The Wind in the Willows: Mr. Toad

One bright morning in early summer, the Badger came to the Rat’s house with serious news.“The hour has come,” he said. “A new, very powerful motor-car arrives at Toad Hall today, and we must stop Toad before he is badly hurt.”When they reached Toad Hall, Toad came out in huge goggles, a cap, and a big coat, ready to drive.

“Hullo, you fellows!” Toad cried. “You’re just in time to come for a jolly ride!”But the Badger took him firmly by the arm, led him into a small room, and shut the door.The Rat and Mole waited outside, and soon they heard the Badger’s long, serious speech, and then the sound of Toad crying.

After nearly an hour the door opened, and the Badger said, “Toad is very sorry, and he will never drive a motor-car again. Isn’t that right, Toad?”Toad looked around, and then he said, “No! I’m not sorry at all — and the very first motor-car I see, poop-poop, off I go in it!”“Very well,” said the Badger. “Then you will stay in your bedroom until you come to your senses.”

The three friends took turns guarding Toad, and one morning Toad lay in bed looking pale and weak.“Please fetch the doctor, Ratty,” he whispered, “and — the lawyer too.”The worried Rat locked the door and hurried off to the village, but the moment he was gone, Toad jumped out of bed, tied his sheets together, and climbed out of the window.

In the next town, Toad saw a beautiful motor-car standing empty outside an inn called the Red Lion.“I wonder if this sort of car starts easily,” he thought, and before he knew it, he was driving off down the road at top speed.“I am Toad, the great Toad, the Lord of the Road!” he sang, as the car roared along.

But the car belonged to someone else, so Toad was soon arrested and taken to court.The judge found him guilty of stealing the car, driving dangerously, and being very rude to the police, and sent him to prison for twenty years.The guards dragged poor Toad to the deepest, darkest dungeon of an old castle, and the heavy door shut behind him with a clang.