Student Question
What crisis drove Mrs. Frisby to seek help from Mr. Ages?
Quick answer:
Mrs. Frisby seeks help from Mr. Ages because her son Timothy is gravely ill with pneumonia and needs to stay in bed until the weather warms. However, this is problematic because the farmer will soon plow their home, forcing them to move. Timothy's health crisis drives her to consult Mr. Ages, who is knowledgeable about medicines due to his time at NIMH, despite his somewhat rude demeanor.
Mrs. Frisby goes to see Mr. Ages because her son Timothy is gravely ill. Mr. Ages acts as a pharmacist, prescribing medications to the ill with his advanced intelligence (which the reader later learns he acquired from his time at NIMH). Mr. Ages says he has pneumonia and must stay in bed until the weather becomes warm again, or else the chill in the air will kill him. Mrs. Frisby knows she cannot do that because the farmer whose land they live on will run the tractor through their home—every time that happens, they need to leave their cinder block house.
So, it is Timmy's precarious health that inspires Mrs. Frisby to see Mr. Ages, even though he is a bit abrupt and rude.
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