The Wind in the Willows

One bright summer morning, Mole asks Rat for a favor. Rat, though, isn’t listening; he’s been with his duck friends since early morning and is now composing a song about how the ducks turn tail-up to eat from the river. Mole isn’t a poetic animal, so he admits he’s not a fan of the song (apparently, the ducks don’t like it much either). But finally having Rat’s attention, Mole asks if they can call on Mr. Toad. Rat agrees immediately; Toad is always accepting visitors.

As Rat and Mole settle into the boat, with Mole rowing, Rat explains that Toad is good-natured, if not particularly intelligent. He’s conceited, but he has other great qualities. Presently, they come around a bend in the river and can see the grand estate, Toad Hall (Toad is very wealthy). Rat guides Mole to the boathouse, which looks deserted. Looking around, Rat says that Toad must have given up boating. Who knows what his newest hobby might be.

Rat leads Mole across the lawn until they find Toad resting in the garden. Toad leaps up immediately, and without waiting to be introduced to Mole, says he was going to send for Rat and Mole today. They must have a meal. Rat suggests they sit a while first, sinking into a chair. Mole observes politely that the house is lovely, and Toad boasts that it’s the finest house on the river. He notices Rat nudge Mole and turns red—but then laughs, says this is just how he is, and notes that it’s inarguable that the house is fine.

Then, Toad says he wanted to talk to Rat anyway; it’s extremely important. Sighing, Rat says this must be about Toad’s rowing, which needs work. But Toad looks disgusted and says boating is a waste of time. He’s done with it, and now he’s discovered what a real hobby is. At this, he leads Rat and Mole to the stable and draws out a “gipsy caravan” painted bright yellow. He cries that it represents “real life,” and that he’ll be able to see the whole world. Mole is intrigued, so he follows Toad into the caravan to admire the interior. There’s even a caged bird inside, in addition to games and provisions. Toad says it has everything they need—and they’ll set off this afternoon.

Rat refuses, so Toad begs him to come. Going away, Toad insists, will “make an animal” out of Rat. Rat insists that he’s not going, and Mole isn’t either. Mole, loyal to Rat, says he’s obviously staying, though it would’ve been fun. Seeing how disappointed Mole looks, Rat’s resolve wavers. Toad suggests they have lunch and talk it over, since he really just wants to make his friends happy. Over lunch, Toad—who can tell Mole is inexperienced and young—regales Mole with tales of the road. Soon, it seems like a given that they’re all going. Afraid to disappoint his friends, even Rat agrees.

Thrilled, Toad tells Rat and Mole to capture his old gray horse—who does not want to be caught—and Toad packs some final provisions. Soon, they’re off. The afternoon is idyllic: passersby stop to compliment the cart, and the sunlight is beautiful. In the evening, the travelers pull over, let the horse graze, and eat their supper. As the stars come out, Toad talks about all he’s going to do in the coming weeks. Finally, they all climb into their bunks. Toad sneers that this is the life for a gentleman; now Rat can talk about his river. Sadly, Rat says he thinks about his river all the time. Mole takes Rat’s paw and suggests they run away in the morning, but Rat says they must stay for Toad’s sake. He’s not safe on his own.

In the morning, Toad refuses to wake up. So, Rat and Mole attend to the horse, do the dishes from the night before, and walk to the village for breakfast foods that Toad didn’t pack. All the hard work is done by the time Toad gets up, so he remarks that life is easy on the road. The day is pleasant, but in the evening Rat and Mole make Toad do his fair share of the work. By the following morning, Toad is disillusioned by life on the road. But the travelers continue on—until disaster strikes.

While Mole walks with the horse (who feels very left out), Rat and Toad walk behind the cart. Rat pretends to listen to Toad as Toad chatters on. Then, in the distance behind them, they see a cloud of dust and hear a faint “Poop-poop!” sound. They all ignore this—until suddenly, the “poop-poop” (a car) drives up behind them, passes them, and then turns into a cloud of dust ahead. The horse is terrified and, in his panic, causes the caravan to overturn in the ditch. Rat shouts at the driver, threatening to drag them through the courts for driving so rudely. But Toad sits in the middle of the road, murmuring “poop-poop!” with a satisfied expression on his face.

Finally, Mole calms the horse down. The caravan is damaged, and Mole and Rat aren’t strong enough to get it out of the ditch themselves, so they ask Toad for help. But Toad doesn’t move—he continues to sit and say, “poop-poop!” When Rat shakes Toad, Toad says he’s seen “the poetry of motion” and laments that before this moment, he never dreamed of what’s possible.

Mole turns to Rat, concerned, but Rat says there’s nothing to do. Toad, Rat explains, is “possessed,” and he’ll be like this for a few days and will be totally useless. So, Rat grabs the distraught bird in her cage and the horse, and he leads Mole down the road to get help. Mole is concerned for Toad’s safety, but Rat is too angry to care. Before too long, though, Toad runs up behind his friends. Rat tells Toad to lodge a complaint against the driver with the police once they get to town; then, Toad must arrange for someone to fix the cart. He and Mole will get rooms for them at an inn. Toad says he could never complain about that “beautiful, […] heavenly vision.” He’s done with carts. Now he’s discovered cars, and can’t wait to throw carts into the ditch as he zooms by.

Rat gives Mole a despairing look and says that when they get to town, the two of them can get a train back to the river. At the town, they drop Toad in the station waiting area, leave the horse at the inn, and arrange for someone to deal with the cart. Then, they catch the train and deposit Toad at Toad Hall. Rat and Mole are home in time for a late supper. The following evening, Rat strolls up to Mole with news: Toad has just bought a big, expensive car.