Book 2 "The Quest" Questions

Why does Sela shutter when Cluny smiles?

She is afraid of what he will do. He smiles, but he is cruel and selfish.

"I've sold hens their own eggs and back and stolen the whiskers from yarcdogs" Sela. meaning...

She is bragging about how well she can deceive others.

How do Matthias and Methuselah discover that King Bull Sparra has the Sword of Martin?

* Methuselah remembered a story he once heard about the sparrows stealing a valuable object, *Warbeak tells them that King Bull has a big sword. *They assume it is Martin's sword.

When Matthias met the baby squirrel, what are 3 characteristics of leadership he showed?

1. Readiness to Fight 2. Courage/Bravery 3. Humility

What is the meaning of the idiom: An absolute shower of yahoos and cads?

A group of clumsy, stupid fellows with no manners.

Mouseworm in Sparra language

A mouse

Giantworm in Sparra language

A serpent

Why do Dunwing and Warbeak try to protect Matthias from the Sparrows?

Because Matthias saved his daughter and he feels like he owes him a favor.

When Methuselah and Matthias find the tomb, why is Methuselah reluctant to enter.

Because the prophecy says Matthias "am that is" alone should enter.

What is the meaning of the idiom: Mad frogs in a bucket?

Behaving insanely

Compare and Contras the leadership of King Bull Spare and Cluny

Both rule with fear and selfish ambition. But, Cluny plans ahead and remembers, and King Bull is impulsive and forgetful.

candy nuts

Candied chestnuts

How is the raiding party defeated?

Constance appears and kicks away the plank. The rats could not cross from the tree after that.

What characteristic does Methuselah demonstrate even in death?

Courage because he attempt to prevent Chickenhound from escaping.

What is the meaning of the idiom: Play with fire and you'll get burned?

Dangerous actions have consequences

"Don't cast scorn on things you don't know of" Methuselah. meaning...

Don't knock or make fun of things you don't understand.

Foremole

Engineer

What is the meaning of the idiom: Forward the fur?

Get ready to move into action.

'Martin is Matthias. As my trusted friend and faithful companion, I say you may enter with me." meaning of this statement...

He accepts the duty that has been given to him. Methuselah wants him to share the special moment.

Why do you think Methuselah, the oldest citizen of Redwall choose to show the writing behind the tapestry to young Matthias?

He finds Matthias capable of leading, trustworthy, and interested in the sword.

How does Matthias react when King Bull Sparra puts a collar on his neck?

He gets very angry and vows never to put a collar on another living creature as he did Warbeak again.

What is the gift that Matthias discover he has while discussing the Sparrow prisoners with Methuselah?

He has the gift of understanding Sparra language.

Why did Abbot Mortimer forbid the attack on Cluny's army as they retreated?

He hates death and injury to any living creature, even the evil ones.

What is the meaning of the idiom: Hide within himself?

He is trying to hide away from real life. - anti-social

How does Cluny attempt to trick Sela and use her to trick the Abbey mice?

He makes sure Sela is watching as he draws up plans of attack on Redwall gate, knowing that they are really going to tunnel through the walls instead.

How does Methuselah discover that the enemy is planning to attack from the old elm tree?

He notices the tree is no longer moving North.

Why does Abbot Mortimer turn the defense of Redwall over to his commanders?

He realizes they are better at defending the Abbey, and he is better at helping the hurting.

What was Methuselah's last good work?

He repaired the tapestry.

How did Matthias learn the Sparra customs?

He spent many hours talking to them and living with them.

What does Matthias do when he sees the sparrows being attacked by Jess Squirrel.

He takes command and orders the archers to fire.

Why is Martin dressed in a Redwall habit (robe) instead of dressed as a warrior?

He wanted to be remembered as a humble person of peace instead of a heroic warrior.

Why do you think Chickenhound felt no grief over the death of his mother? What doe this say about his character?

He was angry with her for not allowing him to handle things because he felt he was much younger and slyer than her. He was very self-centered.

Why was Methuselah the one to discover the enemy attack would come from the old elm tree?

He was not directly involved in the battle, so he had more time to observe.

Killet in Sparra language

Kill it or kill you

Letta in Sparra language

Let the or Let you

How does Matthias react to Jess Squirrel's report of the missing sword?

Maturely, he hides his disappointment from her and cries about it later, in private.

Headbrain

Mind, brain

What is the mood set by the author's description of midnight and a full moon?

One of excitement and anticipation.

"Time Provides All Answers" Abbot Mortimer. meaning...

Problems will be solved if you're willing to wait patiently.

Basil

Renegade Soldier

To whom does Sela give her loyalty? How is it different from the loyalty shown by Redwall citizens?

Sela is not loyal to anyone but herself. The mice of Redwall are loyal and take care of each other.

What does Matthias learn from Dunwing about Martin's sword?

The adder ended up with Martin's sword when King Bull Sparra dropped it while hunting.

What is the meaning of the idiom: The world is his oyster?

The believe that one can take anything he wants from the world as easily as plucking a pearl from an oyster.

What is the difference between how Cluny's rats train and the way the Abbey's defenders train?

The rats are like salves. They are forced to do whatever Cluny tells them to do. The Abbey mice are volunteers.

How is the shrew's order different from the sparrow's?

The sparrows are not allowed to speak. They follow the orders of King Bull Sparra only.

How do the shrews keep order?

They argue and fight, but whoever holds the pebble is allowed to speak.

What is the meaning of the idiom: Thick as thieves

They share secrets and whisper to themselves about them.

Why do Redtooth and the other rats choose not to finish Cluny off for good when he lies recovering from his injuries?

They were afraid of Cluny's power being too strong. They were afraid he may be faking his injuries as a trap to see what they will do.

Gotta make dead in Sparra language

To kill

How did Warbeak and Matthias become friends?

Warbeak was a prisoner -yet saved Matthias's life. He in return set her free, but she chose to stay with him.

What is a 'hullabaloo?'

a loud disturbing noise

Alf

chef

What does it mean that the sparrows lived 'higgledy-piggledy' in an untidy tribe?

disordered and confused

Methuselah

historian

Cornflower (job)

hostess

Constance (job)

protector

Ambrose

scout

Wormfood

something to feed the worms

mousehome

the Abbey

Egghick in Sparra language

Sparrow child