Calico Illustrated Classics: The Wind in the Willows
dreamed it would be the perfect home for an animal who longed to live by the river Just then something popped out of the hole and winked at Mole It was a little brown face with whiskers It had small ears and thick silky hair It was a water rat The two animals stood and stared at each other cautiously Hello Mole said Rat Hello Rat said Mole Would you like to come over asked Rat Mole was wondering how he’d reach the other side when he saw Rat unfasten a rope and step into a boat Mole hadn’t noticed the boat before It was painted blue outside and white inside It was the perfect size for two small animals Even though Mole wasn’t exactly sure what it was he stepped into it when it arrived This is a wonderful day said Mole I’ve never been in a boat before Rat shoved off What cried Rat Never been in a boat What have you been doing 6
Believe me there is nothing as good as messing about in boats all day Look out Rat cried Mole suddenly It was too late The boat struck the bank full tilt Rat lay on his back at the bottom of the boat His heels were in the air Rat picked himself up and laughed It doesn’t matter if you even get anywhere in a boat As long as you are in a boat it’s a wonderful day said Rat Mole wiggled his toes as Rat steered toward a dock Why not spend the day with me asked Rat He scurried off the boat and brought back a lunch basket He lifted the lid to show Mole the treats inside Mole couldn’t believe his luck I can hardly wait to begin Soon Mole was lost in his thoughts He was thinking about this new world he had entered with his new friend He felt quite fortunate 8
After a half hour Rat felt it was okay to disturb Mole I like your jacket very much I beg your pardon said Mole You must think I’ve been rude just staring at the river all this time This is all so new to me He sucked in his breath So this is a river The river corrected Rat What a jolly life you have said Mole Rat agreed It’s my world I don’t want any other Whether it’s winter spring summer or fall the river is always exciting Isn’t it dull sometimes asked Mole Just you and the river Rat laughed You are new at this Actually the bank is crowded with animals Otters kingfishers moorhens and all sorts of creatures live here They always want to do something What lies over there asked Mole waving a paw toward the woods on one side of the river That Oh just the Wild Wood said Rat We riverbankers don’t go in there too often 9
