The Cricket in Times Square — Chapter 5

About This Passage

Mr. Smedley's response is doing several things at once. First, he refuses to take credit as a teacher — a striking move from a music teacher who could easily have offered lessons and earned a fee. Second, he names Nature as the real teacher, personifying her as a 'she' who 'gave' Chester his gift. Third, he calls Chester a 'little black Orpheus,' borrowing the name of the most famous musician in Greek mythology and applying it to a subway-station cricket. The borrowing is generous and serious: Mr. Smedley is telling Mario that his pet is not a curiosity but a member of an ancient lineage of great musicians. Copying this passage teaches a writer how the smallest creature can be honored by being named in the language of the largest tradition, and how a refusal of credit can be a form of higher praise.

Narration Prompt

In your own words, tell the story of this chapter. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know?

Discussion Questions

1. In Chapter 1, only Tucker Mouse heard Chester's chirp. In Chapter 2, Mario heard it. In Chapter 4, Harry Cat heard it. Now in Chapter 5, both Mickey the counter man and Mr. Smedley the music teacher hear it. Why is Selden slowly adding more listeners with each chapter? What does the growing audience tell us about how a small creature's gift becomes known to the world?
2. Mr. Smedley refuses to give Chester music lessons, even though he is a music teacher and could easily have charged Mario money. He says Chester has already been taught by Nature and that he 'could add nothing to the genius of this little black Orpheus.' Is this an act of humility, or is it an act of generosity, or is it something else — perhaps an act of recognition that some gifts cannot be improved by training? Defend your reading.

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide