Chapter 12, The Silent Valley Summary

Milo and his friends drive into the valley, wondering what about the pleasant scenery could have so upset Dr. Dischord and Dynne. As they pass a stone gate, Milo notices that something is different and tries to say so, but he cannot make a sound. Indeed, nothing makes any sound, not Tock's clock, not the movement of their bodies, nothing.

As they drive on, they find themselves amid a group of people holding signs like "DOWN WITH SILENCE." The people are pulling a large cannon. Using signs and blackboards, they tell Milo their story.

Many years ago, the people of the Valley of Sound lived in peace and happiness with their ruler, the Soundkeeper. Every sound was given by the Soundkeeper and collected at day's end to be recorded and filed. Over time, more people came to...