Chapter 15 - Page 202 - The Village Has A New Name

   Blank paper and pens were placed by the ballot box so everyone could easily suggest a name. The mayor thanked everyone for voting and closed the meeting. The villagers filed out of the dining hall. Some paused to write their choice for the name of a town on a sheet of paper they then dropped into the ballot box. Those who couldn’t write were assisted by people who could.

   The mayor posted a notice announcing a town meeting on Saturday at three o’clock for the purpose of selecting a village name. During the next week every student put a suggestion for a town name on a sheet of paper. On Friday, the teachers put all the suggestions in one box and one of the teachers, Julia, carried them to the dining hall and put them in the ballot box.

   On the afternoon of the meeting, the dining hall was filled to overflowing. Everyone wanted to know the village’s new name. Talk, laughter, and shouts filled the air.

   The mayor tapped his gavel on the table. “Quiet, please. Would everyone be seated?” The crowd began to settle. The mayor rapped his gavel again. “Could I have your attention, please?”

   Everyone took a seat and stopped talking. A large number of people waited outside the building. Every window had faces peering inside. When everyone was quiet, Thamish called the meeting to order.

   “The only purpose for this meeting is to select a town name. Most everyone of school age and up has submitted a name for the village. All suggestions have been placed in the ballot box.” Thamish placed a notebook and a pen on the table in front of an empty chair next to his.