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Contents
TitlePageContentsCopyrightDedicationIntroductionChapter1Chapter2Chapter3Chapter4Chapter5Chapter6Chapter7Chapter8Chapter9Chapter10Chapter11Chapter12Chapter13Chapter14Chapter15Chapter16Chapter17Chapter18Chapter19Chapter20
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Chapter21Chapter22Chapter23NewberyAcceptanceSpeechAbouttheAuthorAbouttheIllustrator
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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
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http://www.hmhco.com/popular-reading
[Fic]—dc20CIPAC
eISBN978-0-547-94696-2v5.0915
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ForallthechildrenTowhomweentrustthefuture
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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,
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whenshewroteingratitude,thankingmeforwritingabookaboutadultswhokeepsecretsfromyoungpeopleandreassuringyoungreadersthattheycanbreakfreefromthatintoaworldofhonestyandempowerment.Therehavebeen,inrecentyears,astartlingnumberof
dystopiannovelspublishedforyoungpeople.MostofthemareintriguingandalmostallofthemaremuchmorecomplexthanTheGivereverwasortriedtobe.Whyisitthat,withsomanyotherchoices,thislong-ago-publishedbookcontinuestobetheonethatstillfascinatesandoutragesandengagesitsreaders?It’sbecauseitdescribesthepowerthatevenatwelve-year-old
canhave:thepowertoexposehumanhypocrisy,toshattersecrecy,toshinealightontruth,andtofeelthefreedomthatliesbeyond.
LoisLowry,2011
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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.
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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.”
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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
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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.
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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.”
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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“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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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
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groupmates.Jonassawhisparentswatchinghimfromtheplacewheretheirownbicycleswerewaiting.Lilyhadalreadybeenstrappedintoherseat.Hewaved.Theywavedback,smiling,buthenoticedthatLily
waswatchinghimsolemnly,herthumbinhermouth.Herodedirectlytohisdwelling,exchangingonlysmalljokes
andunimportantremarkswithAsher.“Seeyouinthemorning,RecreationDirector!”hecalled,
dismount