The Wild Robot, #1
The Wild Robot
by Peter Brown
Contents
CHAPTER 5: THE ROBOT GRAVESITE
Overview
Roz awakens fully, frightens the otters, and begins exploring the shoreline where the broken remains of other ROZZUM robots lie scattered. A powerful wave injures and alarms her, activating her drive to preserve herself.
This chapter shifts Roz from passive discovery to survival: she understands the shore is dangerous and identifies the lush land above as a safer destination, though reaching it requires climbing the cliffs.
Summary
The otters hide behind a rock and watch the newly awakened robot emerge from the crate. When the robot turns her head all the way around and looks directly at them, she introduces herself as Roz, but her voice frightens the skittish otters. They flee across the shore and swim away through the waves.
Roz turns her attention to the scattered objects along the coastline. Taking her first steps, she walks away from her crate and through the wreckage until she reaches a broken robot body. Roz notices the word ROZZUM etched on its torso, then sees the same word on the other robot torsos and on her own body.
As Roz explores the robot gravesite, ocean waves begin washing over the rocks. Roz automatically backs away from the smaller waves, but a gigantic wave crashes over the whole area, knocks her down, dents her, and triggers her Damage Sensors for the first time.
After the wave recedes, Roz lies among the broken robots and becomes aware of her Survival Instincts, which urge her to avoid danger and keep functioning. Seeing the higher land filled with trees, grasses, and flowers, Roz recognizes it as safer than the shore. To reach it, however, she must climb the sea cliffs.
Who Appears
- RozNewly awakened ROZZUM robot; explores the wreckage, is damaged by a wave, and seeks safer ground.
- The ottersSkittish creatures who watch Roz emerge, panic at her voice, and flee into the ocean.