Toad in Jail

The Wind in the Willows 50 Toad in Jail

Toad threw himself on the floor of the jail. “ This is the end! ” cried Toad. “ I am finished! I will be here forever.

The room was dark with shadows. Water dripped: plink, plunk. Creepy bugs crawled across the stones. Toad jumped up and brushed his coat.

Toad shook the bars in the door. “ I was so stupid! ” he yelled. “ Why didn’t I listen to Rat and Mole? Oh Badger, you were so wise! ”

The jailer’s daughter brought Toad his meals. But Toad did not eat. For days, he cried in the corner of his room. The jailer’s daughter went to her father.

“ Toad is so unhappy! ” she said. “ He’s getting very thin! ” “ My girl, ” said the jailer, “ he’s a criminal. You don’t have to care for him. ”