The beach near the bathing pool was dotted with groups of boys waiting for the assembly. They made way for Ralph silently, conscious of his grim mood and the fault at the fire. Ralph turned to the chief's seat. The trouble was that being a chief you had to think, you had to be wise. He faced the place of assembly and put the conch to his lips. He was searching his mind for simple words so that even The Littluns would understand what the assembly was about.
"We need an assembly not for fun, not for laughing and falling of the log."
He lifted the conch in an effort to find the compelling words-
"Not for these things. But to put things straight."
He paused for a moment.
"We have lots of assemblies. Everybody enjoys speaking and being together. We decide things but they don't get done. We were going to have water brought from the stream and left in those coconut shells under fresh leaves. So it was, for a few days. Now there is no water. The shells dry. People drink from the river."
He paused and cleared his throat.
"There is another thing. We chose those rocks right along beyond the bathing pool as a lavatory. That was sensible too. The tide cleans the place up. You littluns know about that. Now people seem to use anywhere. Even near the shelters and the platform. You littluns, when you are getting fruit; if you are taken short-you keep away from the fruit. That is dirty! "if your taken short you go right along the beach to the rocks. see? We've all got to use the rocks again. This place is getting dirty."
He paused and then:
"The fire is the most important thing on the island. How can we ever be rescued except by luck, if you don't keep a fire going? Is a fire too much for us to make? Look at us! how many are we? And yet we can't keep a fire going to make smoke. Don't you understand? Can't you see we ought to die before we left the fire out?"
There was a self-conscious giggling among the hunters. Ralph turned on them passionately. "You hunters! you can laugh! But I tell you the smoke is more important than the wild ram, however often you kill one. Do all of you see?"
Question 1: How do the boys react to Ralph's arrival at the beach near the bathing pool?
Answer: The boys make way for Ralph silently, conscious of his grim mood and the fault at the fire.
Question 2: Why does Ralph feel the burden of being a chief, and what is he searching for as he faces the assembly?
Answer: Ralph feels the burden of being a chief because he understands that being a leader requires thinking and wisdom. As he faces the assembly, he searches his mind for simple words to ensure everyone, including The Littluns, understands the purpose of the assembly.
Question 3: What does Ralph emphasize as the reason for calling the assembly?
Answer: Ralph emphasizes that the assembly is not for fun or leisure but to address important matters and put things straight.
Question 4: What specific issues does Ralph address during the assembly?
Answer: Ralph addresses the lack of organization in fulfilling decisions made during previous assemblies, the misuse of designated areas for hygiene purposes, and the failure to maintain the fire.
Question 5: Why does Ralph stress the importance of keeping the fire going?
Answer: Ralph stresses the importance of keeping the fire going because it is crucial for their chances of being rescued. He emphasizes that maintaining the fire is a responsibility they cannot neglect.
Question 6: How does Ralph react to the hunters' giggling, and what does he assert about the significance of the smoke compared to hunting?
Answer: Ralph reacts passionately to the hunters' giggling, emphasizing that the smoke is more important than hunting wild ram. He asserts that the smoke is essential for their rescue, and neglecting the fire could have dire consequences.
