeentheretoseeit.”Larissafrowned.“Idon’tknowwhytheydon’tletchildren

come.Notenoughroom,Iguess.TheyshouldenlargetheReleasingRoom.”“We’llhavetosuggestthattothecommittee.Maybethey’d

studyit,”Jonassaidslyly,andLarissachortledwithlaughter.“Right!”shehooted,andJonashelpedherfromthetub.


Chapter5

USUALLY,atthemorningritualwhenthefamilymemberstoldtheirdreams,Jonasdidn’tcontributemuch.Herarelydreamed.Sometimesheawokewithafeelingoffragmentsafloatinhissleep,buthecouldn’tseemtograspthemandputthemtogetherintosomethingworthyoftellingattheritual.Butthismorningwasdifferent.Hehaddreamedveryvividly

thenightbefore.HismindwanderedwhileLily,asusual,recountedalengthy

dream,thisoneafrighteningoneinwhichshehad,againsttherules,beenridinghermother’sbicycleandbeencaughtbytheSecurityGuards.TheyalllistenedcarefullyanddiscussedwithLilythewarning

thatthedreamhadgiven.“Thankyouforyourdream,Lily.”Jonassaidthestandard

phraseautomatically,andtriedtopaybetterattentionwhilehismothertoldofadreamfragment,adisquietingscenewhereshehadbeenchastisedforaruleinfractionshedidn’tunderstand.Togethertheyagreedthatitprobablyresultedfromherfeelingswhenshehadreluctantlydealtpunishmenttothecitizenwhohadbrokenthemajorrulesasecondtime.Fathersaidthathehadhadnodreams.“Gabe?”Fatherasked,lookingdownatthebasketwherethe

newchildlaygurglingafterhisfeeding,readytobetakenbacktotheNurturingCenterfortheday.Theyalllaughed.Dream-tellingbeganwithThrees.If

newchildrendreamed,nooneknew.“Jonas?”Motherasked.Theyalwaysasked,thoughtheyknew


howrarelyJonashadadreamtotell.“Ididdreamlastnight,”Jonastoldthem.Heshiftedinhis

chair,frowning.“Good,”Fathersaid.“Tellus.”“Thedetailsaren’tclear,really,”Jonasexplained,tryingto

recreatetheodddreaminhismind.“IthinkIwasinthebathingroomattheHouseoftheOld.”“That’swhereyouwereyesterday,”Fatherpointedout.Jonasnodded.“Butitwasn’treallythesame.Therewasatub,

inthedream.Butonlyone.Andtherealbathingroomhasrowsandrowsofthem.Buttheroominthedreamwaswarmanddamp.AndIhadtakenoffmytunic,buthadn’tputonthesmock,somychestwasbare.Iwasperspiring,becauseitwassowarm.AndFionawasthere,thewayshewasyesterday.”“Asher,too?”Motherasked.Jonasshookhishead.“No.ItwasonlymeandFiona,alonein

theroom,standingbesidethetub.Shewaslaughing.ButIwasn’t.Iwasalmostalittleangryather,inthedream,becauseshewasn’ttakingmeseriously.”“Seriouslyaboutwhat?”Lilyasked.Jonaslookedathisplate.Forsomereasonthathedidn’t

understand,hefeltslightlyembarrassed.“IthinkIwastryingtoconvinceherthatsheshouldgetintothetubofwater.”Hepaused.Heknewhehadtotellitall,thatitwasnotonlyall

rightbutnecessarytotellallofadream.Soheforcedhimselftorelatethepartthatmadehimuneasy.“Iwantedhertotakeoffherclothesandgetintothetub,”he

explainedquickly.“Iwantedtobatheher.Ihadthespongeinmyhand.Butshewouldn’t.Shekeptlaughingandsayingno.”Helookedupathisparents.“That’sall,”hesaid.


“Canyoudescribethestrongestfeelinginyourdream,son?”Fatherasked.Jonasthoughtaboutit.Thedetailsweremurkyandvague.But

thefeelingswereclear,andfloodedhimagainnowashethought.“Thewanting,”hesaid.“Iknewthatshewouldn’t.AndIthinkIknewthatsheshouldn’t.ButIwanteditsoterribly.Icouldfeelthewantingallthroughme.”“Thankyouforyourdream,Jonas,”Mothersaidaftera

moment.SheglancedatFather.“Lily,”Fathersaid,“it’stimetoleaveforschool.Wouldyou

walkbesidemethismorningandkeepaneyeonthenewchild’sbasket?Wewanttobecertainhedoesn’twigglehimselfloose.”Jonasbegantorisetocollecthisschoolbooks.Hethoughtit

surprisingthattheyhadn’ttalkedabouthisdreamatlengthbeforethethankyou.Perhapstheyfounditasconfusingashehad.“Wait,Jonas,”Mothersaidgently.“I’llwriteanapologyto

yourinstructorsothatyouwon’thavetospeakoneforbeinglate.”Hesankbackdownintohischair,puzzled.HewavedtoFather

andLilyastheyleftthedwelling,carryingGabeinhisbasket.HewatchedwhileMothertidiedtheremainsofthemorningmealandplacedthetraybythefrontdoorfortheCollectionCrew.Finallyshesatdownbesidehimatthetable.“Jonas,”shesaid

withasmile,“thefeelingyoudescribedasthewanting?ItwasyourfirstStirrings.FatherandIhavebeenexpectingittohappentoyou.Ithappenstoeveryone.IthappenedtoFatherwhenhewasyourage.Andithappenedtome.ItwillhappensomedaytoLily."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“Andveryoften,”Motheradded,“itbeginswithadream.”Stirrings.Hehadheardthewordbefore.Herememberedthat

therewasareferencetotheStirringsintheBookofRules,thoughhedidn’trememberwhatitsaid.AndnowandthentheSpeakermentionedit.ATTENTION.AREMINDERTHATSTIRRINGSMUSTBEREPORTEDINORDERFORTREATMENTTOTAKEPLACE.Hehadalwaysignoredthatannouncementbecausehedidn’t

understanditandithadneverseemedtoapplytohiminanyway.Heignored,asmostcitizensdid,manyofthecommandsandremindersreadbytheSpeaker.“DoIhavetoreportit?”heaskedhismother.Shelaughed.“Youdid,inthedream-telling.That’senough.”“Butwhataboutthetreatment?TheSpeakersaysthat

treatmentmusttakeplace.”Jonasfeltmiserable.JustwhentheCeremonywasabouttohappen,hisCeremonyofTwelve,wouldhehavetogoawaysomeplacefortreatment?Justbecauseofastupiddream?Buthismotherlaughedagaininareassuring,affectionate

way.“No,no,”shesaid.“It’sjustthepills.You’rereadyforthepills,that’sall.That’sthetreatmentforStirrings.”Jonasbrightened.Heknewaboutthepills.Hisparentsboth

tookthemeachmorning.Andsomeofhisfriendsdid,heknew.OncehehadbeenheadingofftoschoolwithAsher,bothofthemontheirbikes,whenAsher’sfatherhadcalledfromtheirdwellingdoorway,“Youforgotyourpill,Asher!”Asherhadgroanedgood-naturedly,turnedhisbike,andriddenbackwhileJonaswaited.Itwasthesortofthingonedidn’taskafriendaboutbecauseit

mighthavefallenintothatuncomfortablecategoryof“beingdifferent.”Ashertookapilleachmorning;Jonasdidnot.Always


better,lessrude,totalkaboutthingsthatwerethesame.Nowheswallowedthesmallpillthathismotherhandedhim.“That’sall?”heasked.“That’sall,”shereplied,returningthebottletothecupboard.

“Butyoumustn’tforget.I’llremindyouforthefirstweeks,butthenyoumustdoitonyourown.Ifyouforget,theStirringswillcomeback.ThedreamsofStirringswillcomeback.Sometimesthedosagemustbeadjusted.”“Ashertakesthem,”Jonasconfided.Hismothernodded,unsurprised.“Manyofyourgroupmates

probablydo.Themales,atleast.Andtheyallwill,soon.Femalestoo.”“HowlongwillIhavetotakethem?”“UntilyouentertheHouseoftheOld,”sheexplained.“Allof

youradultlife.Butitbecomesroutine;afterawhileyouwon’tevenpaymuchattentiontoit.”Shelookedatherwatch.“Ifyouleaverightnow,youwon’t

evenbelateforschool.Hurryalong.“Andthankyouagain,Jonas,”sheadded,ashewenttothe

door,“foryourdream.”Pedalingrapidlydownthepath,Jonasfeltoddlyproudtohave

joinedthosewhotookthepills.Foramoment,though,herememberedthedreamagain.Thedreamhadfeltpleasurable.Thoughthefeelingswereconfused,hethoughtthathehadlikedthefeelingsthathismotherhadcalledStirrings.Herememberedthatuponwaking,hehadwantedtofeeltheStirringsagain.Then,inthesamewaythathisowndwellingslippedaway

behindhimasheroundedacorneronhisbicycle,thedreamslippedawayfromhisthoughts.Verybriefly,alittleguiltily,hetriedtograspitback.Butthefeelingshaddisappeared.The"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

Stirringsweregone.


Chapter6

“LILY,PLEASEHOLDSTILL,”Mothersaidagain.Lily,standinginfrontofher,fidgetedimpatiently.“Icantie

themmyself,”shecomplained.“Ialwayshave.”“Iknowthat,”Motherreplied,straighteningthehairribbons

onthelittlegirl’sbraids.“ButIalsoknowthattheyconstantlycomelooseandmoreoftenthannot,they’redanglingdownyourbackbyafternoon.Today,atleast,wewantthemtobeneatlytiedandtostayneatlytied.”“Idon’tlikehairribbons.I’mgladIonlyhavetowearthem

onemoreyear,”Lilysaidirritably.“NextyearIgetmybicycle,too,”sheaddedmorecheerfully.“Therearegoodthingseachyear,”Jonasremindedher.“This

yearyougettostartyourvolunteerhours.Andrememberlastyear,whenyoubecameaSeven,youweresohappytogetyourfront-buttonedjacket?”Thelittlegirlnoddedandlookeddownatherself,atthejacket

withitsrowoflargebuttonsthatdesignatedherasaSeven.Fours,Fives,andSixesallworejacketsthatfasteneddownthebacksothattheywouldhavetohelpeachotherdressandwouldlearninterdependence.Thefront-buttonedjacketwasthefirstsignofindependence,

thefirstveryvisiblesymbolofgrowingup.Thebicycle,atNine,wouldbethepowerfulemblemofmovinggraduallyoutintothecommunity,awayfromtheprotectivefamilyunit.Lilygrinnedandwriggledawayfromhermother.“Andthis

yearyougetyourAssignment,”shesaidtoJonasinanexcitedvoice.“IhopeyougetPilot.Andthatyoutakemeflying!”"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“SureIwill,”saidJonas.“AndI’llgetaspeciallittleparachutethatjustfitsyou,andI’lltakeyouupto,oh,maybetwentythousandfeet,andopenthedoor,and—”“Jonas,”Motherwarned.“Iwasonlyjoking,”Jonasgroaned.“Idon’twantPilot,

anyway.IfIgetPilotI’llputinanappeal.”“Comeon,”Mothersaid.ShegaveLily’sribbonsafinaltug.

“Jonas?Areyouready?Didyoutakeyourpill?IwanttogetagoodseatintheAuditorium.”SheproddedLilytothefrontdoorandJonasfollowed.ItwasashortridetotheAuditorium,Lilywavingtoher

friendsfromherseatonthebackofMother’sbicycle.JonasstowedhisbicyclebesideMother’sandmadehiswaythroughthethrongtofindhisgroup.TheentirecommunityattendedtheCeremonyeachyear.For

theparents,itmeanttwodaysholidayfromwork;theysattogetherinthehugehall.Childrensatwiththeirgroupsuntiltheywent,onebyone,tothestage.Father,though,wouldnotjoinMotherintheaudienceright

away.Fortheearliestceremony,theNaming,theNurturersbroughtthenewchildrentothestage.Jonas,fromhisplaceinthebalconywiththeElevens,searchedtheAuditoriumforaglimpseofFather.Itwasn’tatallhardtospottheNurturers’sectionatthefront;comingfromitwerethewailsandhowlsofthenewchildrenwhosatsquirmingontheNurturers’laps.Ateveryotherpublicceremony,theaudiencewassilentandattentive.Butonceayear,theyallsmiledindulgentlyatthecommotionfromthelittleoneswaitingtoreceivetheirnamesandfamilies.Jonasfinallycaughthisfather’seyeandwaved.Father

grinnedandwavedback,thenheldupthehandofthenewchild"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

onhislap,makingitwave,too.Itwasn’tGabriel.GabewasbackattheNurturingCenter

today,beingcaredforbythenightcrew.Hehadbeengivenanunusualandspecialreprievefromthecommittee,andgrantedanadditionalyearofnurturingbeforehisNamingandPlacement.FatherhadgonebeforethecommitteewithapleaonbehalfofGabriel,whohadnotyetgainedtheweightappropriatetohisdaysoflifenorbeguntosleepsoundlyenoughatnighttobeplacedwithhisfamilyunit.NormallysuchanewchildwouldbelabeledInadequateandreleasedfromthecommunity.Instead,asaresultofFather’splea,Gabrielhadbeenlabeled

Uncertainandgiventheadditionalyear.HewouldcontinuetobenurturedattheCenterandwouldspendhisnightswithJonas’sfamilyunit.Eachfamilymember,includingLily,hadbeenrequiredtosignapledgethattheywouldnotbecomeattachedtothislittletemporaryguest,andthattheywouldrelinquishhimwithoutprotestorappealwhenhewasassignedtohisownfamilyunitatnextyear’sCeremony.Atleast,Jonasthought,afterGabrielwasplacednextyear,

theywouldstillseehimoftenbecausehewouldbepartofthecommunity.Ifhewerereleased,theywouldnotseehimagain.Ever.Thosewhowerereleased—evenasnewchildren—weresentElsewhereandneverreturnedtothecommunity.Fatherhadnothadtoreleaseasinglenewchildthisyear,so

Gabrielwouldhaverepresentedarealfailureandsadness.EvenJonas,thoughhedidn’thoveroverthelittleonethewayLilyandhisfatherdid,wasgladthatGabehadnotbeenreleased.ThefirstCeremonybeganrightontime,andJonaswatchedas

oneafteranothereachnewchildwasgivenanameandhandedbytheNurturerstoitsnewfamilyunit.Forsome,itwasafirst"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

child.Butmanycametothestageaccompaniedbyanotherchildbeamingwithpridetoreceivealittlebrotherorsister,thewayJonashadwhenhewasabouttobeaFive.AsherpokedJonas’sarm.“RememberwhenwegotPhillipa?”

heaskedinaloudwhisper.Jonasnodded.Ithadonlybeenlastyear.Asher’sparentshadwaitedquitealongtimebeforeapplyingforasecondchild.Maybe,Jonassuspected,theyhadbeensoexhaustedbyAsher’slivelyfoolishnessthattheyhadneededalittletime.Twooftheirgroup,FionaandanotherfemalenamedThea,

weremissingtemporarily,waitingwiththeirparentstoreceivenewchildren.Butitwasrarethattherewassuchanagegapbetweenchildreninafamilyunit.Whenherfamily’sceremonywascompleted,Fionatookthe

seatthathadbeensavedforherintherowaheadofAsherandJonas.Sheturnedandwhisperedtothem,“He’scute.ButIdon’tlikehisnameverymuch.”Shemadeafaceandgiggled.Fiona’snewbrotherhadbeennamedBruno.Itwasn’tagreatname,Jonasthought,like—well,likeGabriel,forexample.Butitwasokay.Theaudienceapplause,whichwasenthusiasticateach

Naming,roseinanexuberantswellwhenoneparentalpair,glowingwithpride,tookamalenewchildandheardhimnamedCaleb.ThisnewCalebwasareplacementchild.Thecouplehadlost

theirfirstCaleb,acheerfullittleFour.Lossofachildwasvery,veryrare.Thecommunitywasextraordinarilysafe,eachcitizenwatchfulandprotectiveofallchildren.ButsomehowthefirstlittleCalebhadwanderedawayunnoticed,andhadfallenintotheriver.TheentirecommunityhadperformedtheCeremonyof"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

Losstogether,murmuringthenameCalebthroughoutanentireday,lessandlessfrequently,softerinvolume,asthelongandsomberdaywenton,sothatthelittleFourseemedtofadeawaygraduallyfromeveryone’sconsciousness.Now,atthisspecialNaming,thecommunityperformedthe

briefMurmur-of-ReplacementCeremony,repeatingthenameforthefirsttimesincetheloss:softlyandslowlyatfirst,thenfasterandwithgreatervolume,asthecouplestoodonthestagewiththenewchildsleepinginthemother’sarms.ItwasasifthefirstCalebwerereturning.AnothernewchildwasgiventhenameRoberto,andJonas

rememberedthatRobertotheOldhadbeenreleasedonlylastweek.ButtherewasnoMurmur-of-ReplacementCeremonyforthenewlittleRoberto.ReleasewasnotthesameasLoss.HesatpolitelythroughtheceremoniesofTwoandThreeand

Four,increasinglyboredashewaseachyear.Thenabreakformiddaymeal—servedoutdoors—andbackagaintotheseats,fortheFives,Sixes,Sevens,andfinally,lastofthefirstday’sceremonies,theEights.JonaswatchedandcheeredasLilymarchedproudlytothe

stage,becameanEightandreceivedtheidentifyingjacketthatshewouldwearthisyear,thisonewithsmallerbuttonsand,forthefirsttime,pockets,indicatingthatshewasmatureenoughnowtokeeptrackofherownsmallbelongings.ShestoodsolemnlylisteningtothespeechoffirminstructionsontheresponsibilitiesofEightanddoingvolunteerhoursforthefirsttime.ButJonascouldseethatLily,thoughsheseemedattentive,waslookinglonginglyattherowofgleamingbicycles,whichwouldbepresentedtomorrowmorningtotheNines.Nextyear,Lily-billy,Jonasthought.


Itwasanexhaustingday,andevenGabriel,retrievedinhisbasketfromtheNurturingCenter,sleptsoundlythatnight.FinallyitwasthemorningoftheCeremonyofTwelve.

NowFathersatbesideMotherintheaudience.JonascouldseethemapplaudingdutifullyastheNines,onebyone,wheeledtheirnewbicycles,eachwithitsgleamingnametagattachedtotheback,fromthestage.Heknewthathisparentscringedalittle,ashedid,whenFritz,wholivedinthedwellingnextdoortotheirs,receivedhisbikeandalmostimmediatelybumpedintothepodiumwithit.Fritzwasaveryawkwardchildwhohadbeensummonedforchastisementagainandagain.Histransgressionsweresmallones,always:shoesonthewrongfeet,schoolworkmisplaced,failuretostudyadequatelyforaquiz.Buteachsucherrorreflectednegativelyonhisparents’guidanceandinfringedonthecommunity’ssenseoforderandsuccess.JonasandhisfamilyhadnotbeenlookingforwardtoFritz’sbicycle,whichtheyrealizedwouldprobablytoooftenbedroppedonthefrontwalkinsteadofwheeledneatlyintoitsport.FinallytheNineswereallresettledintheirseats,eachhaving

wheeledabicycleoutsidewhereitwouldbewaitingforitsownerattheendoftheday.EveryonealwayschuckledandmadesmalljokeswhentheNinesrodehomeforthefirsttime.“Wantmetoshowyouhowtoride?”olderfriendswouldcall.“Iknowyou’veneverbeenonabikebefore!”ButinvariablythegrinningNines,whointechnicalviolationoftherulehadbeenpracticingsecretlyforweeks,wouldmountandrideoffinperfectbalance,trainingwheelsnevertouchingtheground.ThentheTens.JonasneverfoundtheCeremonyofTen

particularlyinteresting—onlytime-consuming,aseachchild’s"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

hairwassnippedneatlyintoitsdistinguishingcut:femaleslosttheirbraidsatTen,andmales,too,relinquishedtheirlongchildishhairandtookonthemoremanlyshortstylewhichexposedtheirears.Laborersmovedquicklytothestagewithbroomsandsweptawaythemoundsofdiscardedhair.JonascouldseetheparentsofthenewTensstirandmurmur,andheknewthatthisevening,inmanydwellings,theywouldbesnippingandstraighteningthehastilydonehaircuts,trimmingthemintoaneaterline.Elevens.ItseemedashorttimeagothatJonashadundergone

theCeremonyofEleven,butherememberedthatitwasnotoneofthemoreinterestingones.ByEleven,onewasonlywaitingtobeTwelve.Itwassimplyamarkingoftimewithnomeaningfulchanges.Therewasnewclothing:differentundergarmentsforthefemales,whosebodieswerebeginningtochange;andlongertrousersforthemales,withaspeciallyshapedpocketforthesmallcalculatorthattheywouldusethisyearinschool;butthoseweresimplypresentedinwrappedpackageswithoutanaccompanyingspeech.Breakformiddaymeal.Jonasrealizedhewashungry.Heand

hisgroupmatescongregatedbythetablesinfrontoftheAuditoriumandtooktheirpackagedfood.Yesterdaytherehadbeenmerrimentatlunch,alotofteasingandenergy.Buttodaythegroupstoodanxiously,separatefromtheotherchildren.JonaswatchedthenewNinesgravitatetowardtheirwaitingbicycles,eachoneadmiringhisorhernametag.HesawtheTensstrokingtheirnewshortenedhair,thefemalesshakingtheirheadstofeeltheunaccustomedlightnesswithouttheheavybraidstheyhadwornsolong.“Iheardaboutaguywhowasabsolutelycertainhewasgoing


tobeassignedEngineer,”Ashermutteredastheyate,“andinsteadtheygavehimSanitationLaborer.Hewentoutthenextday,jumpedintotheriver,swamacross,andjoinedthenextcommunityhecameto.Nobodyeversawhimagain.”Jonaslaughed.“Somebodymadethatstoryup,Ash,”hesaid.

“MyfathersaidheheardthatstorywhenhewasaTwelve.”ButAsherwasn’treassured.Hewaseyeingtheriverwhereit

wasvisiblebehindtheAuditorium.“Ican’tevenswimverywell,”hesaid.“MyswimminginstructorsaidthatIdon’thavetherightboyishnessorsomething.”“Buoyancy,”Jonascorrectedhim.“Whatever.Idon’thaveit.Isink.”“Anyway,”Jonaspointedout,“haveyoueveronceknownof

anyone—Imeanreallyknownforsure,Asher,notjustheardastoryaboutit—whojoinedanothercommunity?”“No,”Asheradmittedreluctantly.“Butyoucan.Itsayssoin

therules.Ifyoudon’tfitin,youcanapplyforElsewhereandbereleased.Mymothersaysthatonce,abouttenyearsago,someoneappliedandwasgonethenextday.”Thenhechuckled.“ShetoldmethatbecauseIwasdrivinghercrazy.ShethreatenedtoapplyforElsewhere.”“Shewasjoking.”“Iknow.Butitwastrue,whatshesaid,thatsomeonedidthat

once.Shesaidthatitwasreallytrue.Heretodayandgonetomorrow.Neverseenagain.NotevenaCeremonyofRelease.”Jonasshrugged.Itdidn’tworryhim.Howcouldsomeonenot

fitin?Thecommunitywassometiculouslyordered,thechoicessocarefullymade.EventheMatchingofSpouseswasgivensuchweighty

considerationthatsometimesanadultwhoappliedtoreceivea"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

spousewaitedmonthsorevenyearsbeforeaMatchwasapprovedandannounced.Allofthefactors—disposition,energylevel,intelligence,andinterests—hadtocorrespondandtointeractperfectly.Jonas’smother,forexample,hadhigherintelligencethanhisfather;buthisfatherhadacalmerdisposition.Theybalancedeachother.TheirMatch,whichlikeallMatcheshadbeenmonitoredbytheCommitteeofEldersforthreeyearsbeforetheycouldapplyforchildren,hadalwaysbeenasuccessfulone.LiketheMatchingofSpousesandtheNamingandPlacement

ofnewchildren,theAssignmentswerescrupulouslythoughtthroughbytheCommitteeofElders.HewascertainthathisAssignment,whateveritwastobe,and

Asher’stoo,wouldbetherightoneforthem.Heonlywishedthatthemiddaybreakwouldconclude,thattheaudiencewouldreentertheAuditorium,andthesuspensewouldend.Asifinanswertohisunspokenwish,thesignalcameandthe

crowdbegantomovetowardthedoors.


Chapter7

NOWJONAS’SGROUPhadtakenanewplaceintheAuditorium,tradingwiththenewElevens,sothattheysatintheveryfront,immediatelybeforethestage.Theywerearrangedbytheiroriginalnumbers,thenumbers

theyhadbeengivenatbirth.ThenumberswererarelyusedaftertheNaming.Buteachchildknewhisnumber,ofcourse.Sometimesparentsusedtheminirritationatachild’smisbehavior,indicatingthatmischiefmadeoneunworthyofaname.Jonasalwayschuckledwhenheheardaparent,exasperated,callsharplytoawhiningtoddler,“That’senough,Twenty-three!”JonaswasNineteen.Hehadbeenthenineteenthnewchildborn

hisyear.IthadmeantthatathisNaming,hehadbeenalreadystandingandbright-eyed,soontowalkandtalk.Ithadgivenhimaslightadvantagethefirstyearortwo,alittlemorematuritythanmanyofhisgroupmateswhohadbeenborninthelatermonthsofthatyear.Butitevenedout,asitalwaysdid,byThree.AfterThree,thechildrenprogressedatmuchthesamelevel,

thoughbytheirfirstnumberonecouldalwaystellwhowasafewmonthsolderthanothersinhisgroup.Technically,Jonas’sfullnumberwasEleven-nineteen,sincetherewereotherNineteens,ofcourse,ineachagegroup.Andtoday,nowthatthenewElevenshadbeenadvancedthismorning,thereweretwoEleven-nineteens.Atthemiddaybreakhehadexchangedsmileswiththenewone,ashyfemalenamedHarriet.Buttheduplicationwasonlyforthesefewhours.Verysoonhe

wouldnotbeanElevenbutaTwelve,andagewouldnolonger"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

matter.Hewouldbeanadult,likehisparents,thoughanewoneanduntrainedstill.AsherwasFour,andsatnowintherowaheadofJonas.He

wouldreceivehisAssignmentfourth.Fiona,Eighteen,wasonhisleft;onhisothersidesatTwenty,

amalenamedPierrewhomJonasdidn’tlikemuch.Pierrewasveryserious,notmuchfun,andaworrierandtattletale,too.“Haveyoucheckedtherules,Jonas?”Pierrewasalwayswhisperingsolemnly.“I’mnotsurethat’swithintherules.”Usuallyitwassomefoolishthingthatnoonecaredabout—openinghistunicifitwasadaywithabreeze;takingabrieftryonafriend’sbicycle,justtoexperiencethedifferentfeelofit.TheinitialspeechattheCeremonyofTwelvewasmadebythe

ChiefElder,theleaderofthecommunitywhowaselectedeverytenyears.Thespeechwasmuchthesameeachyear:recollectionofthetimeofchildhoodandtheperiodofpreparation,thecomingresponsibilitiesofadultlife,theprofoundimportanceofAssignment,theseriousnessoftrainingtocome.ThentheChiefEldermovedaheadinherspeech.“Thisisthetime,”shebegan,lookingdirectlyatthem,“when

weacknowledgedifferences.YouElevenshavespentallyouryearstillnowlearningtofitin,tostandardizeyourbehavior,tocurbanyimpulsethatmightsetyouapartfromthegroup.“Buttodaywehonoryourdifferences.Theyhavedetermined

yourfutures.”Shebegantodescribethisyear’sgroupanditsvarietyof

personalities,thoughshesinglednooneoutbyname.Shementionedthattherewasonewhohadsingularskillsatcaretaking,anotherwholovednewchildren,onewithunusualscientificaptitude,andafourthforwhomphysicallaborwasan"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

obviouspleasure.Jonasshiftedinhisseat,tryingtorecognizeeachreferenceasoneofhisgroupmates.ThecaretakingskillswerenodoubtthoseofFiona,onhisleft;herememberednoticingthetendernesswithwhichshehadbathedtheOld.ProbablytheonewithscientificaptitudewasBenjamin,themalewhohaddevisednew,importantequipmentfortheRehabilitationCenter.Heheardnothingthatherecognizedashimself,Jonas.FinallytheChiefElderpaidtributetothehardworkofher

committee,whichhadperformedtheobservationssometiculouslyallyear.TheCommitteeofEldersstoodandwasacknowledgedbyapplause.JonasnoticedAsheryawnslightly,coveringhismouthpolitelywithhishand.Then,atlast,theChiefEldercallednumberOnetothestage,

andtheAssignmentsbegan.Eachannouncementwaslengthy,accompaniedbyaspeech

directedatthenewTwelve.JonastriedtopayattentionasOne,smilinghappily,receivedherAssignmentasFishHatcheryAttendantalongwithwordsofpraiseforherchildhoodspentdoingmanyvolunteerhoursthere,andherobviousinterestintheimportantprocessofprovidingnourishmentforthecommunity.NumberOne—hernamewasMadeline—returned,finally,

amidstapplause,toherseat,wearingthenewbadgethatdesignatedherFishHatcheryAttendant.JonaswascertainlygladthatthatAssignmentwastaken;hewouldn’thavewantedit.ButhegaveMadelineasmileofcongratulation.WhenTwo,afemalenamedInger,receivedherAssignmentas

Birthmother,Jonasrememberedthathismotherhadcalleditajobwithouthonor.ButhethoughtthattheCommitteehadchosenwell.Ingerwasanicegirlthoughsomewhatlazy,andherbody"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

wasstrong.Shewouldenjoythethreeyearsofbeingpamperedthatwouldfollowherbrieftraining;shewouldgivebirtheasilyandwell;andthetaskofLaborerthatwouldfollowwoulduseherstrength,keepherhealthy,andimposeself-discipline.Ingerwassmilingwhensheresumedherseat.Birthmotherwasanimportantjob,iflackinginprestige.JonasnoticedthatAsherlookednervous.Hekeptturninghis

headandglancingbackatJonasuntilthegroupleaderhadtogivehimasilentchastisement,amotiontositstillandfaceforward.Three,Isaac,wasgivenanAssignmentasInstructorofSixes,

whichobviouslypleasedhimandwaswelldeserved.NowtherewerethreeAssignmentsgone,noneofthemonesthatJonaswouldhaveliked—notthathecouldhavebeenaBirthmother,anyway,herealizedwithamusement.Hetriedtosortthroughthelistinhismind,thepossibleAssignmentsthatremained.Butthereweresomanyhegaveitup;andanyway,nowitwasAsher’sturn.Hepaidstrictattentionashisfriendwenttothestageandstoodself-consciouslybesidetheChiefElder.“AllofusinthecommunityknowandenjoyAsher,”theChief

Elderbegan.Ashergrinnedandscratchedonelegwiththeotherfoot.Theaudiencechuckledsoftly.“WhenthecommitteebegantoconsiderAsher’sAssignment,”

shewenton,“thereweresomepossibilitiesthatwereimmediatelydiscarded.SomethatwouldclearlynothavebeenrightforAsher.“Forexample,”shesaid,smiling,“wedidnotconsiderforan

instantdesignatingAsheranInstructorofThrees.”Theaudiencehowledwithlaughter.Asherlaughed,too,

lookingsheepishbutpleasedatthespecialattention.The"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

InstructorsofThreeswereinchargeoftheacquisitionofcorrectlanguage.“Infact,”theChiefEldercontinued,chucklingalittleherself,

“weevengavealittlethoughttosomeretroactivechastisementfortheonewhohadbeenAsher’sInstructorofThreessolongago.AtthemeetingwhereAsherwasdiscussed,weretoldmanyofthestoriesthatweallrememberedfromhisdaysoflanguageacquisition.“Especially,”shesaid,chuckling,“thedifferencebetween

snackandsmack.Remember,Asher?”Ashernoddedruefully,andtheaudiencelaughedaloud.Jonas

did,too.Heremembered,thoughhehadbeenonlyaThreeatthetimehimself.Thepunishmentusedforsmallchildrenwasaregulated

systemofsmackswiththedisciplinewand:athin,flexibleweaponthatstungpainfullywhenitwaswielded.TheChildcarespecialistsweretrainedverycarefullyinthedisciplinemethods:aquicksmackacrossthehandsforabitofminormisbehavior;threesharpersmacksonthebarelegsforasecondoffense.PoorAsher,whoalwaystalkedtoofastandmixedupwords,

evenasatoddler.AsaThree,eagerforhisjuiceandcrackersatsnacktime,heonedaysaid“smack”insteadof“snack”ashestoodwaitinginlineforthemorningtreat.Jonasremembereditclearly.HecouldstillseelittleAsher,

wigglingwithimpatienceintheline.Herememberedthecheerfulvoicecallout,“Iwantmysmack!”TheotherThrees,includingJonas,hadlaughednervously.

“Snack!”theycorrected.“Youmeantsnack,Asher!”Butthemistakehadbeenmade.Andprecisionoflanguagewasoneofthemostimportanttasksofsmallchildren.Asherhadaskedfora"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

smack.Thedisciplinewand,inthehandoftheChildcareworker,

whistledasitcamedownacrossAsher’shands.Asherwhimpered,cringed,andcorrectedhimselfinstantly.“Snack,”hewhispered.Butthenextmorninghehaddoneitagain.Andagainthe

followingweek.Hecouldn’tseemtostop,thoughforeachlapsethedisciplinewandcameagain,escalatingtoaseriesofpainfullashesthatleftmarksonAsher’slegs.Eventually,foraperiodoftime,Asherstoppedtalkingaltogether,whenhewasaThree.“Forawhile,”theChiefEldersaid,relatingthestory,“wehad

asilentAsher!Buthelearned.”Sheturnedtohimwithasmile.“Whenhebegantotalkagain,

itwaswithgreaterprecision.Andnowhislapsesareveryfew.Hiscorrectionsandapologiesareveryprompt.Andhisgoodhumorisunfailing.”Theaudiencemurmuredinagreement.Asher’scheerfuldispositionwaswell-knownthroughoutthecommunity.“Asher.”Sheliftedhervoicetomaketheofficial

announcement.“WehavegivenyoutheAssignmentofAssistantDirectorofRecreation.”Sheclippedonhisnewbadgeashestoodbesideher,beaming.

Thenheturnedandleftthestageastheaudiencecheered.Whenhehadtakenhisseatagain,theChiefElderlookeddownathimandsaidthewordsthatshehadsaidnowfourtimes,andwouldsaytoeachnewTwelve.Somehowshegaveitspecialmeaningforeachofthem.“Asher,”shesaid,“thankyouforyourchildhood.”

TheAssignmentscontinued,andJonaswatchedandlistened,"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

relievednowbythewonderfulAssignmenthisbestfriendhadbeengiven.Buthewasmoreandmoreapprehensiveashisownapproached.NowthenewTwelvesintherowaheadhadallreceivedtheirbadges.Theywerefingeringthemastheysat,andJonasknewthateachonewasthinkingaboutthetrainingthatlayahead.Forsome—onestudiousmalehadbeenselectedasDoctor,afemaleasEngineer,andanotherforLawandJustice—itwouldbeyearsofhardworkandstudy.Others,likeLaborersandBirthmothers,wouldhaveamuchshortertrainingperiod.Eighteen,Fiona,onhisleft,wascalled.Jonasknewshemust

benervous,butFionawasacalmfemale.Shehadbeensittingquietly,serenely,throughouttheCeremony.Eventheapplause,thoughenthusiastic,seemedserenewhen

FionawasgiventheimportantAssignmentofCaretakeroftheOld.Itwasperfectforsuchasensitive,gentlegirl,andhersmilewassatisfiedandpleasedwhenshetookherseatbesidehimagain.Jonaspreparedhimselftowalktothestagewhentheapplause

endedandtheChiefElderpickedupthenextfolderandlookeddowntothegrouptocallforwardthenextnewTwelve.Hewascalmnowthathisturnhadcome.Hetookadeepbreathandsmoothedhishairwithhishand.“Twenty,”heheardhervoicesayclearly.“Pierre.”Sheskippedme,Jonasthought,stunned.Hadheheardwrong?

No.Therewasasuddenhushinthecrowd,andheknewthattheentirecommunityrealizedthattheChiefElderhadmovedfromEighteentoTwenty,leavingagap.Onhisright,Pierre,withastartledlook,rosefromhisseatandmovedtothestage.Amistake.Shemadeamistake.ButJonasknew,evenashe

hadthethought,thatshehadn’t.TheChiefEldermadeno"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

mistakes.NotattheCeremonyofTwelve.Hefeltdizzy,andcouldn’tfocushisattention.Hedidn’thear

whatAssignmentPierrereceived,andwasonlydimlyawareoftheapplauseastheboyreturned,wearinghisnewbadge.Then:Twenty-one.Twenty-two.Thenumberscontinuedinorder.Jonassat,dazed,asthey

movedintotheThirtiesandthentheForties,nearingtheend.Eachtime,ateachannouncement,hisheartjumpedforamoment,andhethoughtwildthoughts.Perhapsnowshewouldcallhisname.Couldhehaveforgottenhisownnumber?No.HehadalwaysbeenNineteen.HewassittingintheseatmarkedNineteen.Butshehadskippedhim.Hesawtheothersinhisgroup

glanceathim,embarrassed,andthenaverttheireyesquickly.Hesawaworriedlookonthefaceofhisgroupleader.Hehunchedhisshouldersandtriedtomakehimselfsmallerin

theseat.Hewantedtodisappear,tofadeaway,nottoexist.Hedidn’tdaretoturnandfindhisparentsinthecrowd.Hecouldn’tbeartoseetheirfacesdarkenedwithshame.Jonasbowedhisheadandsearchedthroughhismind.What

hadhedonewrong?


Chapter8

THEAUDIENCEwasclearlyillatease.TheyapplaudedatthefinalAssignment;buttheapplausewaspiecemeal,nolongeracrescendoofunitedenthusiasm.Thereweremurmursofconfusion.Jonasmovedhishandstogether,clapping,butitwasan

automatic,meaninglessgesturethathewasn’tevenawareof.Hismindhadshutoutalloftheearlieremotions:theanticipation,excitement,pride,andeventhehappykinshipwithhisfriends.Nowhefeltonlyhumiliationandterror.TheChiefElderwaiteduntiltheuneasyapplausesubsided.

Thenshespokeagain.“Iknow,”shesaidinhervibrant,graciousvoice,“thatyouare

allconcerned.ThatyoufeelIhavemadeamistake.”Shesmiled.Thecommunity,relievedfromitsdiscomfortvery

slightlybyherbenignstatement,seemedtobreathemoreeasily.Itwasverysilent.Jonaslookedup.“Ihavecausedyouanxiety,”shesaid.“Iapologizetomy

community.”Hervoiceflowedovertheassembledcrowd.“Weacceptyourapology,”theyallutteredtogether.“Jonas,”shesaid,lookingdownathim,“Iapologizetoyouin

particular.Icausedyouanguish.”“Iacceptyourapology,”Jonasrepliedshakily.“Pleasecometothestagenow.”Earlierthatday,dressinginhisowndwelling,hehadpracticed

thekindofjaunty,self-assuredwalkthathehopedhecouldmaketothestagewhenhisturncame.Allofthatwasforgotten"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

now.Hesimplywilledhimselftostand,tomovehisfeetthatfeltweightedandclumsy,togoforward,upthestepsandacrosstheplatformuntilhestoodatherside.Reassuringlysheplacedherarmacrosshistenseshoulders.“Jonashasnotbeenassigned,”sheinformedthecrowd,and

hisheartsank.Thenshewenton.“Jonashasbeenselected.”Heblinked.Whatdidthatmean?Hefeltacollective,

questioningstirfromtheaudience.They,too,werepuzzled.Inafirm,commandingvoicesheannounced,“Jonashasbeen

selectedtobeournextReceiverofMemory.”Thenheheardthegasp—thesuddenintakeofbreath,drawn

sharplyinastonishment,byeachoftheseatedcitizens.Hesawtheirfaces;theeyeswidenedinawe.Andstillhedidnotunderstand.“Suchaselectionisvery,veryrare,”theChiefEldertoldthe

audience.“OurcommunityhasonlyoneReceiver.Itishewhotrainshissuccessor.“WehavehadourcurrentReceiverforaverylongtime,”she

wenton.JonasfollowedhereyesandsawthatshewaslookingatoneoftheElders.TheCommitteeofElderswassittingtogetherinagroup;andtheChiefElder’seyeswerenowononewhosatinthemidstbutseemedoddlyseparatefromthem.ItwasamanJonashadnevernoticedbefore,abeardedmanwithpaleeyes.HewaswatchingJonasintently.“Wefailedinourlastselection,”theChiefEldersaid

solemnly.“Itwastenyearsago,whenJonaswasjustatoddler.Iwillnotdwellontheexperiencebecauseitcausesusallterriblediscomfort.”Jonasdidn’tknowwhatshewasreferringto,buthecould


sensethediscomfortoftheaudience.Theyshifteduneasilyintheirseats.“Wehavenotbeenhastythistime,”shecontinued.“Wecould

notaffordanotherfailure.”“Sometimes,”shewenton,speakingnowinalightertone,

relaxingthetensionintheAuditorium,“wearenotentirelycertainabouttheAssignments,evenafterthemostpainstakingobservations.Sometimesweworrythattheoneassignedmightnotdevelop,throughtraining,everyattributenecessary.Elevensarestillchildren,afterall.Whatweobserveasplayfulnessandpatience—therequirementstobecomeNurturer—could,withmaturity,berevealedassimplyfoolishnessandindolence.Sowecontinuetoobserveduringtraining,andtomodifybehaviorwhennecessary.“ButtheReceiver-in-trainingcannotbeobserved,cannotbe

modified.Thatisstatedquiteclearlyintherules.Heistobealone,apart,whileheispreparedbythecurrentReceiverforthejobwhichisthemosthonoredinourcommunity.”Alone?Apart?Jonaslistenedwithincreasingunease.“Thereforetheselectionmustbesound.Itmustbea

unanimouschoiceoftheCommittee.Theycanhavenodoubts,howeverfleeting.If,duringtheprocess,anElderreportsadreamofuncertainty,thatdreamhasthepowertosetacandidateasideinstantly.“JonaswasidentifiedasapossibleReceivermanyyearsago.

Wehaveobservedhimmeticulously.Therewerenodreamsofuncertainty.“HehasshownallofthequalitiesthataReceivermusthave.”Withherhandstillfirmlyonhisshoulder,theChiefElder

listedthequalities."******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

“Intelligence,”shesaid.“WeareallawarethatJonashasbeenatopstudentthroughouthisschooldays.“Integrity,”shesaidnext.“Jonashas,likeallofus,committed

minortransgressions.”Shesmiledathim.“Weexpectthat.Wehoped,also,thathewouldpresenthimselfpromptlyforchastisement,andhehasalwaysdoneso.“Courage,”shewenton.“Onlyoneofusheretodayhasever

undergonetherigoroustrainingrequiredofaReceiver.He,ofcourse,isthemostimportantmemberoftheCommittee:thecurrentReceiver.Itwashewhoremindedus,againandagain,ofthecouragerequired.“Jonas,”shesaid,turningtohim,butspeakinginavoicethat

theentirecommunitycouldhear,“thetrainingrequiredofyouinvolvespain.Physicalpain.”


Hefeltfearflutterwithinhim.“Youhaveneverexperiencedthat.Yes,youhavescrapedyour

kneesinfallsfromyourbicycle.Yes,youcrushedyourfingerinadoorlastyear.”Jonasnodded,agreeing,asherecalledtheincident,andits

accompanyingmisery.“Butyouwillbefaced,now,”sheexplainedgently,“withpain

ofamagnitudethatnoneofusherecancomprehendbecauseitisbeyondourexperience.TheReceiverhimselfwasnotabletodescribeit,onlytoremindusthatyouwouldbefacedwithit,thatyouwouldneedimmensecourage.Wecannotprepareyouforthat.“Butwefeelcertainthatyouarebrave,”shesaidtohim.Hedidnotfeelbraveatall.Notnow.“Thefourthessentialattribute,”theChiefEldersaid,“is

wisdom.Jonashasnotyetacquiredthat.Theacquisitionofwisdomwillcomethroughhistraining.“WeareconvincedthatJonashastheabilitytoacquire

wisdom.Thatiswhatwelookedfor.“Finally,TheReceivermusthaveonemorequality,anditis

onewhichIcanonlyname,butnotdescribe.Idonotunderstandit.Youmembersofthecommunitywillnotunderstandit,either.PerhapsJonaswill,becausethecurrentReceiverhastoldusthatJonasalreadyhasthisquality.HecallsittheCapacitytoSeeBeyond.”TheChiefElderlookedatJonaswithaquestioninhereyes.

Theaudiencewatchedhim,too.Theyweresilent.Foramomenthefroze,consumedwithdespair.Hedidn’thave

it,thewhatever-she-had-said.Hedidn’tknowwhatitwas.Nowwasthemomentwhenhewouldhavetoconfess,tosay,“No,I"******ebookconverterDEMO-www.ebook-converter.com*******"

don’t.Ican’t,”andthrowhimselfontheirmercy,asktheirforgiveness,toexplainthathehadbeenwronglychosen,thathewasnottherightoneatall.Butwhenhelookedoutacrossthecrowd,theseaoffaces,the

thinghappenedagain.Thethingthathadhappenedwiththeapple.Theychanged.Heblinked,anditwasgone.Hisshouldersstraightened

slightly.Brieflyhefeltatinysliverofsurenessforthefirsttime.Shewasstillwatchinghim.Theyallwere.“Ithinkit’strue,”hetoldtheChiefElderandthecommunity.

“Idon’tunderstandityet.Idon’tknowwhatitis.ButsometimesIseesomething.Andmaybeit’sbeyond.”Shetookherarmfromhisshoulders.“Jonas,”shesaid,speakingnottohimalonebuttotheentire

communityofwhichhewasapart,“youwillbetrainedtobeournextReceiverofMemory.Wethankyouforyourchildhood.”Thensheturnedandleftthestage,lefthimtherealone,

standingandfacingthecrowd,whichbeganspontaneouslythecollectivemurmurofhisname.“Jonas.”Itwasawhisperatfirst:hushed,barelyaudible.

“Jonas.Jonas.”Thenlouder,faster.“JONAS.JONAS.JONAS.”Withthechant,Jonasknew,thecommunitywasacceptinghim

andhisnewrole,givinghimlife,thewaytheyhadgivenittothenewchildCaleb.Hisheartswelledwithgratitudeandpride.Butatthesametimehewasfilledwithfear.Hedidnotknow

whathisselectionmeant.Hedidnotknowwhathewastobecome.Orwhatwouldbecomeofhim.


Chapter9

NOW,forthefirsttimeinhistwelveyearsoflife,Jonasfeltseparate,different.HerememberedwhattheChiefElderhadsaid:thathistrainingwouldbealoneandapart.Buthistraininghadnotyetbegunandalready,uponleaving

theAuditorium,hefelttheapartness.Holdingthefoldershehadgivenhim,hemadehiswaythroughthethrong,lookingforhisfamilyunitandforAsher.Peoplemovedasideforhim.Theywatchedhim.Hethoughthecouldhearwhispers.“Ash!”hecalled,spottinghisfriendneartherowsofbicycles.

“Ridebackwithme?”“Sure.”Ashersmiled,hisusualsmile,friendlyandfamiliar.

ButJonasfeltamomentofhesitationfromhisfriend,anuncertainty.“Congratulations,”Ashersaid.“Youtoo,”Jonasreplied.“Itwasreallyfunny,whenshetold

aboutthesmacks.Yougotmoreapplausethanalmostanybodyelse.”TheothernewTwelvesclusterednearby,placingtheirfolders

carefullyintothecarryingcontainersonthebacksofthebikes.Ineachdwellingtonighttheywouldbestudyingtheinstructionsforthebeginningoftheirtraining.Eachnightforyearsthechildrenhadmemorizedtherequiredlessonsforschool,oftenyawningwithboredom.TonighttheywouldallbegineagerlytomemorizetherulesfortheiradultAssignments.“Congratulations,Asher!”someonecalled.Thenthat

hesitationagain.“Youtoo,Jonas!”AsherandJonasrespondedwithcongratulationstotheir


groupmates.Jonassawhisparentswatchinghimfromtheplacewheretheirownbicycleswerewaiting.Lilyhadalreadybeenstrappedintoherseat.Hewaved.Theywavedback,smiling,buthenoticedthatLily

waswatchinghimsolemnly,herthumbinhermouth.Herodedirectlytohisdwelling,exchangingonlysmalljokes

andunimportantremarkswithAsher.“Seeyouinthemorning,RecreationDirector!”hecalled,

dismount

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