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The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

A picture-story retelling, after Kenneth Grahame (1908)

A gentle, funny animal classic. It has a frightening night in the Wild Wood, a car crash, a prison escape and a stick-swinging battle to win back Toad Hall, all shown with humour and without harm.

The text of our illustrated edition, page by page. Read it with narration.

Mole had spring-cleaned all morning until, with a cry of “Hang spring-cleaning!”, he flung down his whitewash brush and scrabbled up his tunnel. Pop! His snout came out into the sunlight, and he was soon rolling in the warm grass of a great meadow. — 1Mole had spring-cleaned all morning until, with a cry of “Hang spring-cleaning!”, he flung down his whitewash brush and scrabbled up his tunnel. Pop! His snout came out into the sunlight, and he was soon rolling in the warm grass of a great meadow.

At the hedge an elderly rabbit demanded sixpence for passing the private road. The impatient Mole bowled him over and trotted on, crying “Onion-sauce! Onion-sauce!”, while the other rabbits peeped from their holes and grumbled at one another far too late. — 2At the hedge an elderly rabbit demanded sixpence for passing the private road. The impatient Mole bowled him over and trotted on, crying “Onion-sauce! Onion-sauce!”, while the other rabbits peeped from their holes and grumbled at one another far too late.

Rambling on through the meadows, Mole came at last to a river, the first he had ever seen, all glints and chatter. He sat entranced on the bank until, in a dark hole opposite, a twinkling eye appeared, then a brown, whiskered face. It was the Water Rat! — 3Rambling on through the meadows, Mole came at last to a river, the first he had ever seen, all glints and chatter. He sat entranced on the bank until, in a dark hole opposite, a twinkling eye appeared, then a brown, whiskered face. It was the Water Rat!

Rat sculled over in a little blue-and-white boat, and Mole stepped gingerly aboard. Rat fetched a fat wicker luncheon-basket. “What's inside it?” asked Mole. “Coldchickencoldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssalad—” “O stop, stop,” cried Mole in ecstasies. “This is too much!” — 4Rat sculled over in a little blue-and-white boat, and Mole stepped gingerly aboard. Rat fetched a fat wicker luncheon-basket. “What's inside it?” asked Mole. “Coldchickencoldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssalad—” “O stop, stop,” cried Mole in ecstasies. “This is too much!”

As they drifted downstream, Mole pointed to a dark wood beyond the water-meadows. “That's just the Wild Wood,” said Rat shortly. Badger lived there, but weasels and stoats could not be trusted, and beyond it lay the Wide World, which no sensible animal ever visited. — 5As they drifted downstream, Mole pointed to a dark wood beyond the water-meadows. “That's just the Wild Wood,” said Rat shortly. Badger lived there, but weasels and stoats could not be trusted, and beyond it lay the Wide World, which no sensible animal ever visited.

They lunched by a backwater near the weir, Mole gasping “O my! O my!” at every packet. A streak of bubbles brought up the Otter, and they were friends at once. Badger peered from a hedge, grunted “H'm! Company,” and left, and soon Toad splashed past, rolling wildly in his new racing boat. — 6They lunched by a backwater near the weir, Mole gasping “O my! O my!” at every packet. A streak of bubbles brought up the Otter, and they were friends at once. Badger peered from a hedge, grunted “H'm! Company,” and left, and soon Toad splashed past, rolling wildly in his new racing boat.

Rowing home, Mole grew jealous and seized the sculls, though Rat cried, “You'll have us over!” He dug at the water, missed it altogether, grabbed at the side, and then: Sploosh! Over went the boat, and Mole found himself struggling in the cold river. — 7Rowing home, Mole grew jealous and seized the sculls, though Rat cried, “You'll have us over!” He dug at the water, missed it altogether, grabbed at the side, and then: Sploosh! Over went the boat, and Mole found himself struggling in the cold river.

Laughing, Rat pushed the half-drowned Mole ashore and dived for the basket. When Mole begged forgiveness, Rat said, “That's all right, bless you!” and invited him to stay. By a bright fire Rat told river stories, and promised to teach Mole to row and to swim. — 8Laughing, Rat pushed the half-drowned Mole ashore and dived for the basket. When Mole begged forgiveness, Rat said, “That's all right, bless you!” and invited him to stay. By a bright fire Rat told river stories, and promised to teach Mole to row and to swim.

One bright summer morning Mole begged Rat to take him to call on Mr. Toad, so they rowed upriver until a handsome old house of mellowed red brick rose above its lawns. "There's Toad Hall," said the Rat. "Toad is rather rich, you know, though we never admit as much to Toad." — 9One bright summer morning Mole begged Rat to take him to call on Mr. Toad, so they rowed upriver until a handsome old house of mellowed red brick rose above its lawns. "There's Toad Hall," said the Rat. "Toad is rather rich, you know, though we never admit as much to Toad."

Toad's boats hung unused in the boat-house, because boating was "a silly boyish amusement" now. In the stable-yard he showed them his new craze: a canary-yellow gipsy caravan with red wheels. "There's real life for you!" he cried. Mole fell in love with it at first sight, and the Rat, unable to disappoint him, grumbled but gave in over lunch. — 10Toad's boats hung unused in the boat-house, because boating was "a silly boyish amusement" now. In the stable-yard he showed them his new craze: a canary-yellow gipsy caravan with red wheels. "There's real life for you!" he cried. Mole fell in love with it at first sight, and the Rat, unable to disappoint him, grumbled but gave in over lunch.

That afternoon they set off down the dusty lanes, behind an old grey horse who had not been consulted and grumbled about it. They camped on a lonely common under a yellow moon. Next morning Toad slept on and could not be woken, so Rat lit the fire and Mole trudged miles for milk and eggs. — 11That afternoon they set off down the dusty lanes, behind an old grey horse who had not been consulted and grumbled about it. They camped on a lonely common under a yellow moon. Next morning Toad slept on and could not be woken, so Rat lit the fire and Mole trudged miles for milk and eggs.

On their first high-road a droning hum grew into a roar. A magnificent motor-car tore past in a whirlwind of dust, crying "Poop-poop!" The old grey horse reared and plunged, and in spite of all Mole's efforts at his head, the canary-coloured cart toppled backwards with a heartrending crash into the ditch. — 12On their first high-road a droning hum grew into a roar. A magnificent motor-car tore past in a whirlwind of dust, crying "Poop-poop!" The old grey horse reared and plunged, and in spite of all Mole's efforts at his head, the canary-coloured cart toppled backwards with a heartrending crash into the ditch.

Rat shook his fists after the car: "You road-hogs! I'll have the law of you!" But Toad sat in the dust, eyes shining, murmuring "Poop-poop!" He was quite possessed. His friends led him home by train, and the very next day the news ran along the river bank that Toad had ordered a large and very expensive motor-car. — 13Rat shook his fists after the car: "You road-hogs! I'll have the law of you!" But Toad sat in the dust, eyes shining, murmuring "Poop-poop!" He was quite possessed. His friends led him home by train, and the very next day the news ran along the river bank that Toad had ordered a large and very expensive motor-car.

Winter came, and the countryside lay bare and leafless. One afternoon, while the Rat dozed in his arm-chair by the fire over rhymes that wouldn't fit, the Mole put on his cap and new goloshes and slipped out alone. He meant to explore the Wild Wood and perhaps meet the famous, solitary Mr. Badger. — 14Winter came, and the countryside lay bare and leafless. One afternoon, while the Rat dozed in his arm-chair by the fire over rhymes that wouldn't fit, the Mole put on his cap and new goloshes and slipped out alone. He meant to explore the Wild Wood and perhaps meet the famous, solitary Mr. Badger.

At first the wood was fun, but the dusk came on fast. Then the faces began: little evil wedge-shaped faces flashing from every hole, all hard-eyed and sharp. Then came a shrill whistling, passed from end to end of the wood, and then a pattering of little feet, closing in from every side. — 15At first the wood was fun, but the dusk came on fast. Then the faces began: little evil wedge-shaped faces flashing from every hole, all hard-eyed and sharp. Then came a shrill whistling, passed from end to end of the wood, and then a pattering of little feet, closing in from every side.

In panic the Mole ran blindly until he crept into the hollow of an old beech, trembling among the dry leaves. Back home, the Rat woke, found Mole's cap and goloshes gone, and followed the fresh tracks into the wood with a brace of pistols and a stout cudgel. At last a feeble voice answered: "Ratty! Is that really you?" — 16In panic the Mole ran blindly until he crept into the hollow of an old beech, trembling among the dry leaves. Back home, the Rat woke, found Mole's cap and goloshes gone, and followed the fresh tracks into the wood with a brace of pistols and a stout cudgel. At last a feeble voice answered: "Ratty! Is that really you?"

After Mole had rested, the Rat looked out. "Snow is up," he said, "or rather, down." Every path had vanished under white. Holding on to each other, they struggled on for hours, wet, bruised and weary, among trees that all looked the same, until they were hopelessly lost. — 17After Mole had rested, the Rat looked out. "Snow is up," he said, "or rather, down." Every path had vanished under white. Holding on to each other, they struggled on for hours, wet, bruised and weary, among trees that all looked the same, until they were hopelessly lost.

In a hummocky dell the Mole cut his shin on something hidden. The Rat reasoned it out: a clean cut meant a door-scraper, a scraper meant a door-mat, and a mat meant a door. They dug, and found a green door with a brass plate reading MR. BADGER. The Mole leapt to the bell-pull and swung on it while the Rat hammered. — 18In a hummocky dell the Mole cut his shin on something hidden. The Rat reasoned it out: a clean cut meant a door-scraper, a scraper meant a door-mat, and a mat meant a door. They dug, and found a green door with a brass plate reading MR. BADGER. The Mole leapt to the bell-pull and swung on it while the Rat hammered.

At last slow, shuffling footsteps answered, and a gruff voice demanded who was disturbing people on such a night. But when the Badger saw the Rat, his voice changed at once. “Come along in, both of you. Why, you must be perished!” He led the snowy pair down a shabby passage and flung open the door to his great fire-lit kitchen. — 19At last slow, shuffling footsteps answered, and a gruff voice demanded who was disturbing people on such a night. But when the Badger saw the Rat, his voice changed at once. “Come along in, both of you. Why, you must be perished!” He led the snowy pair down a shabby passage and flung open the door to his great fire-lit kitchen.

Badger bathed Mole’s cut shin and patched it as good as new, then fed them a splendid supper. Afterwards, by the embers, the Rat told him that Toad had smashed his seventh motor-car. Badger thought hard. When winter was over, he declared, “we’ll take Toad seriously in hand. We’ll make him be a sensible Toad”—and then caught the Rat nodding off. — 20Badger bathed Mole’s cut shin and patched it as good as new, then fed them a splendid supper. Afterwards, by the embers, the Rat told him that Toad had smashed his seventh motor-car. Badger thought hard. When winter was over, he declared, “we’ll take Toad seriously in hand. We’ll make him be a sensible Toad”—and then caught the Rat nodding off.

Next morning they breakfasted with two young hedgehogs lost on their way to school, and Otter burst in, having searched for them through the snow. After lunch Badger lit a lantern and led Mole through endless pillared halls. “Very long ago,” he said, “there was a city here. People come, they build, and they go. But we remain.” — 21Next morning they breakfasted with two young hedgehogs lost on their way to school, and Otter burst in, having searched for them through the snow. After lunch Badger lit a lantern and led Mole through endless pillared halls. “Very long ago,” he said, “there was a city here. People come, they build, and they go. But we remain.”

The restless Rat longed for his river, so Badger led them down a winding secret tunnel that came out at the very edge of the wood. With Otter guiding, they hurried home across the snowy fields under the low red sun. And Mole knew he belonged to the hedgerows, the ploughed furrow and the quiet garden-plot, which held adventure enough for a lifetime. — 22The restless Rat longed for his river, so Badger led them down a winding secret tunnel that came out at the very edge of the wood. With Otter guiding, they hurried home across the snowy fields under the low red sun. And Mole knew he belonged to the hedgerows, the ploughed furrow and the quiet garden-plot, which held adventure enough for a lifetime.

One December dusk, Mole and Rat were tramping home from a day with Otter, through a little snow-dusted village. Rat said the people would all be indoors, so the two friends crept from window to window, gazing wistfully into lamplit rooms where cats were stroked and sleepy children were carried up to bed. — 23One December dusk, Mole and Rat were tramping home from a day with Otter, through a little snow-dusted village. Rat said the people would all be indoors, so the two friends crept from window to window, gazing wistfully into lamplit rooms where cats were stroked and sleepy children were carried up to bed.

Beyond the village a faint, familiar smell suddenly stopped Mole dead in the dark road: home, his own old home, close by and calling him back! "Ratty! Hold on! Come back!" he cried. But Rat, far ahead and worried about the coming snow, only called back to hurry, and loyal Mole tore himself away and followed. — 24Beyond the village a faint, familiar smell suddenly stopped Mole dead in the dark road: home, his own old home, close by and calling him back! "Ratty! Hold on! Come back!" he cried. But Rat, far ahead and worried about the coming snow, only called back to hurry, and loyal Mole tore himself away and followed.

When Rat at last sat them down to rest on some tree-stumps, Mole burst into helpless sobs and poured out the whole story. Rat stared ahead in silence, patting his friend's shoulder, deeply ashamed. "What a pig I have been!" he muttered, and he turned straight round to go back and find Mole's home. — 25When Rat at last sat them down to rest on some tree-stumps, Mole burst into helpless sobs and poured out the whole story. Rat stared ahead in silence, patting his friend's shoulder, deeply ashamed. "What a pig I have been!" he muttered, and he turned straight round to go back and find Mole's home.

Linked arm in arm they went back until Mole caught the scent again; his nose led them over a ditch, through a hedge and down a tunnel to Mole End. Inside, Mole collapsed in dismay at the dust and shabbiness, but Rat bustled about lighting lamps and a roaring fire, praising the snug little house. — 26Linked arm in arm they went back until Mole caught the scent again; his nose led them over a ditch, through a hedge and down a tunnel to Mole End. Inside, Mole collapsed in dismay at the dust and shabbiness, but Rat bustled about lighting lamps and a roaring fire, praising the snug little house.

As they sat down to a scraped-together supper, small feet scuffled outside. The field-mice had come carolling, as they did every year! In the lantern-lit forecourt they sang shrilly: "Villagers all, this frosty tide, let your doors swing open wide." Rat sent the eldest off with a basket to the shops, and Mole drew the rest in. — 27As they sat down to a scraped-together supper, small feet scuffled outside. The field-mice had come carolling, as they did every year! In the lantern-lit forecourt they sang shrilly: "Villagers all, this frosty tide, let your doors swing open wide." Rat sent the eldest off with a basket to the shops, and Mole drew the rest in.

Soon mulled ale was steaming and the table was heaped with good things; the field-mice ate, laughed and gossiped, and went home with stuffed pockets. At last, tucked into his own bunk, Mole gazed round his firelit room. He would always return to the wide world above, but it was good to have this simple home to come back to. — 28Soon mulled ale was steaming and the table was heaped with good things; the field-mice ate, laughed and gossiped, and went home with stuffed pockets. At last, tucked into his own bunk, Mole gazed round his firelit room. He would always return to the wide world above, but it was good to have this simple home to come back to.

One bright early-summer morning, as Rat and Mole finished breakfast, Mr. Badger strode heavily into their parlour, looking very serious. A new and powerful motor-car was arriving at Toad Hall that very day, and Badger meant to act. "The hour has come!" he announced. "Toad's hour!" — 29One bright early-summer morning, as Rat and Mole finished breakfast, Mr. Badger strode heavily into their parlour, looking very serious. A new and powerful motor-car was arriving at Toad Hall that very day, and Badger meant to act. "The hour has come!" he announced. "Toad's hour!"

At Toad Hall a huge shiny red motor-car stood waiting, and Toad came swaggering down the steps in goggles, cap, gaiters and an enormous overcoat. "Hullo! Come for a jolly—for a—er—" His invitation faltered at his friends' stern faces. Badger sent the chauffeur away and ordered Toad taken inside. — 30At Toad Hall a huge shiny red motor-car stood waiting, and Toad came swaggering down the steps in goggles, cap, gaiters and an enormous overcoat. "Hullo! Come for a jolly—for a—er—" His invitation faltered at his friends' stern faces. Badger sent the chauffeur away and ordered Toad taken inside.

Inside, Rat sat on the kicking Toad while Mole peeled off his motor-clothes bit by bit. After a long private talk with Badger, a tearful Toad promised to give up motor-cars, then took it back: "The very first motor-car I see, poop-poop! off I go in it!" So they locked him in his bedroom and took turns guarding him. — 31Inside, Rat sat on the kicking Toad while Mole peeled off his motor-clothes bit by bit. After a long private talk with Badger, a tearful Toad promised to give up motor-cars, then took it back: "The very first motor-car I see, poop-poop! off I go in it!" So they locked him in his bedroom and took turns guarding him.

One morning Toad lay feebly in bed and begged Rat to fetch a doctor, and a lawyer too. Alarmed, Rat locked the door and hurried off to the village. At once Toad hopped out of bed, dressed in his smartest suit, filled his pockets with cash, and slid down knotted sheets from his window, whistling a merry tune. — 32One morning Toad lay feebly in bed and begged Rat to fetch a doctor, and a lawyer too. Alarmed, Rat locked the door and hurried off to the village. At once Toad hopped out of bed, dressed in his smartest suit, filled his pockets with cash, and slid down knotted sheets from his window, whistling a merry tune.

Miles away at the Red Lion, Toad was halfway through a fine luncheon when a motor-car poop-pooped into the inn-yard. "There cannot be any harm in my only just looking at it!" he told himself. Next moment he had cranked the handle, leapt into the driver's seat and roared off down the high road, Toad the terror, the traffic-queller, mad with joy. — 33Miles away at the Red Lion, Toad was halfway through a fine luncheon when a motor-car poop-pooped into the inn-yard. "There cannot be any harm in my only just looking at it!" he told himself. Next moment he had cranked the handle, leapt into the driver's seat and roared off down the high road, Toad the terror, the traffic-queller, mad with joy.

In court, a pompous magistrate added up twelve months for stealing the car, three years for furious driving and fifteen for cheeking the police, then made it a round twenty years. The policemen loaded Toad with chains and dragged him past a jeering crowd and over the drawbridge into the deepest dungeon of the grim old castle. — 34In court, a pompous magistrate added up twelve months for stealing the car, three years for furious driving and fifteen for cheeking the police, then made it a round twenty years. The policemen loaded Toad with chains and dragged him past a jeering crowd and over the drawbridge into the deepest dungeon of the grim old castle.

On a hot midsummer night, Rat came home to Mole with bad news: little Portly had been missing for days. Otter, more anxious than he would admit, was keeping watch every night at the old ford where he had taught his son to swim, on the chance the child would come back there. — 35On a hot midsummer night, Rat came home to Mole with bad news: little Portly had been missing for days. Otter, more anxious than he would admit, was keeping watch every night at the old ford where he had taught his son to swim, on the chance the child would come back there.

Unable to sleep, the friends rowed upstream and searched the silver banks by moonlight. Toward dawn Rat sat up, trembling, at a distant piping. "Row on, Mole, row! For the music and the call must be for us," he cried, and Mole steered into a long backwater toward the murmur of the weir. — 36Unable to sleep, the friends rowed upstream and searched the silver banks by moonlight. Toward dawn Rat sat up, trembling, at a distant piping. "Row on, Mole, row! For the music and the call must be for us," he cried, and Mole steered into a long backwater toward the murmur of the weir.

They landed on the little island inside the weir's curve, and a great awe fell on them. Raising his head, Mole looked into the kindly eyes of the Friend and Helper, horned and smiling, his pan-pipes just lowered, and nestled between his hooves lay baby Portly, sleeping in perfect peace. Trembling, the two friends bowed their heads in worship. — 37They landed on the little island inside the weir's curve, and a great awe fell on them. Raising his head, Mole looked into the kindly eyes of the Friend and Helper, horned and smiling, his pan-pipes just lowered, and nestled between his hooves lay baby Portly, sleeping in perfect peace. Trembling, the two friends bowed their heads in worship.

Then the sun's golden disc rose and dazzled them, and when they could look again the Vision was gone. A little breeze brushed their faces and brought the gift of forgetting. "Why, there he is, the little fellow!" cried Rat, running to the sleeping Portly, while Mole stood still, trying to recall a beautiful dream. — 38Then the sun's golden disc rose and dazzled them, and when they could look again the Vision was gone. A little breeze brushed their faces and brought the gift of forgetting. "Why, there he is, the little fellow!" cried Rat, running to the sleeping Portly, while Mole stood still, trying to recall a beautiful dream.

They rowed Portly back and set him on the tow-path near the ford. He waddled off, then broke into a clumsy run, and Otter bounded up from the shallows with an amazed, joyous bark. Drifting homeward in the sun, the tired friends heard the wind in the reeds like far-away music, until Rat fell asleep smiling. — 39They rowed Portly back and set him on the tow-path near the ford. He waddled off, then broke into a clumsy run, and Otter bounded up from the shallows with an amazed, joyous bark. Drifting homeward in the sun, the tired friends heard the wind in the reeds like far-away music, until Rat fell asleep smiling.

Toad wept for weeks in his dungeon, crying, "This is the end of everything!" But the gaoler's kind daughter took pity on him. She brought him bubble-and-squeak, then a tray of hot tea and thick buttered toast, and soon Toad sat up, dried his eyes and began boasting happily about Toad Hall. — 40Toad wept for weeks in his dungeon, crying, "This is the end of everything!" But the gaoler's kind daughter took pity on him. She brought him bubble-and-squeak, then a tray of hot tea and thick buttered toast, and soon Toad sat up, dried his eyes and began boasting happily about Toad Hall.

The girl had a plan. Her aunt, the prison washerwoman, was poor, and Toad was rich. For a few gold sovereigns the old lady gave up her print gown, apron, shawl and rusty black bonnet, and asked to be tied up in the corner so she could keep her job. "You're the very image of her," giggled the girl. — 41The girl had a plan. Her aunt, the prison washerwoman, was poor, and Toad was rich. For a few gold sovereigns the old lady gave up her print gown, apron, shawl and rusty black bonnet, and asked to be tied up in the corner so she could keep her job. "You're the very image of her," giggled the girl.

With a quaking heart Toad set off. The washerwoman's familiar print gown opened every barred door, and warders hurried him along, eager for their tea. He bore their clumsy jokes with difficulty, dodged the last warder's arms, and at last heard the wicket-gate click shut behind him. He was free! — 42With a quaking heart Toad set off. The washerwoman's familiar print gown opened every barred door, and warders hurried him along, eager for their tea. He bore their clumsy jokes with difficulty, dodged the last warder's arms, and at last heard the wicket-gate click shut behind him. He was free!

At the railway station Toad asked for a ticket home, then found he had left his coat, waistcoat and money in his cell. "I'll send the money on to-morrow," he tried grandly. The clerk only laughed. "Stand away from the window, please, madam!" he said, and an old gentleman pushed Toad aside. — 43At the railway station Toad asked for a ticket home, then found he had left his coat, waistcoat and money in his cell. "I'll send the money on to-morrow," he tried grandly. The clerk only laughed. "Stand away from the window, please, madam!" he said, and an old gentleman pushed Toad aside.

On the platform a kindly engine-driver offered the weeping 'washerwoman' a ride in exchange for washing his shirts. They steamed off, but by moonlight another engine came after them, crowded with warders, policemen and detectives, all shouting, "Stop, stop, stop!" Toad confessed everything, and the driver, who didn't hold with motor-cars, promised to help him. — 44On the platform a kindly engine-driver offered the weeping 'washerwoman' a ride in exchange for washing his shirts. They steamed off, but by moonlight another engine came after them, crowded with warders, policemen and detectives, all shouting, "Stop, stop, stop!" Toad confessed everything, and the driver, who didn't hold with motor-cars, promised to help him.

Beyond a long tunnel the driver braked and cried, "Now, jump!" Toad leapt, rolled down the bank unhurt, and hid while the pursuers roared past. But the strange wood seemed to mock him: an owl hooted ho! ho! ho! and a fox sneered, "Hullo, washerwoman!" Cold and tired, Toad made a bed of leaves in a hollow tree and slept till morning. — 45Beyond a long tunnel the driver braked and cried, "Now, jump!" Toad leapt, rolled down the bank unhurt, and hid while the pursuers roared past. But the strange wood seemed to mock him: an owl hooted ho! ho! ho! and a fox sneered, "Hullo, washerwoman!" Cold and tired, Toad made a bed of leaves in a hollow tree and slept till morning.

As summer turned to gold, the Rat grew restless. The field-mice were packing trunks for winter quarters, and the swallows in the osiers talked dreamily of the South, of violet seas and lizard-haunted walls. Rat climbed the slope and gazed at the Downs, his old horizon, wondering for the first time what lay beyond. — 46As summer turned to gold, the Rat grew restless. The field-mice were packing trunks for winter quarters, and the swallows in the osiers talked dreamily of the South, of violet seas and lizard-haunted walls. Rat climbed the slope and gazed at the Downs, his old horizon, wondering for the first time what lay beyond.

By the dusty road Rat met a lean, footsore stranger with gold earrings, a seafaring rat bound South again. Over a roadside lunch of long French bread, garlic sausage, cheese and a straw-covered flask of red wine, the Sea Rat told of golden Venice by night, jolly weeks in Sicily, wine-casks towed ashore like porpoises, and the shellfish of Marseilles. — 47By the dusty road Rat met a lean, footsore stranger with gold earrings, a seafaring rat bound South again. Over a roadside lunch of long French bread, garlic sausage, cheese and a straw-covered flask of red wine, the Sea Rat told of golden Venice by night, jolly weeks in Sicily, wine-casks towed ashore like porpoises, and the shellfish of Marseilles.

"Take the Adventure, heed the call!" The Sea Rat walked on, and Rat, in a trance, packed his satchel and strode out, but Mole met him at the door. He saw his friend's eyes had gone a strange shifting grey, so he held him fast until the fit broke. That evening Mole quietly left paper and a pencil, and soon Rat was lost in writing poetry. — 48"Take the Adventure, heed the call!" The Sea Rat walked on, and Rat, in a trance, packed his satchel and strode out, but Mole met him at the door. He saw his friend's eyes had gone a strange shifting grey, so he held him fast until the fit broke. That evening Mole quietly left paper and a pencil, and soon Rat was lost in writing poetry.

Following a canal, Toad met a stout barge-woman, who kindly offered the poor 'washerwoman' a ride towards Toad Hall. Then she set Toad to do her washing. For half an hour he slapped and punched the garments, lost the soap again and again, and got crosser by the minute, while his precious paws went all crinkly. — 49Following a canal, Toad met a stout barge-woman, who kindly offered the poor 'washerwoman' a ride towards Toad Hall. Then she set Toad to do her washing. For half an hour he slapped and punched the garments, lost the soap again and again, and got crosser by the minute, while his precious paws went all crinkly.

When the barge-woman burst out laughing at such a humbug, Toad lost his temper. "I would have you to know that I am a Toad!" he shouted. "Why, so you are!" she cried, and she seized him by a fore-leg and a hind-leg and flung him whirling through the air into the canal. — 50When the barge-woman burst out laughing at such a humbug, Toad lost his temper. "I would have you to know that I am a Toad!" he shouted. "Why, so you are!" she cried, and she seized him by a fore-leg and a hind-leg and flung him whirling through the air into the canal.

Dripping and furious, Toad ran after her, cut loose her barge-horse and galloped off across country. On a wide common he sold the horse to a travelling horse trader for six shillings and sixpence, and as much stew as he could eat, out of a pot full of partridges, pheasants and hares. He had never eaten so good a breakfast. — 51Dripping and furious, Toad ran after her, cut loose her barge-horse and galloped off across country. On a wide common he sold the horse to a travelling horse trader for six shillings and sixpence, and as much stew as he could eat, out of a pot full of partridges, pheasants and hares. He had never eaten so good a breakfast.

Full of stew and pride, Toad swaggered along, singing the most conceited song any animal ever made: "The world has held great Heroes, as history-books have showed; but never a name to go down to fame compared with that of Toad!" Then a motor-car came along the high road, and he stepped out to beg a lift. — 52Full of stew and pride, Toad swaggered along, singing the most conceited song any animal ever made: "The world has held great Heroes, as history-books have showed; but never a name to go down to fame compared with that of Toad!" Then a motor-car came along the high road, and he stepped out to beg a lift.

It was the very car he had stolen! But its owners took the fainting 'washerwoman' for a poor old thing and kindly gave her a lift. Toad begged to drive, sped faster and faster, and shouted out who he really was. As they seized him, he swung the wheel and the car crashed through a hedge into a horse-pond. — 53It was the very car he had stolen! But its owners took the fainting 'washerwoman' for a poor old thing and kindly gave her a lift. Toad begged to drive, sped faster and faster, and shouted out who he really was. As they seized him, he swung the wheel and the car crashed through a hedge into a horse-pond.

Toad ran off laughing, until a chauffeur and two large policemen came chasing after him. Fleeing blindly, he plunged into the river, and the rushing water swept him along until he caught the edge of a dark hole in the bank. Something small and bright twinkled in its depths, and a familiar face grew round it. It was the Water Rat! — 54Toad ran off laughing, until a chauffeur and two large policemen came chasing after him. Fleeing blindly, he plunged into the river, and the rushing water swept him along until he caught the edge of a dark hole in the bank. Something small and bright twinkled in its depths, and a familiar face grew round it. It was the Water Rat!

Rat hauled the dripping Toad up out of the river by his scruff, and Toad began bragging at once about his escapes and disguises. Rat would have none of it. Over lunch he told his old friend plainly what an ass he had been, and Toad gave in at last, promising to live a quiet, respectable life. — 55Rat hauled the dripping Toad up out of the river by his scruff, and Toad began bragging at once about his escapes and disguises. Rat would have none of it. Over lunch he told his old friend plainly what an ass he had been, and Toad gave in at last, promising to live a quiet, respectable life.

Then Rat gave him terrible news. One wild, rainy night, while Mole and Badger sat by the fire guarding Toad Hall, the stoats, weasels and ferrets burst in from every side and threw them out into the storm. "And the Wild Wooders have been living in Toad Hall ever since," said Rat. — 56Then Rat gave him terrible news. One wild, rainy night, while Mole and Badger sat by the fire guarding Toad Hall, the stoats, weasels and ferrets burst in from every side and threw them out into the storm. "And the Wild Wooders have been living in Toad Hall ever since," said Rat.

Toad would not wait. He marched to his front gate, but a ferret sentry fired over his head and sent him scampering home. He tried again by water, but as he rowed under the little bridge, two stoats dropped a great stone that smashed through Rat's boat. "It will be your head next time, Toady!" they jeered. — 57Toad would not wait. He marched to his front gate, but a ferret sentry fired over his head and sent him scampering home. He tried again by water, but as he rowed under the little bridge, two stoats dropped a great stone that smashed through Rat's boat. "It will be your head next time, Toady!" they jeered.

That night a weary Badger and Mole arrived. Badger revealed a secret tunnel that led up into the butler's pantry, and planned to attack during the Chief Weasel's birthday banquet. Next morning Mole put on the washerwoman's dress and scared the stoat sentries with tales of a huge army on its way. "Good Mole! Clever Mole!" said Badger, while Toad sulked with jealousy. — 58That night a weary Badger and Mole arrived. Badger revealed a secret tunnel that led up into the butler's pantry, and planned to attack during the Chief Weasel's birthday banquet. Next morning Mole put on the washerwoman's dress and scared the stoat sentries with tales of a huge army on its way. "Good Mole! Clever Mole!" said Badger, while Toad sulked with jealousy.

At dusk the Rat called everyone into his parlour and fitted out each one for the expedition: belts, swords, cutlasses, pistols, truncheons and handcuffs. Badger only laughed. "It amuses you and it doesn't hurt me. I'm going to do all I've got to do with this here stick." — 59At dusk the Rat called everyone into his parlour and fitted out each one for the expedition: belts, swords, cutlasses, pistols, truncheons and handcuffs. Badger only laughed. "It amuses you and it doesn't hurt me. I'm going to do all I've got to do with this here stick."

Badger led them into a hole in the river-bank, and Toad promptly slipped into the water with a splash. Wet and shivering, he lagged behind in the dark tunnel. When Rat called, "Come on, Toad!", he rushed forward so wildly that he knocked Rat into Mole and Mole into Badger, and Badger nearly left him behind for good. — 60Badger led them into a hole in the river-bank, and Toad promptly slipped into the water with a splash. Wet and shivering, he lagged behind in the dark tunnel. When Rat called, "Come on, Toad!", he rushed forward so wildly that he knocked Rat into Mole and Mole into Badger, and Badger nearly left him behind for good.

They pushed up through the trap-door into the pantry while the Chief Weasel squeaked a mocking song about Toad at the banquet. Badger cried, "The hour is come! Follow me!" and flung the door wide. The four friends charged in with their sticks, and the weasels fled through windows and up chimneys, while outside the panicking sentries tumbled into the river. — 61They pushed up through the trap-door into the pantry while the Chief Weasel squeaked a mocking song about Toad at the banquet. Badger cried, "The hour is come! Follow me!" and flung the door wide. The four friends charged in with their sticks, and the weasels fled through windows and up chimneys, while outside the panicking sentries tumbled into the river.

On the evening of the victory banquet, after his friends had forbidden any speeches or songs, Toad locked his bedroom door, set out his chairs in a semicircle and sang his Last Little Song to an audience only he could see: "The Toad—came—home!" He sang it twice over, heaved a long sigh, and plastered his hair down flat. — 62On the evening of the victory banquet, after his friends had forbidden any speeches or songs, Toad locked his bedroom door, set out his chairs in a semicircle and sang his Last Little Song to an audience only he could see: "The Toad—came—home!" He sang it twice over, heaved a long sigh, and plastered his hair down flat.

Downstairs, a quiet and modest Toad praised everyone else, refused every call for a speech, and left Badger and Rat staring at each other open-mouthed. Afterwards he sent the gaoler's daughter a gold locket with a grateful letter, properly rewarded the engine-driver, and, though he grumbled about it, paid the barge-woman for her horse. He was indeed an altered Toad! — 63Downstairs, a quiet and modest Toad praised everyone else, refused every call for a speech, and left Badger and Rat staring at each other open-mouthed. Afterwards he sent the gaoler's daughter a gold locket with a grateful letter, properly rewarded the engine-driver, and, though he grumbled about it, paid the barge-woman for her horse. He was indeed an altered Toad!

On long summer evenings the four friends strolled through the tamed Wild Wood, where the mother-weasels held up their babies and pointed: "Look, baby! There goes the great Mr. Toad!" To quiet a naughty child, they said the terrible grey Badger would get them, though in fact Badger was rather fond of children. — 64On long summer evenings the four friends strolled through the tamed Wild Wood, where the mother-weasels held up their babies and pointed: "Look, baby! There goes the great Mr. Toad!" To quiet a naughty child, they said the terrible grey Badger would get them, though in fact Badger was rather fond of children.

Adapted from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, public domain. Pictures are AI illustrations drawn for this edition.