The Wild Robot, #1
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 50: THE BUTTON
Overview
Roz and Brightbill finally test the mysterious button on the back of Roz’s head and discover that it turns Roz off and on. The experiment terrifies Brightbill because Roz briefly becomes lifeless, then restarts with a strange automatic phrase before returning to normal.
The chapter deepens Brightbill’s attachment to Roz by making the possibility of losing Roz immediate and frightening. It also reminds readers that Roz is both a machine and Brightbill’s mother, balancing mechanical function with emotional family bonds.
Summary
Brightbill and Roz both become fixated on the small button on the back of Roz’s head. After wondering what it does, mother and son decide together that it is time to find out.
Roz sits on the floor of the Nest while Brightbill stands behind Roz on a stone. Roz calmly says she is ready, but Brightbill is nervous as Brightbill presses the button.
The button shuts Roz down: Roz’s body relaxes, Roz’s whirring stops, and Roz’s eyes go dark. Brightbill calls to Roz and gets no answer, then sees that the spark of life has vanished from Roz’s face. Brightbill feels terribly alone.
Brightbill wants to turn Roz back on, but fear stops Brightbill for a moment. Brightbill worries Roz may not wake up at all, or may wake up changed, yet Brightbill is also afraid to leave Roz off.
Brightbill presses the button again. Roz reactivates, first speaking an automatic introduction in a language Brightbill does not understand, which makes Brightbill fear the worst. Then Roz’s familiar voice returns in the language of the animals, and Roz asks how long Roz was out. Brightbill hugs Roz and says it was only a few minutes, but it felt like forever.
Who Appears
- BrightbillRoz’s gosling son; nervously presses the button and fears losing Roz.
- RozRobot mother; allows Brightbill to test the button that powers Roz down and back on.