Toad in Trouble

The Wind in the Willows 44 Toad in Trouble

Rap! Rap! Rap! The judge pounded his desk. Toad stood with his head bowed. Everyone in the court looked angry.

“ Clerk! ” the judge yelled. “ Mr. Toad is the worst criminal I know. How long can we lock him up?”

“ Let me see, ” said the clerk. “ He stole a car. He drove very dangerously. He was rude to the police. ”

“ My friends know I’m not terrible, ” thought Toad. But Toad’s friends were not there. “ Let me add everything up, ” said the clerk. “ His penalty is twenty years. ”

“ Excellent! ” cried the judge. “ Take him away! ” The police chained Toad’s hands and feet. “ Come with us, ” said a policeman. They dragged him from the court.