Homesick

4702 was first in line on the wheel. The last shift greeted him as they filed out with expressions of mild reluctance. The wheel was by far the most popular activity the Brethren enjoyed, but it did have to be shared, and 4702’s group deserved their turn. But that moment of leaving the fun behind was always difficult and 4702 understood their feelings. Of course they all had other joyous work to do and their spirits would be quickly restored as they made their way onward. Also, two of them carried another brother’s body to the Masters. What could be a greater honor than that? And, in any case, they would have plenty of other turns on the wheel, as it ran continuously day and night. That was the idea. All were guaranteed many opportunities to enjoy it. The Masters had been kind in this regard!

The wheel was a beautiful structure. It was made of wood with a lovely coarse texture and was large enough to accommodate ten brothers and sisters at one time, making it a wonderful family game! They climbed on the inside of the wheel to keep it turning. The wheel turned the great gear works that did something important, something the Masters liked! It was so important that, even when other tasks had few Brethren to do them, the wheel was kept going all day long. This meant that all the Brethren could have their turns and the fun need never end! In all of 4702′s time with the Brethren he had never seen the wheel stop. But, of course, that was what they all feared most. He was told it had stopped once and the Masters were displeased. When the wheel stopped, somehow it hurt the Masters and made them uncomfortable. The mere thought of that filled him with grief. When he imagined his Masters’ faces downcast in sadness or tight with worry he couldn’t help but shed a bitter tear. He stiffened in resolution. He wouldn’t ever let that happen! He loved the Masters and he would never let them down! He would push hard! He would push and climb on that wheel even if all the others didn’t! He would keep it going! He would push with all his might! The Masters would always be happy while he was on the wheel!

They continued to file in, one at a time. One in one side, one out the other. The wheel kept going fast and the doorway was narrow going in. The frame of the wheel gave each brother just enough time to get in before its great spoke sliced across. One sister boasted she had broken her arm going in one day, but managed to do her entire shift without letup! Broken bones can slow things down. Some brothers fall inside the wheel and get lifted and tossed a few times. A broken leg can be a real nuisance. When a brother can’t get up again, they sometimes end up being lifted and tossed through the entire shift! This makes it more of a challenge to keep the wheel going, and the brother or sister who falls is usually harder to carry to the Masters at the end of the shift. But, of course, it’s still a great honor. What better way can a brother or sister complete their service than while turning the wheel they love!

The sister in front of him cleared the door and climbed along with glee. She had a lovely pattern of scars on her back. 4702 was envious. He had almost no scars yet. It takes time to be so decorated. His bones were too straight and he had more fingers than the rest of them! Some of his friends didn’t even have both their hands, but he had more fingers than even the newest newcomers! His clothing was another painful reminder that he was different from the others. None of the Brethren he knew had such a jacket as he wore, or any jacket at all for that matter. In fact, none of them wore anything that even resembled the odd clothing he came in with! The cumbersome fabric also blocked his experience. With the strange, sleeved jacket he couldn’t completely feel the floorboards when he slept or the sticky bodies of the other Brethren around him. With the odd foot coverings he couldn’t feel the splintery texture of the wheel or the rough surface of the concrete road. It was curious to him that the Masters wanted him to continue wearing the clothing as long as it lasted. He had been pleased when one arm of the jacket got caught in the gears one day and was ripped from the accursed outfit. He got his first scar that day too!

When he entered the wheel it was like being freed from a cage. He felt the rush of exhilaration! Nothing could be better! He was serving his Masters! Every step was important! Every moment of his shift meant something! He climbed harder, trying to speed up the wheel. The others noticed and tried to better him. It would have been perfect but for the lingering knowledge that the shift would eventually end. He tried not to dwell on this. He made his joy complete by pretending he could spin the wheel for his Masters forever!