The Cricket in Times Square — Chapter 5

About This Passage

Mr. Smedley, the music teacher, says these words about Chester. He is saying that no human teacher could improve on what Nature has already given the cricket. The author uses two important ideas here. First, the word 'taught' — Nature is being called a teacher, even though Nature is not a person and does not really teach the way a human teacher does. Second, the word 'instinct' — meaning the things a creature knows how to do without ever being shown. Copying this passage teaches a writer how a single sentence can carry a big idea (that Nature itself can be a teacher) by treating something invisible like a person.

Narration Prompt

Tell someone what happened in this chapter in order. When you get to the most important part, slow down and tell it carefully — what happened, why it mattered, and what you think about it.

Discussion Questions

1. In the morning, Mario gets up before his parents because he is so excited to go check on the cricket. He brings Chester a piece of bread, a lump of sugar, and a cold Brussels sprout because he is not sure what crickets like to eat. Was Mario being silly to bring three different foods, or was he being thoughtful? What in the story makes you think so?
2. Mr. Smedley the music teacher says Chester's chirp was 'a perfect middle C.' Then he calls Chester 'this little black Orpheus.' Mario does not know who Orpheus is, so Mr. Smedley tells him a story about a musician whose music made everyone — even animals and rivers and trees — stop and listen. Why do you think the author had Mr. Smedley tell that long, old story instead of just saying 'Chester is a great musician'?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide