This is actually my 2nd or 3rd read thru of The Lottery. I enjoy the story a great deal, but something about it has always nagged at me and I finally realized that the origin of the ritual is never really explained. It's hinted that at one time in the past resources were maybe so scarce it was necessary to *thin the heard,* but it's very much concealed. It's also hinted at that whatever the reason for the ritual, it is no longer a necessary function so much as a tradition like Valentine's or Memorial Day, they just keep doing it for nostalgia or something.