English
Read chapter 1 of the Giver and answer the following questions.
1. What did the word “frightened” mean, according to Jonas?
2. What were Jonas and the toehr children taught to be careful about?
3. How did Jonas decide he felt? What was causing this feeling?
The Giver
Lois Lowry
Houghton Mifflin Company
Boston
For all the children
To whom we entrust the future
The Giver
1
It was almost December, and Jonas was beginning to be
frightened. No. Wrong word, Jonas thought. Frightened meant
that deep, sickening feeling of something terrible about to
happen. Frightened was the way he had felt a year ago when an
unidentified aircraft had overflown the community twice. He
had seen it both times. Squinting toward the sky, he had seen
the sleek jet, almost a blur at its high speed, go past, and a
second later heard the blast of sound that followed. Then one
more time, a moment later, from the opposite direction, the
same plane.
At first, he had been only fascinated. He had never seen
aircraft so close, for it was against the rules for Pilots to fly
over the community. Occasionally, when supplies were de-
livered by cargo planes to the landing field across the river, the
children rode their bicycles to the riverbank and watched,
intrigued, the unloading and then the takeoff directed to the
west, always away from the community.
But the aircraft a year ago had been different. It was not a
squat, fat-bellied cargo plane but a needle-nosed single-pilot
jet. Jonas, looking around anxiously, had seen others adults
as well as children stop what they were doing and wait,
confused, for an explanation of the frightening event.
1
Then all of the citizens had been ordered to go into the
nearest building and stay there. IMMEDIATELY, the rasping
voice through the speakers had said. LEAVE YOUR BICY-
CLES WHERE THEY ARE.
Instantly, obediently, Jonas had dropped his bike on its
side on the path behind his familys dwelling. He had run
indoors and stayed there, alone. His parents were both at
work, and his little sister, Lily, was at the Childcare Center
where she spent her after-school hours.
Looking through the front window, he had seen no
people: none of the busy afternoon crew of Street Cleaners,
Landscape Workers, and Food Delivery people who usually
populated the community at that time of day. He saw only
the abandoned bikes here and there on their sides; an
upturned wheel on one was still revolving slowly.
He had been frightened then. The sense of his own
community silent, waiting, had made his stomach churn. He
had trembled.
But it had been nothing. Within minutes the speakers had
crackled again, and the voice, reassuring now and less
urgent, had explained that a Pilot-in-Training had misread
his navigational instructions and made a wrong turn. Des-
perately the Pilot had been trying to make his way back
before his error was noticed.
NEEDLESS TO SAY, HE WILL BE RELEASED, the voice
had said, followed by silence. There was an ironic tone to
that final message, as if the Speaker found it amusing; and
Jonas had smiled a little, though he knew what a grim
statement it had been. For a contributing citizen to be re-
leased from the community was a final decision, a terrible
punishment, an overwhelming statement of failure.
2
Even the children were scolded if they used the term
lightly at play, jeering at a teammate who missed a catch or
stumbled in a race. Jonas had done it once, had shouted at
his best friend, Thats it, Asher! Youre released! when
Ashers clumsy error had lost a match for his team. He had
been taken aside for a brief and serious talk by the coach,
had hung his head with guilt and embarrassment, and
apologized to Asher after the game.
Now, thinking about the feeling of fear as he pedaled
home along the river path, he remembered that moment of
palpable, stomach-sinking terror when the aircraft had
streaked above. It was not what he was feeling now with
December approaching. He searched for the right word to
describe his own feeling.
Jonas was careful about language. Not like his friend,
Asher, who talked too fast and mixed things up, scrambling
words and phrases until they were barely recognizable and
often very funny.
Jonas grinned, remembering the morning that Asher had
dashed into the classroom, late as usual, arriving
breathlessly in the middle of the chanting of the morning
anthem. When the class took their seats at the conclusion of
the patriotic hymn, Asher remained standing to make his
public apology as was required.
I apologize for inconveniencing my learning commu-
nity. Asher ran through the standard apology phrase rap-
idly, still catching his breath. The Instructor and class
waited patiently for his explanation. The students had all
been grinning, because they had listened to Ashers expla-
nations so many times before.
I left home at the correct time but when I was riding
3
along near the hatchery, the crew was separating some
salmon. I guess I just got distraught, watching them.
I apologize to my classmates, Asher concluded. He
smoothed his rumpled tunic and sat down.
We accept your apology, Asher. The class recited the
standard response in unison. Many of the students were
biting their lips to keep from laughing.
I accept your apology, Asher, the Instructor said. He
was smiling. And I thank you, because once again you
have provided an opportunity for a lesson in language.
Distraught is too strong an adjective to describe salmon-
viewing. He turned and wrote distraught on the in-
structional board. Beside it he wrote distracted.
Jonas, nearing his home now, smiled at the recollection.
Thinking, still, as he wheeled his bike into its narrow port
beside the door, he realized that frightened was the wrong
word to describe his feelings, now that December was al-
most here. It was too strong an adjective.
He had waited a long time for this special December.
Now that it was almost upon him, he wasnt frightened, but
he was . . . eager, he decided. He was eager for it to come.
And he was excited, certainly. All of the Elevens were
excited about the event that would be coming so soon.
But there was a little shudder of nervousness when he
thought about it, about what might happen.
Apprehensive, Jonas decided. Thats what I am.
Who wants to be the first tonight, for feelings? Jonass
father asked, at the conclusion of their evening meal.
It was one of the rituals, the evening telling of feelings.
4
Sometimes Jonas and his sister, Lily, argued over turns,
over who would get to go first. Their parents, of course,
were part of the ritual; they, too, told their feelings each
evening. But like all parents all adults they didnt
fight and wheedle for their turn.
Nor did Jonas, tonight. His feelings were too compli-
cated this evening. He wanted to share them, but he wasnt
eager to begin the process of sifting through his own
complicated emotions, even with the help that he knew his
parents could give.
You go, Lily, he said, seeing his sister, who was much
younger only a Seven wiggling with impatience in
her chair.
I felt very angry this afternoon, Lily announced. My
Childcare group was at the play area, and we had a visiting
group of Sevens, and they didnt obey the rules at all. One
of them a male; I dont know his name kept going
right to the front of the line for the slide, even though the
rest of us were all waiting. I felt so angry at him. I made my
hand into a fist, like this. She held up a clenched fist and
the rest of the family smiled at her small defiant gesture.
Why do you think the visitors didnt obey the rules?
Mother asked.
Lily considered, and shook her head. I dont know.
They acted like . . . like …
Animals? Jonas suggested. He laughed.
Thats right, Lily said, laughing too. Like animals.
Neither child knew what the word meant, exactly, but it
was often used to describe someone uneducated or clumsy,
someone who didnt fit in.
5
Where were the visitors from? Father asked.
Lily frowned, trying to remember. Our leader told us,
when he made the welcome speech, but I cant remember.
I guess I wasnt paying attention. It was from another
community. They had to leave very early, and they had
their midday meal on the bus.
Mother nodded. Do you think its possible that their
rules may be different? And so they simply didnt know
what your play area rules were?
Lily shrugged, and nodded. I suppose.
Youve visited other communities, havent you? Jonas
asked. My group has, often.
Lily nodded again. When we were Sixes, we went and
shared a whole school day with a group of Sixes in their
community.
How did you feel when you were there?
Lily frowned. I felt strange. Because their methods
were different. They were learning usages that my group
hadnt learned yet, so we felt stupid.
Father was listening with interest. Im thinking, Lily,
he said, about the boy who didnt obey the rules today.
Do you think its possible that he felt strange and stupid,
being in a new place with rules that he didnt know
about?
Lily pondered that. Yes, she said, finally.
I feel a little sorry for him, Jonas said, even though I
dont even know him. I feel sorry for anyone who is in a
place where he feels strange and stupid.
How do you feel now, Lily? Father asked. Still
angry?
I guess not, Lily decided. I guess I feel a little sorry
for him. And sorry I made a fist. She grinned.
6
Jonas smiled back at his sister. Lilys feelings were
always straightforward, fairly simple, usually easy to re-
solve. He guessed that his own had been, too, when he was
a Seven.
He listened politely, though not very attentively, while
his father took his turn, describing a feeling of worry that
hed had that day at work: a concern about one of the
newchildren who wasnt doing well. Jonass fathers title
was Nurturer. He and the other Nurturers were responsible
for all the physical and emotional needs of every new-child
during its earliest life. It was a very important job, Jonas
knew, but it wasnt one that interested him much.
What gender is it? Lily asked.
Male, Father said. Hes a sweet little male with a
lovely disposition. But he isnt growing as fast as he
should, and he doesnt sleep soundly. We have him in the
extra care section for supplementary nurturing, but the
committees beginning to talk about releasing him.
Oh, no, Mother murmured sympathetically. I know
how sad that must make you feel.
Jonas and Lily both nodded sympathetically as well.
Release of newchildren was always sad, because they
hadnt had a chance to enjoy life within the community yet.
And they hadnt done anything wrong.
There were only two occasions of release which were not
punishment. Release of the elderly, which was a time of
celebration for a life well and fully lived; and release of a
newchild, which always brought a sense of what-could-we-
have-done. This was especially troubling for the Nurturers,
like Father, who felt they had failed somehow. But it
happened very rarely.
Well, Father said, Im going to keep trying. I may
7
ask the committee for permission to bring him here at night,
if you dont mind. You know what the night-crew Nurturers
are like. I think this little guy needs something extra.
Of course, Mother said, and Jonas and Lily nodded.
They had heard Father complain about the night crew be-
fore. It was a lesser job, night-crew nurturing, assigned to
those who lacked the interest or skills or insight for the
more vital jobs of the daytime hours. Most of the people on
the night crew had not even been given spouses because
they lacked, somehow, the essential capacity to connect to
others, which was required for the creation of a family unit.
Maybe we could even keep him, Lily suggested
sweetly, trying to look innocent. The look was fake, Jonas
knew; they all knew.
Lily, Mother reminded her, smiling, you know the
rules.
Two children one male, one female to each family
unit. It was written very clearly in the rules.
Lily giggled. Well, she said, I thought maybe just this
once.
Next, Mother, who held a prominent position at the De-
partment of Justice, talked about her feelings. Today a re-
peat offender had been brought before her, someone who
had broken the rules before. Someone who she hoped had
been adequately and fairly punished, and who had been
restored to his place: to his job, his home, his family unit.
To see him brought before her a second time caused her
overwhelming feelings of frustration and anger. And even
8
guilt, that she hadnt made a difference in his life.
I feel frightened, too, for him, she confessed. You
know that theres no third chance. The rules say that if
theres a third transgression, he simply has to be released.
Jonas shivered. He knew it happened. There was even a boy
in his group of Elevens whose father had been released years
before. No one ever mentioned it; the disgrace was
unspeakable. It was hard to imagine.
Lily stood up and went to her mother. She stroked her
mothers arm.
From his place at the table, Father reached over and took
her hand. Jonas reached for the other.
One by one, they comforted her. Soon she smiled,
thanked them, and murmured that she felt soothed.
The ritual continued. Jonas? Father asked. Youre
last, tonight.
Jonas sighed. This evening he almost would have pre-
ferred to keep his feelings hidden. But it was, of course,
against the rules.
Im feeling apprehensive, he confessed, glad that the
appropriate descriptive word had finally come to him.
Why is that, son? His father looked concerned.
I know theres really nothing to worry about, Jonas
explained, and that every adult has been through it. I know
you have, Father, and you too, Mother. But its the
Ceremony that Im apprehensive about. Its almost De-
cember.
Lily looked up, her eyes wide. The Ceremony of
Twelve, she whispered in an awed voice. Even the small-
est children Lilys age and younger knew that it lay
in the future for each of them.
9
I m glad you told us of your feelings, Father said.
Lily, Mother said, beckoning to the little girl, Go on
now and get into your nightclothes. Father and I are going
to stay here and talk to Jonas for a while.
Lily sighed, but obediently she got down from her chair.
Privately? she asked.
Mother nodded. Yes, she said, this talk will be a
private one with Jonas.
10
2
Jonas watched as his father poured a fresh cup of coffee. He
waited.
You know, his father finally said, every December
was exciting to me when I was young. And it has been for
you and Lily, too, Im sure. Each December brings such
changes.
Jonas nodded. He could remember the Decembers back to
when he had become, well, probably a Four. The earlier ones
were lost to him. But he observed them each year, and he
remembered Lilys earliest Decembers. He remembered
when his family received Lily, the day she was named, the
day that she had become a One.
The Ceremony for the Ones was always noisy and fun.
Each December, all the newchildren born in the previous
year turned One. One at a time there were always fifty in
each years group, if none had been released they had
been brought to the stage by the Nurturers who had cared for
them since birth. Some were already walking, wobbly on
their unsteady legs; others were no more than a few days old,
wrapped in blankets, held by their Nurturers.
I enjoy the Naming, Jonas said.
His mother agreed, smiling. The year we got Lily, we
11
knew, of course, that wed receive our female, because
wed made our application and been approved. But Id been
wondering and wondering what her name would be.
I could have sneaked a look at the list prior to the cer-
emony, Father confided. The committee always makes
the list in advance, and its right there in the office at the
Nurturing Center.
As a matter of fact, he went on, I feel a little guilty
about this. But I did go in this afternoon and looked to see
if this years Naming list had been made yet. It was right
there in the office, and I looked up number Thirty-six
thats the little guy Ive been concerned about because it
occurred to me that it might enhance his nurturing if I could
call him by a name. Just privately, of course, when no one
else is around.
Did you find it? Jonas asked. He was fascinated. It
didnt seem a terribly important rule, but the fact that his
father had broken a rule at all awed him. He glanced at his
mother, the one responsible for adherence to the rules, and
was relieved that she was smiling.
His father nodded. His name if he makes it to the
Naming without being released, of course is to be Ga-
briel. So I whisper that to him when I feed him every four
hours, and during exercise and playtime. If no one can hear
me.
I call him Gabe, actually, he said, and grinned.
Gabe. Jonas tried it out. A good name, he decided.
Though Jonas had only become a Five the year that they
acquired Lily and learned her name, he remembered the
excitement, the conversations at home, wondering about
her: how she would look, who she would be, how
12
she would fit into their established family unit. He re-
membered climbing the steps to the stage with his parents,
his father by his side that year instead of with the Nur-
turers, since it was the year that he would be given a new-
child of his own.
He remembered his mother taking the newchild, his
sister, into her arms, while the document was read to the
assembled family units. Newchild Twenty-three, the
Namer had read. Lily.
He remembered his fathers look of delight, and that his
father had whispered, Shes one of my favorites. I was
hoping for her to be the one. The crowd had clapped, and
Jonas had grinned. He liked his sisters name. Lily, barely
awake, had waved her small fist. Then they had stepped
down to make room for the next family unit.
When I was an Eleven, his father said now, as you
are, Jonas, I was very impatient, waiting for the Ceremony
of Twelve. Its a long two days. I remember that I enjoyed
the Ones, as I always do, but that I didnt pay much at-
tention to the other ceremonies, except for my sisters. She
became a Nine that year, and got her bicycle. Id been
teaching her to ride mine, even though technically I wasnt
supposed to.
Jonas laughed. It was one of the few rules that was not
taken very seriously and was almost always broken. The
children all received their bicycles at Nine; they were not
allowed to ride bicycles before then. But almost always, the
older brothers and sisters had secretly taught the younger
ones. Jonas had been thinking already about teaching Lily.
There was talk about changing the rule and giving the
bicycles at an earlier age. A committee was studying
13
the idea. When something went to a committee for study,
the people always joked about it. They said that the com-
mittee members would become Elders by the time the rule
change was made.
Rules were very hard to change. Sometimes, if it was a
very important rule unlike the one governing the age for
bicycles it would have to go, eventually, to The Re-
ceiver for a decision. The Receiver was the most important
Elder. Jonas had never even seen him, that he knew of;
someone in a position of such importance lived and worked
alone. But the committee would never bother The Receiver
with a question about bicycles; they would simply fret and
argue about it themselves for years, until the citizens forgot
that it had ever gone to them for study.
His father continued. So I watched and cheered when
my sister, Katya, became a Nine and removed her hair
ribbons and got her bicycle, Father went on. Then I didnt
pay much attention to the Tens and Elevens. And finally, at
the end of the second day, which seemed to go on forever, it
was my turn. It was the Ceremony of Twelve.
Jonas shivered. He pictured his father, who must have
been a shy and quiet boy, for he was a shy and quiet man,
seated with his group, waiting to be called to the stage.
The Ceremony of Twelve was the last of the Ceremonies.
The most important.
I remember how proud my parents looked and my
sister, too; even though she wanted to be out riding the bi-
cycle publicly, she stopped fidgeting and was very still and
attentive when my turn came.
But to be honest, Jonas, his father said, for me there
14
was not the element of suspense that there is with your
Ceremony. Because I was already fairly certain of what my
Assignment was to be.
Jonas was surprised. There was no way, really, to know
in advance. It was a secret selection, made by the leaders of
the community, the Committee of Elders, who took the
responsibility so seriously that there were never even any
jokes made about Assignments.
His mother seemed surprised, too. How could you have
known? she asked.
His father smiled his gentle smile. Well, it was clear to
me and my parents later confessed that it had been ob-
vious to them, too what my aptitude was. I had always
loved the newchildren more than anything. When my
friends in my age group were holding bicycle races, or
building toy vehicles or bridges with their construction
sets, or
All the things I do with my friends, Jonas pointed out,
and his mother nodded in agreement.
I always participated, of course, because as children we
must experience all of those things. And I studied hard in
school, as you do, Jonas. But again and again, during free
time, I found myself drawn to the newchildren. I spent al-
most all of my volunteer hours helping in the Nurturing
Center. Of course the Elders knew that, from their obser-
vation.
Jonas nodded. During the past year he had been aware of
the increasing level of observation. In school, at recreation
time, and during volunteer hours, he had noticed the Elders
watching him and the other Elevens. He had seen them
taking notes. He knew, too, that the Elders were
15
meeting for long hours with all of the instructors that he
and the other Elevens had had during their years of school.
So I expected it, and I was pleased, but not at all sur-
prised, when my Assignment was announced as Nurturer,
Father explained.
Did everyone applaud, even though they werent sur-
prised? Jonas asked.
Oh, of course. They were happy for me, that my As-
signment was what I wanted most. I felt very fortunate.
His father smiled.
Were any of the Elevens disappointed, your year?
Jonas asked. Unlike his father, he had no idea what his
Assignment would be. But he knew that some would dis-
appoint him. Though he respected his fathers work, Nur-
turer would not be his wish. And he didnt envy Laborers
at all.
His father thought. No, I dont think so. Of course the
Elders are so careful in their observations and selections.
I think its probably the most important job in our
community, his mother commented.
My friend Yoshiko was surprised by her selection as
Doctor, Father said, but she was thrilled. And lets see,
there was Andrei I remember that when we were boys
he never wanted to do physical things. He spent all the
recreation time he could with his construction set, and his
volunteer hours were always on building sites. The Elders
knew that, of course. Andrei was given the Assignment of
Engineer and he was delighted.
Andrei later designed the bridge that crosses the river
to the west of town, Jonass mother said. It wasnt there
when we were children.
16
There are very rarely disappointments, Jonas. I dont
think you need to worry about that, his father reassured
him. And if there are, you know theres an appeal proc-
ess. But they all laughed at that an appeal went to a
committee for study.
I worry a little about Ashers Assignment, Jonas con-
fessed. Ashers such fun. But he doesnt really have any
serious interests. He makes a game out of everything.
His father chuckled. You know, he said, I re-
member when Asher was a newchild at the Nurturing
Center, before he was named. He never cried. He giggled
and laughed at everything. All of us on the staff enjoyed
nurturing Asher.
The Elders know Asher, his mother said. Theyll
find exactly the right Assignment for him. I dont think
you need to worry about him. But, Jonas, let me warn you
about something that may not have occurred to you. I
know I didnt think about it until after my Ceremony of
Twelve.
Whats that?
Well, its the last of the Ceremonies, as you know.
After Twelve, age isnt important. Most of us even lose
track of how old we are as time passes, though the infor-
mation is in the Hall of Open Records, and we could go
and look it up if we wanted to. Whats important is the
preparation for adult life, and the training youll receive in
your Assignment.
I know that, Jonas said. Everyone knows that.
But it means, his mother went on, that youll move
into a new group. And each of your friends will. Youll no
longer be spending your time with your group of Elevens.
After the Ceremony of Twelve, youll be with your Assign-
17
ment group, with those in training. No more volunteer
hours. No more recreation hours. So your friends will no
longer be as close.
Jonas shook his head. Asher and I will always be
friends, he said firmly. And there will still be school.
Thats true, his father agreed. But what your mother
said is true as well. There will be changes.
Good changes, though, his mother pointed out. After
my Ceremony of Twelve, I missed my childhood
recreation. But when I entered my training for Law and
Justice, I found myself with people who shared my inter-
ests. I made friends on a new level, friends of all ages.
Did you still play at all, after Twelve? Jonas asked.
Occasionally, his mother replied. But it didnt seem
as important to me.
I did, his father said, laughing. I still do. Every day,
at the Nurturing Center, I play bounce-on-the-knee, and
peek-a-boo, and hug-the-teddy. He reached over and
stroked Jonass neatly trimmed hair. Fun doesnt end
when you become Twelve.
Lily appeared, wearing her nightclothes, in the door-
way. She gave an impatient sigh. This is certainly a very
long private conversation, she said. And there are certain
people waiting for their comfort object.
Lily, her mother said fondly, youre very close to
being an Eight, and when youre an Eight, your comfort
object will be taken away. It will be recycled to the
younger children. You should be starting to go off to sleep
without it.
But her father had already gone to the shelf and taken
down the stuffed elephant which was kept there. Many of
18
the comfort objects, like Lilys, were soft, stuffed, imagi-
nary creatures. Jonass had been called a bear.
Here you are, Lily-billy, he said. Ill come help you
remove your hair ribbons.
Jonas and his mother rolled their eyes, yet they watched
affectionately as Lily and her father headed to her sleeping-
room with the stuffed elephant that had been given to her
as her comfort object when she was born. His mother
moved to her big desk and opened her briefcase; her work
never seemed to end, even when she was at home in the
evening. Jonas went to his own desk and began to sort
through his school papers for the evenings assignment. But
his mind was still on December and the coming Ceremony.
Though he had been reassured by the talk with his par-
ents, he hadnt the slightest idea what Assignment the
Elders would be selecting for his future, or how he might
feel about it when the day came.
19
3
Oh, look! Lily squealed in delight. Isnt he cute?
Look how tiny he is! And he has funny eyes like yours,
Jonas! Jonas glared at her. He didnt like it that she had
mentioned his eyes. He waited for his father to chastise
Lily. But Father was busy unstrapping the carrying basket
from the back of his bicycle. Jonas walked over to look.
It was the first thing Jonas noticed as he looked at the
newchild peering up curiously from the basket. The pale
eyes.
Almost every citizen in the community had dark eyes.
His parents did, and Lily did, and so did all of his group
members and friends. But there were a few exceptions:
Jonas himself, and a female Five who he had noticed had
the different, lighter eyes. No one mentioned such things; it
was not a rule, but was considered rude to call attention to
things that were unsettling or different about individuals.
Lily, he decided, would have to learn that soon, or she
would be called in for chastisement because of her in-
sensitive chatter.
Father put his bike into its port. Then he picked up the
basket and carried it into the house. Lily followed be-
20
hind, but she glanced back over her shoulder at Jonas and
teased, Maybe he had the same Birthmother as you.
Jonas shrugged. He followed them inside. But he had
been startled by the newchilds eyes. Mirrors were rare in
the community; they werent forbidden, but there was no
real need of them, and Jonas had simply never bothered to
look at himself very often even when he found himself in a
location where a mirror existed. Now, seeing the newchild
and its expression, he was reminded that the light eyes
were not only a rarity but gave the one who had them a
certain look what was it? Depth, he decided; as if one
were looking into the clear water of the river, down to the
bottom, where things might lurk which hadnt been dis-
covered yet. He felt self-conscious, realizing that he, too,
had that look.
He went to his desk, pretending not to be interested in
the newchild. On the other side of the room, Mother and
Lily were bending over to watch as Father unwrapped its
blanket.
Whats his comfort object called? Lily asked, picking
up the stuffed creature which had been placed beside the
newchild in his basket.
Father glanced at it. Hippo, he said.
Lily giggled at the strange word. Hippo, she repeated,
and put the comfort object down again. She peered at the
unwrapped newchild, who waved his arms.
I think newchildren are so cute, Lily sighed. I hope I
get assigned to be a Birthmother.
Lily! Mother spoke very sharply. Dont say that.
Theres very little honor in that Assignment.
But I was talking to Natasha. You know the Ten who
21
lives around the corner? She does some of her volunteer
hours at the Birthing Center. And she told me that the
Birthmothers get wonderful food, and they have very gen-
tle exercise periods, and most of the time they just play
games and amuse themselves while theyre waiting. I think
Id like that, Lily said petulantly.
Three years, Mother told her firmly. Three births,
and thats all. After that they are Laborers for the rest of
their adult lives, until the day that they enter the House of
the Old. Is that what you want, Lily? Three lazy years, and
then hard physical labor until you are old?
Well, no, I guess not, Lily acknowledged reluctantly.
Father turned the newchild onto his tummy in the bas-
ket. He sat beside it and rubbed its small back with a
rhythmic motion. Anyway, Lily-billy, he said affection-
ately, the Birthmothers never even get to see newchildren.
If you enjoy the little ones so much, you should hope for an
Assignment as Nurturer.
When youre an Eight and start your volunteer hours,
you can try some at the Nurturing Center, Mother sug-
gested.
Yes, I think I will, Lily said. She knelt beside the bas-
ket. What did you say his name is? Gabriel? Hello, Ga-
briel, she said in a singsong voice. Then she giggled.
Ooops, she whispered. I think hes asleep. I guess Id
better be quiet.
Jonas turned to the school assignments on his desk.
Some chance of that, he thought. Lily was never quiet.
Probably she should hope for an Assignment as Speaker, so
that she could sit in the office with the microphone all day,
making announcements. He laughed silently to him-self,
picturing his sister droning on in the self-important
22
voice that all the Speakers seemed to develop, saying
things like, ATTENTION. THIS IS A REMINDER TO
FEMALES UNDER NINE THAT HAIR RIBBONS ARE
TO BE NEATLY TIED AT ALL TIMES.
He turned toward Lily and noticed to his satisfaction
that her ribbons were, as usual, undone and dangling.
There would be an announcement like that quite soon, he
felt certain, and it would be directed mainly at Lily, though
her name, of course, would not be mentioned. Everyone
would know.
