Hi and welcome back to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien. Illustrations by Justin Todd. Read by me, Teacher Alyse. 📖 Chapter 14: The Marketplace Before I begin reading, here’s a quick summary of the chapter: Mrs. Frisby is shocked to learn that her late husband, Jonathan, was part of the rats’ secret past. Nicodemus explains that Jonathan had a good reason for keeping the truth from her, but he never had the chance to share it before he passed. As they talk, Nicodemus suggests moving to a quieter location so he can tell her the full story of the rats’ origins. He leads Mrs. Frisby to his office, a comfortable and well-furnished space, where she notices a radio playing music. This sparks a memory of something Jonathan once mentioned, and she is fascinated by the sound. Nicodemus then begins to recount the history of the rats, starting at a marketplace near a big city where he and many other rats once lived. The marketplace provided plenty of food, making life easy for the rats. Nicodemus and his friends, including his intelligent companion Jenner, often explored the area, gathering food and playing. One evening, while searching for food, Nicodemus and the other rats were suddenly caught in a trap. Bright lights flashed, and men in white uniforms appeared, capturing many of them with nets. Nicodemus himself was ensnared, signaling the beginning of a life-changing event for the captured rats. 📚 Want a free PDF copy of this book? Send me a message! Need help with vocabulary? You can find definitions and audio for chapters 6–14 here: https://teach.italki.com/vocabulary/927367 Special thanks for listening! If you’d like more lessons with me, visit my teacher profile: https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/13365914

** This story contains graphic and explicit material it is not recommended for children. For mature audiences only. ** 18+ The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig from Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris Illustrations by Ian Falconer Read by me Teacher Alyse. Listen and follow along. Send me a message me for your free pdf copy of this book. https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/13365914 The way the pig is labeled based on his Vietnamese heritage, despite being born in the U.S., mirrors the real-world experiences of many immigrants and their descendants. Even when someone identifies as fully American, they can still be seen as "other" because of their background. The parrot's insistence on framing the pig's identity through an ethnic lens—rather than his actual achievements—reflects how media narratives and public discourse can shape (and sometimes distort) the way individuals are perceived. This is especially important now, given the ongoing discussions about immigration in the U.S. Many immigrants and first-generation Americans face similar struggles with identity, belonging, and how they're portrayed in society. The story also highlights how insecurities—whether about identity, appearance, or status—can be exacerbated by external judgments. • Identity and Stereotyping: The pig’s frustration highlights how labels—whether about ethnicity or body image—can shape and limit a person’s self-perception. • Media Manipulation: The parrot, representing a journalist, distorts facts for a sensationalized story, raising questions about bias and ethics in reporting. • Self-Perception and Insecurity: The pig’s struggles with his body image illustrate how external judgments can create deep-seated insecurities. • Cultural Commentary: The story subtly critiques societal assumptions about identity and heritage, showing how people (or animals) can be boxed in by others’ perceptions.