We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Chapter 14 Summary

The Marketplace

  • The news that her husband died doing the very task she just offered to do is a lot of information for poor Mrs. Frisby to take in. Needless to say, she's feeling overwhelmed. 
  • The rats explain that Jonathan had a good reason for not telling her about his connection to and work with the rats. Try telling that to his wife, though… 
  • She asks what the reason is and Nicodemus says that he will have to tell her a long story in order to answer that question. 
  • Justin and Mr. Ages go to get the sleeping powder while Nicodemus prepares to tell his story.
  • Nicodemus takes Mrs. Frisby into his office, which has a sofa and a radio in it. He tells her that her husband was a part of NIMH.
  • Flashback alert! It's time for Nicodemus to tell Mrs. Frisby a very long story.
  • Nicodemus begins describing the marketplace where he grew up and how much fun it was to live there as a young rat.
  • Here's the scene: one night, Nicodemus and his friend Jenner are cavorting around the marketplace at night.
  • They see a big pile of food that looks almost too good to be true.
  • It turns out that it is too good to be true. Suddenly, men with next swoop down and catch them. Yikes.