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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NHIM
Robert C. O’Brien
Ages 8-12
When Mrs. Frisby’s youngest son, Timothy, falls ill, it seems like all hope is lost. He cannot survive the cold spring nights outside, yet their cozy winter garden home will soon be overrun by Farmer Fitzgibbon’s plow. Mrs. Frisby seems to have run out of options until she encounters a group of strange rats–very strange rats. Rats who read and write, have electric lights and plumbing, and have plans to start their own civilization. Who are these rats, and why are they interested in helping Mrs. Frisby?
Questions Just for Fun
If any animal truly could learn to think and live as humans do, which animal do you think would be most interesting to do so?
If you had to predict, what do you think happened to the rats of NIHM after they reached their new home in the valley?
Questions to Think Critically and Biblically
Once the rats of NIHM received certain injections, they began to think, feel, and act as humans do. According to the biblical worldview, would it ever be possible for animals to become identical to humans?
Discussion Guide - Read Genesis 1:20-26. Discuss how God purposefully created different kinds of animals, but he created humans in His image. Humans alone possess God’s image, and no experiment, treatment, or injection could put the image of God into other creatures.
Once the rats of NIHM began to think like humans, they started feeling guilty over stealing food and other supplies. Nicodemus thought they began to feel this way because they became more highly evolved. However, according to the biblical worldview, why is it that humans are the only species on Earth that are held responsible for right and wrong actions?
Discussion Guide - Read Genesis 1:26-30 and discuss how humans are made in God’s. Because we reflect God and He has given us the free will to choose how we live, we are responsible for living according to God’s design. What the book describes–rats feeling guilt over steeling–would never happen. Rats are not designed in God’s image, so they hold no moral responsibility for taking things they did not work to earn.
Nicodemus noticed that once the rats no longer had to work for their food and other comforts, they became lazy, complained, and had no sense of accomplishment. According to the biblical worldview, why is it important for humans to work and put effort into caring for themselves and others?
Discussion Guide - Read Exodus 20:8-11, Ephesians 4:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12. Discuss how, as God’s image bearers, we are to follow God’s pattern of six days of work and one of rest. This is how God designed us. When we work, we do not become lazy, and we are able to be generous to those around us.
The animals in this book had many characteristics that only humans have in real life. What are some of the admirable qualities you saw in different characters in the book?
Discussion Guide - Discuss any or all of the following:
- Mrs. Frisby met the needs of others (her children, Jeremy the crow, the rats, etc.).
- Mr. Ages sought to use his knowledge to help other animals.
- Nicodemus used his wisdom to guide the rat community.
- Jeremy was willing to sacrifice himself to help others.
- Timothy was selfless, willing to let himself stay alone in the winter house so his family would not be crushed by the plow.
- The rats willingly sacrificed their time and resources to help Mrs. Frisby.
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