wed up so much of the land； the brutal war for what little sustenance remained。 The result was Panem； a shining Capitol ringed by thirteen districts； which brought peace and prosperity to its citizens。 Then came the Dark Days； the uprising of the districts against the Capitol。 Twelve were defeated； the thirteenth obliterated。 The Treaty of Treason gave us the new laws to guarantee peace and； as our yearly reminder that the Dark Days must never be repeated； it gave us the Hunger Games。
The rules of the Hunger Games are simple。 In punishment for the uprising； each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy； called tributes； to participate。 The twentyfour tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland。 Over a period of several weeks； the petitors must fight to the death。 The last tribute standing wins。
Taking the kids from our districts； forcing them to kill one another while we watch � this is the Capitolˇs way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy。 How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion。
Whatever words they use； the real message is clear。 ¨Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and thereˇs nothing you can do。 If you lift a finger； we will destroy every last one of you。 Just as we did in District Thirteen。〃
To make it humiliating as well as torturous； the Capitol requires us to treat the Hunger Games as a festivity； a sporting event pitting every district against the others。 The last tribute alive receives a life of ease back home； and their district will be showered with prizes； largely consisting of food。 All year； the Capitol will show the winning district gifts of grain and oil and even delicacies like sug