Reading Response

Reading Response #1 

By: Joshua Williams  

Class: 812 

     Put into slavery when he was very young and forced into manual labor for 2 years is the life of Martin the mouse. However, this tall tale of a young courageous mouse doesn't end with him being a slave all his life. The book, Martin The Warrior by Brian Jacques is the story about Martin and his legendary quest for freedom and justice where he was named Martin the Warrior by his fellow travelers. Martin is a brave soul and cares deeply for people in need. 

     One example of how Martin is a brave creature who cares about others is that when he was in slavery by a tyrant named Badrag, the captains of Badrag’s crew were responsible for keeping the slaves in check. Once, when an old squirrel was about to be lashed for dropping a heavy rock, Martin stopped the captain from swinging the whip at last minute, and Martin was forced to be whipped himself. In the book, it said, " He tugged at it but was yanked backwards. The young mouse had the end of the whip coiled around his paw.” "Pg 13" This shows that Martin would never let anyone be pushed around or hurt. Martin knew he would have been whipped for what he did but thought that protecting the squirrel was more important than his own safety.

     Another example of Martins bravery and compassion is that when Martin and his new friends, Grumm the mole and Rose the mousemaid, they all escaped the prison by riding away by boat. But when the boat was attacked by a enormous fish, Martin told his friends to take the boat and leave while he distracted the fish. In the book, it said,” Martin gave Rose the oars and swam to the fish to give it a good whack in the tail.” "Pg 81." This shows how much Martin cares about the safety of his friends. Martin knew he probably would die if he faced that fish head on, but he thought that it was worth it to save his friends. This proves how brave and caring Martin is. 

     One Final example of how brave and understanding Martin is that when Martin and his friends were kidnapped by pigmy shrews (small mice like creatures) and one had been captured by a bird, all the other pigmy shrews thought that he was a goner, except for Martin who offered to save the little pigmy shrew from the big bird. In the book, it said,” No, he’s not dead, give me your sword, I’ll save him!” "Pg 112." This is shows how brave and caring Martin is, Martin could have sat back in his cell and enjoyed watching the pigmy shrews who kidnapped him get eaten, but he didn't, because Martin is the type of creature who cares for others. This is one last piece of evidence proving that Martin is brave and compassionate.  

     In conclusion, I believe that Martin the Warrior is brave, courageous and cares deeply for others. I can't say that this book relates to me completely, however I remember many times that I have sacrificed my own safety . And I can only hope that you, the reader has done the same for your friends. I wish this is also the intent of everyone in the entire world, so that everyone has the bravery and same amount of care for others as Martin the Warrior.