Mieko and the Fifth Treasure

Eleanor Coerr, Author Putnam Publishing Group $14.99 (77p) ISBN 978-

0-399-22434-8

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The devastating effects of the bombing of Japan described in Coerr's
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes are evoked here in the stirring
story of Mieko, a gifted calligrapher and artist. After her hand is badly
injured in the bombing, the frightened and embittered girl is sent to stay
with her grandparents in the country. Mieko fears she has lost the fifth
treasure, the ``beauty in the heart'' which holds the key to her artwork. At
her new school, she is taunted by some cruel classmates, and the anger
she feels only deepens her sense of misery and loss. Eventually, she is
lifted from her dark state by the patience and wisdom of her comforting
grandparents and through the friendship of Yoshi, a gentle classmate.
Mieko's recovery is further aided by Yoshi's Aunt Hisako, a stern but
generous woman who goads Mieko into picking up her brushes once
more. (Hisako's disappearance from the story proves mildly confusing,
leaving her more of a device than a fleshed-out character.) Overall, this is
a sensitively and beautifully crafted story that juxtaposes the strength of
Japanese art and philosophy with the complex emotional wake of the
bombing. Once again, this author has created a vivid portrait of courage,
drawn from a time that deserves to be remembered. Ages 7-11. (Apr.)

Charlotte’s Web is a children’s novel based on a story of a pig named Wilber and a

spider named Charlotte which was his close friend. Friendship is a moral virtue that

should be treasured in every stage of life and so nobody feels good when they do not

have a friend in the community. At the beginning of the novel, there is a small girl named

Fern. Fern learns that her father intends to kill Wilbur because of the litter, but she begs

her dad not to kill it by stating,  “please don’t kill it!” (White Garth, & Edith, 3-7).   In return,

her father does not kill the piglet but allows her to take care of the piglet so that she can

learn a few lessons on how to conserve a piglet. Once the piglet is old, Fern’s dad

decides to sell it to her uncle who owns a farm. At the farm, Wilbur gets lonely since no

farm animals would interact with him. Eventually, Wilbur hears a voice telling him that

they can be friends and was surprised to learn that the voice came from a spider that

seemed bloodthirsty. At first, Wilber is horrified by the spider’s bloodthirsty nature but

later they become great friends. He learns that the spider’s name was Charlotte.
At the farm, an old sheep enlightens Wilbur learns that his keeper Mr. Zuckerman was

planning to kill him for Christmas dinner. In return, Wilbur goes to Charlotte for help and

tells him his troubles. He states, “Charlotte, I don’t want to die.”  Charlotte comforts him

and says “Of course you don’t” (White Garth, & Edith, 54-60). After days of thinking,

Charlotte comes up with an idea of how she will help her friend. She spins some

messages on her web meant to praise Wilbur and also write “some pig” and “terrific”,

words meant to astonish Zuckerman and all the people in the town. These acts

preoccupy Zuckerman’s mind and he lets the pig enter into the competition at the County

Fair. Wilbur wins in the competition and Mr. Zuckerman receives the top prize. His

success is described as “the greatest moment of his life”. Notably, the success in the

competition ensures that Wilber is not slaughtered (White Garth, & Edith, 15-88) 

However, Charlotte reaches the end of her lifespan after laying eggs and weaving the

egg sac while at the County fair. This makes her weak to move on with life. With the help

of a rat named Templeton, Wilbur is able to salvage the eggs and transport them back

using Zuckerman’s barn, where they hatch during Spring. After hatching, the majority of

the young spiders departed their mother’s web to make their own webs. However, three

young spiders stay with Wilbur and strengthen their mother’s friendship.

From the novel, one moral problem is evident when Fern’s dad wants to kill the young

piglet. This would have restrained the relationship between the father-daughter since the

daughter loved the piglet to an extent that she agreed to take care of it.  The other moral

issue is that of loyalty where Fern decides to make visits to Wilbur at her uncle’s farm

(White Garth, & Edith, 14-25). Similarly, Charlotte agrees to help Wilbur so that he is not

killed during Christmas festivities. This shows that the two animals were fond of each

other and that they were ready to help each other. The relationship continues even after

Charlotte dies since Wilbur saves her eggs and takes care of her young spiders.

The book has also set tension between competing moral claims in a clear manner. For

instance, Fern is aware that the young piglet should be allowed to live and therefore

urges her father not to kill it. On the other side, her father does not see the need for the

piglet to live and that is why he plans to kill it (White Garth, & Edith, 10-17). Similarly, the

animals on the farm do not want any friendship with Wilbur which forces him to remain

lonely. However, Charlotte comes to his rescue and offers a lifetime friendship.
Therefore, it is evident that there are two scenarios that show the competing moral

claims.

The attempt of killing Wilbur by Fern’s dad and uncle is a form of moral subversion. This

is because the act would have made Fern angry and unhappy. At the same time, Wilbur’s

life would have ended leaving Charlotte with no friend. Additionally, Wilbur had the option

of eating all his food alone but chose to share it with Templeton the rat. This shows that

he was concerned about others and was not selfish. This is one of the parts that are in

the novel that sets limits to moral subversion unlike where the two men were willing to kill

the pig with no change of mind (White Garth, & Edith, 36-42). The moral authority seems

to lie from Fern, Charlotte, Wilbur ad Templeton. This is because all the four characters

chose to overlook any hardships and help one another. In addition, due to their role, they

have obtained some form of authority in the novel. For example, Ferns succeeds in

limiting her father to kill the piglet.  Charlotte, on the other hand, succeeds in rescuing her

friend, and thus he is not butchered. Also, both Wilbur and Templeton ensure that

Charlotte’s eggs are safe.

From the novel, religion is depicted where all the animals work together as one

community and as a family. However, Templeton is the only one who does not join the

rest of the animals which are isolated.  This shows that it is immoral for one to be selfish

and expect other members of the community to treat him well (White Garth, & Edith, 44-

50). In general, it is evident that the book enlightens individuals on many morals issues

that are required for a community to co-exist harmoniously.  For instance, every person

deserves friendship just like Wilbur. Also, people should not be selfish and expect to be

accepted by members of society. Instead, they should uphold loyalty since it is one of the

moral virtue that should exist between friends. This is seen in Charlotte and Wilbur’s

friendship.  Finally, it is through loyalty and true friendship that Wilbur was able to live at

the farm. This is what contributed to Wilbur’s maturity and becoming a responsible pig.

Also, this is the reason he was able to live with Charlotte’s young spiders.

· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: How did I escape? With

difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.
·
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: Kings to you Fernand!
·
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: You were right priest, you were
right...
·
· Fernand: What happened to your mercy?
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: I'm a count, not a saint.
·
· Abbe Faria: The stronger swordsman does not necessarily win. It is speed!
Speed of hand. Speed of Mind.
· Abbe Faria: The stronger swordsman does not necessarily win. It is speed!
Speed of hand, speed of mind.
·
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: I have seventy-two thousand
five-hundred and nineteen stones in my walls. I've counted them many times.
· Abbe Faria: But have you named them yet?
·
· Abbe Faria: "But have you named them yet?"
· Abbe Faria: But have you named them yet?
·
· Jacopo: Once again, Zatarra, God sees you out of the corner of His eye.
· Jacopo: Once again, Zatarra, God sees you out of the corner of His eye.
·
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: If you ever loved me, don't rob
me of my hate. It's all I have.
·
· Dorleac: Now you're thinking, just now "Why me, O God?". The answer is,
God has nothing to do with it. In fact, God is never in France this time of year.
· Dorleac: Now you're thinking, just now 'Why me, O God?'. The answer is,
God has nothing to do with it. In fact, God is never in France this time of year.
·
· Fernand: What happened to your mercy?
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: I'm a count, not a saint.
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: I'm a count, not a saint.
·
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: Life is a storm, my young
friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks
the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You
must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I
will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you: as Albert
Mondego, the man!
·
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: "But I don;t believe in God"
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: But I don;t believe in God
· Edmond Dantes/The Count of Monte Cristo: But I don't believe in God!
· Abbe Faria: "That's alright, He believes in you"
· Abbe Faria: That's alright, He believes in you
· Abbe Faria: That's alright, He believes in you.
·