The setting seems to be the focus in the beginning of the story. The author tell us the exact day and time. The day is described as a "clear and sunny, with fresh warmth of a full-summer day; flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green." After reading that, I wanted to be there, sitting out on my porch or taking a walk. Next, we are taken to the town square where the …showed first 75 words of 1270 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1270 total…to upset tradition, though along the way the meaning and parts of the tradition were lost like the recital, salute, etc. It was described how things had lapsed and changed over the years yet they still felt this was a necessary thing to do. I think the best line in the story is near the end. "Although the villagers had forgotten the ritual and lost the original black box, they still remembered to use stones."