"Hey, Kordeh! Wake up!" Flint groaned and tucked his head under his pillow. Sadly, it didn't work. Joada,his younger brother, pounced. "Kordeh! Come on! It's the Kipéc today!" Tired of being called Rockhead by his brother, Flint stumbled out of bed, flung out his arms, and groaned, "RAAH! I am the Rockhead ghoul! I eat annoying little boys for breakfast!" Joada giggled, running away. Flint caught him easily. "AAAAHH" Joada screamed in delight. "Ok!Ok! For real! Stop!" Joada gasped. "It's my turn for the Kipéc, we can't be late!

Flint stopped, putting the information together. The Kipéc, or Picking, was a ceremony held every year in the small farming village of Töfsleng. Every child of 12 would put a slip of parchment with his/her name on it into a straw basket. In another basket, slips with job choices were contained. The mayor, Kada Shomali, would draw a name and a corresponding job. This would be the child's job until age 35. Joada was 12. His turn was today.

Flint got up quickly and ran to his closet. He grabbed some jeans and a white t-shirt and threw them on. Joada grabbed his hand and yanked him along out the door.

It was a beautiful day in Töfsleng. The suns teal glow awashed everythingin a soft blue. The sky was a perfect shade of purple, white wisps of cloud racing along merrily. Birds sang out melodies that floated elegantly on the breeze. Beautiful flowers of all colors and patterns bloomed wherever there was room. Butterflies and Seblorcas(giant green and blue bees) flew everywhere. A calico rabbit, its fur softer than down, tipped it's head and winked at Joada before hopping away. Flint and Joada laughed as they ran to the clearing