Chapters 8-11 Summary and Analysis

Jaypaw is angry because Firestar has chosen the one-eyed Brightheart to be his mentor. Is it because he's blind? While Jaypaw goes into the sulking mode, Ashfur, Lionpaw's mentor, shows him around the forest, while Leafpool takes her new apprentice Hollypaw on an herb-gathering expedition.

Brightheart takes Jaypaw to the elders' den to visit the ancient Longtail who chides the youngster about his attitude and comments pointedly that not many cats would try fox hunting before they're even out of the nursery. And Brightheart has a job for him. She instructs him to clean out the elders' bedding and check Longtail and Mousefur for fleas and ticks. Then Longtail, who is also blind, clues Jaypaw in on one of the advantages of being blind: scents become much sharper and far more important.

Jaypaw ventures into the forest with Brightheart...