The man who wouldn't sign up

"The Man Who Wouldn't Sign Up" by Tom Purdom is a story set in a time when a man named Henry Westing struggles against society's push to make everyone belong to a group. Henry likes being on his own, enjoying things like music, friends, and art, but others keep pressuring him to join different clubs and organizations. One group, called "The Organization," especially wants him because they unite people who feel alone. Through talks with people trying to recruit him, like a psychologist, Henry thinks about whether being part of a group is really necessary to be happy. While he continues to resist, Henry starts to see how important connecting with others can be when he offers support to another person the Organization is trying to recruit. The story focuses on Henry's stand for doing what he thinks is right, showing how important it is to choose for yourself, even when society is asking you to fit in.