Chapter 4 Summary

Jonas is on his way to perform his required volunteer work. Each child in the community has a certain number of hours that they must help out in some function of the community. The child may choose where he/she spends their hours. Jonas' father spoke of spending all his hours in the Nurturers building, helping with the new infants. When his Twelve came the Elders decided to give him a Nurturer position. The elders watch the children through the years; their interests, strengths, and weaknesses. At the ceremony of Twelve, the child becomes an adult. Their future career is assigned to them by the elders.

Today Jonas is working at the "House of the Old." He learns that one of the members was released today. He wonders what the old one saw as he left the community. Jonas gives a bath to...