Chapter 15 - Page 206 - The Village Has A New Name

As Thamish picked up the microphone, everyone began clapping and cheering. “Speech, speech,” they yelled.

   He held the microphone up to his mouth and started to speak, but the crowd was so noisy, he lowered the microphone and waved. He let the people cheer a few moments longer, then lifted the microphone to his mouth again. “Thank you, friends and neighbors, thank you.”

   The crowd began to settle down. Thamish looked at his wife. “Is this my birthday?” he joked. The crowd laughed. He looked back toward the crowd and became more serious. “I want to thank everyone for coming out today. You all seem to be in such high spirits.”

   The crowd began to clap again, but soon stopped. They wanted to hear what more the mayor had to say.

   “I thank you for the applause,” Thamish said, “and I know your enthusiasm is directed at Jim, Rhasha, Shanha, Jackie, and Simbatu.” Everyone clapped and whistled again. The mayor looked at the five guests of honor who stood together on the ground in front of the stage. Thamish noticed Jim had his guitar on his shoulder. He looked back toward the crowd and smiled. “But . . . let’s don’t act like we’re happy to see them go.”

   Everyone started clapping again. “I, for one, love all five of them with all my heart, and I know all of you do too.” Thamish wasn’t finished, but everyone began clapping so he yelled into the microphone, “They will be missed for the next two months.”