The Giver, Novel by Lois Lowry: An Account from Jonas' Journey

He was a peaceful looking man, with a large round belly and rosy red cheeks. Jonas couldn't help but smile as he stared at the gentle looking figure. The man looked down at the freezing pair. He noticed Jonas' trembling blue lips and the tiny shaking bundle of blanket that was Gabriel. The man immediately invited Jonas into his home and screamed for his wife to grab blankets and hot chocolate. Jonas sat shyly bundled in blankets as all of the strangers around him whispered to each other about him and Gabe. After a few awkward minutes the man who answered the door appeared with a steaming cup of "hot chocolate". The man placed the mug in Jonas's hands and told him to drink it, and that it would warm him up. Jonas peered over the edge of the goblet at the steaming hot brown liquid. Jonas had never heard of hot chocolate nor tasted it, but was delighted to have something to drink after his lengthy journey. He put the cup up to his mouth and took an enormous gulp. The children in the room giggled as he ferociously clawed at his tongue to try to get rid of the burning feeling. A woman in the room stood and walked over to Jonas and blew gently across the top of the cup. Jonas took another sip, but was more careful to take small amounts this time. He felt the drink flowing through his veins muscles. Jonas let the hot chocolate cool a little and then gave some to Gabriel also. Gabriel was now asleep in Jonas' arms. The owners of the house left Jonas and Gabe alone to warm up, but now Jonas was warm, and curious. He found the adults in the kitchen because the children had been put to bed hours ago. After a complete interrogation by Jonas to the adults, he learned the man who opened the door was named Paul. His wife, the woman who blew on Jonas' hot chocolate, was named Isabel. The other people who were in the home earlier were simply friends and relatives of Paul and Isabel. Jonas also learned of the name of the town he was now in, it was called