Young James Madison learned to read at the age of five and books became his world for the next five years. In March 1761 he reached his tenth birthday and his learning moved in a diffrent direction. His father posed a special challenge to his oldest son. Father Madison said, "I have hired a master builder to construct a large, brick home for our family. As my first born son, you have special rights and also, special obligations." He went on and told young James, "I ask that you go to the work site each day to serve as my eyes and ears. From the digging of the basement to the firing of the bricks to the felling of the trees that will become the beams to hold up the house and the rafters to hold up the roof, you, Jemmy, will be there to watch and learn how our new home is put together.