Mole lived in a gloomy underground house all by himself One morning he worked so hard spring-cleaning that his arms began to ache I’m tired of this he cried heading out into the sunlight He ran across meadows and by bushes passing rabbits birds and beautiful flowers as he went Soon Mole reached the riverbank and looked across the water He saw a little brown face with whiskers and twinkly eyes I’m Ratty called the friendly creature Do you want to come for a boat ride Mole had never been in a boat before so he eagerly stepped in
Do you ever get bored living here asked Mole as they rowed down the river No I have lots of friends replied Ratty Here’s one now Ratty waved as Mr Toad rowed past Last year Toad loved to sail his boat he said with a chuckle but now he loves rowing instead
Ratty docked the boat and laid out a picnic Later his friends Badger and Otter joined them and told stories about Mr Toad When it was time to go home Ratty asked Mole Would you like to come and stay with me Mole was so pleased he could hardly speak
