Chapter 15 - Page 203 - The Village Has A New Name

“Could I get someone who can write to assist me while I’m checking each sheet of paper, please?”

   The teacher Julia came forward and sat down.

   “Thank you, Miss Julia,” Thamish said. “As I call out the names, would you write them by number on a sheet of paper?”

   As the temporary secretary picked up the pen and prepared to write, Thamish reached into the ballot box and pulled out the first slip of paper. “The first name I’ve drawn is . . . ” The Mayor looked at the audience. “Angel Town.”

   The audience immediately began clapping. Everyone in the village knew what Jim wanted to name the village. As Julia wrote “Angel Town” in the notebook, Thamish drew the second sheet of paper from the ballot box. “The second name is . . . Angel Town.”

   Again he reached into the box, and again he announced, “Angel Town.” And again. And again. Finally, amidst continued clapping, Thamish picked up the ballot box and dumped the contents onto the table. He pushed all the sheets of paper together and squared the corners. The mayor held the stack of papers in his hand. He read aloud all 247 sheets. Every sheet suggested Angel Town.

   Thamish Knew ninety-five percent of the voters couldn’t write and that those people had someone else write their suggestion down for them. He called out, “OK, before I declare Angel Town to be the new village name, I would like everyone who voted for Angel Town to raise their hands.”