Ender's Game

Ender's Game Summary | Chapter 1 "Third" Summary

Two unidentified voices discuss Ender's fate, one of whom has been sharing a sensor link with Ender for the last three years. The two discuss whether or not, despite the failure of his two siblings, Ender is indeed "the one." Concerned that Ender is too eager to please, the two consider keeping him constantly surrounded by enemies. After citing the threat posed by the "buggers" and agreeing that the safety of the world is at stake, they rationalize taking the boy.

Finally washed out of the program, six year-old Andrew Wiggin, a.k.a. Ender, is to have the monitor removed from the back of his neck. He contemplates being a normal boy and hopes his abusive brother Peter won't be too angry that Ender lasted a year longer in the program than he did. The removal procedure proves more painful than expected. Ender returns to his classroom fifteen minutes before the bell. In class, Ender is teased for being a "Third," something which Ender doesn't feel is his fault since the government authorized his birth.

After class, Ender is surrounded by bullies anxious to abuse the now unmonitored "Third." Resigned to fight, Ender desperately knocks the boy, Stilson, off of his feet. Realizing that he has to make an example of him, Ender viciously kicks the prone Stilson in the ribs and crotch, pausing to warn the mob against messing with him in the future, then plants one final kick into Stilson's face. Moments later, Ender waits for the bus in tears, horrified that he's become like his brother, Peter.