He remembered his fathers look of delight, and that his father had whispered, Shes one of my favourites. 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 attention 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 the idea. When something went to a committee for study, the people always joked about it. They said that the committee 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 Receiver 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. 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 bicycle 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 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 obvious 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 almost all of my volunteer hours helping in the Nurturing Centre. Of course the Elders knew that, from their observation.
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 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 surprised, when my Assignment was announced as Nurturer, Father explained.
Did everyone applaud, even though they werent surprised? Jonas asked.
Oh, of course. They were happy for me, that my Assignment 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 disappoint him. Though he respected his fathers work, Nurturer would not be his wish. And he didnt envy Labourers 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.
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 process. But they all laughed at that an appeal went to a committee for study.
I worry a little about Ashers Assignment, Jonas confessed. 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 remember when Asher was a newchild at the Nurturing Centre, 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 information 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 Assignment 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 interests. 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 Centre, 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 doorway. 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 the comfort objects, like Lilys, were soft, stuffed, imaginary creatures. Jonass had been called a bear.
Here you are, Lily-billy, he said. Ill come and 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 parents, 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.
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 whom 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 insensitive chatter.
Father put his bike into its port. Then he picked up the basket and carried it into the house. Lily followed behind, 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 discovered yet. He felt self-conscious, realising 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 honour in that Assignment.
But I was talking to Natasha. You know the Ten who lives around the corner? She does some of her volunteer hours at the Birthing Centre. And she told me that the Birthmothers get wonderful food, and they have very gentle 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 Labourers 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 labour until you are old?
Well, no, I guess not, Lily acknowledged reluctantly.
Father turned the newchild on to his tummy in the basket. He sat beside it and rubbed its small back with a rhythmic motion. Anyway, Lily-billy, he said affectionately, 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 Centre, Mother suggested.
Yes, I think I will, Lily said. She knelt beside the basket. What did you say his name is? Gabriel? Hello, Gabriel, 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 himself, picturing his sister droning on in the self-important 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 towards 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.