Lev Saunders (Human, aged eight)

The man at the door was the man who is in charge of the terraces. Lev knew because the Warden had said so, and had asked whether he could come, and Lev had said yes.

The man did not come in. He stood at the door and said, "Lev. I'd like a runner from your strawberry, for the terraces, if you'll give me one." Then he waited.

Lev knew about waiting. His strawberry had put out seven runners under the terrace light, long and thin, with a baby plant on the end of each, and the Warden had told him how to set each baby in its own cup so it would grow its own roots before you cut the string. Four had roots. He chose the one with the most leaves, because if you are giving somebody something, you give them the good one, and he cut the string with the kitchen scissors, which he was allowed for this.

"Thank you," the man said.

"You have to change the water every morning," Lev said, because nobody might have told him.