Gifted: Speak No Evil by Marilyn Kaye

Author:Marilyn Kaye [Kaye, Marilyn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Published: 2010-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

IN THE GIFTED CLASS, Ken ran in at the last minute so Amanda didn’t get a chance to talk to him before Madame called for everyone’s attention.

But before Madame had even said ‘good afternoon’, Ken’s hand shot up. Madame looked at him in surprise.

‘Yes, Ken?’

‘Madame, could I ask the class something? There’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.’

‘Of course, Ken. What’s on your mind?’

His classmates turned to look at him.

Ken was clearly uncomfortable at being the centre of attention, but he persevered. ‘I want to know . . . If you could get rid of your gift, would you? I mean, most of you guys know how I don’t like hearing these voices. And I was just wondering if I was the only one who doesn’t like having a gift.’

‘It’s not always comfortable having a gift, Ken,’ Madame said.

‘Yeah, yeah, I know that,’ Ken interrupted. ‘I’m sorry, Madame, but I’m not talking about getting used to the gift. I want to know if anyone else wants to get rid of their gift.’

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Amanda hastened to break it. ‘I’d like to get rid of my gift. I know there’s no way I can,’ she added hastily, ‘but if I could, I would.’

‘Sometimes I wish I didn’t have my gift,’ Emily offered. ‘When I get these images of terrible things about to happen . . .’ She shuddered.

‘You just have to learn to control it,’ Jenna declared, ‘so you don’t see the future unless you want to. That’s what I do. I mean, if I had to hear everyone’s thoughts all the time, I’d go crazy. But I’m OK with it now.’

Tracey agreed. ‘It’s like Madame says – we need to figure out ways to use our gifts well.’

‘That’s right,’ Madame said.

‘No,’ came a quiet voice from the back.

Everyone turned to look at Sarah.

‘I’d give anything to lose my gift,’ Sarah said.

Amanda thought Madame looked very upset. The teacher’s lips tightened, and she folded her arms across her chest. She seemed to be gathering her thoughts and choosing her next words carefully.

‘Class . . . I want you to listen to me. I know there are many times when your gifts may seem like burdens – or curses, even. But they’re not, you know. Each one of your gifts is a blessing.’

‘Yeah, that’s what I think,’ Charles said. ‘It makes my life a lot easier.’

‘It’s not just that, Charles,’ Madame continued. ‘You were given these gifts for a reason, and we don’t really know what that reason is. But they’re not to be wished away! They have a purpose, and our goal is to discover the purpose. You’re here to learn, not to give up.’

‘It’s not like you have a choice, anyway,’ Martin commented. ‘You can’t lose your gift.’

‘But if we could—’ Ken began.

‘No!’ Madame interrupted, and Amanda was startled by the tone of her voice. This was unusual. She always let the students have their say. And her voice was almost shrill. ‘You can’t! It would be like losing your heart – your brain.

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