The Wind in the Willows 风雨河岸柳

The Wind in the Willows

Chapter 01 Life at the Riverbank Mole lived in a house under the ground. One spring morning, he was cleaning his little house. “ Oh, Im tired. It is never interesting I'll go outside! ” he cried. He went out and walked along the riverbank. Suddenly, he saw a dark hole in the bank across the river. Two brown eyes twinkled inside the hole. Then a head came out. It was the Water Rat.

“ Hello, Mole! ” Then Rat came across the river on a little boat. Soon, Mole was in the boat on the river, too! “ I'm so excited! This is my first time in a boat! ” exclaimed Mole. “ Really? Oh, poor Mole! Let's spend the day on the river. I have some food, ” said Rat. Rat rowed and Mole looked all around him. “ So you live by the river. What a wonderful life! ” said Mole dreamily. “ Yes, the river is my friend. It gives me food, and of course I wash in it. It's my whole world and I don't want any other, " said Rat.

Rat and Mole had a delicious lunch on the riverbank. They could see the river passing lazily by. “ Oh, look! There's Toad! ” shouted Rat. Mole saw Toad rowing past them in a boat. “ He is always trying new things. Sometimes he talks too much about himself. But he is my good friend, ” said Rat. Later, Rat said, “ Would you like to stay with me for a while? I will teach you all about the river. ” “ Oh, thank you, Rat. I am so happy, said Mole. From that day Mole started to learn everything about the river. He learned to swim, row a boat and enjoy lazy days in the sun.

Rat and Mole sat in the sun on the riverbank one morning. “ Rat, I would like to meet Toad. Can we visit him?" asked Mole. “ What a good idea! Toad always welcomes visitors! ” exclaimed Rat. So Rat and Mole rowed over to Toad Hall. It was a grand house with a beautiful garden. They found him in the garden. “ Oh, Rat! I wanted to see you! Toad jumped up. “ Toad, this is my friendMole” said Rat. “ Hello. I have something exciting to show you! ” cried Toad. He took Rat and Mole to the yard.

There was a gypsy caravan in the yard. “ I will travel the whole world, " said Toad. Mole was very interested. He looked at the kitchen, the beds, the books, the games and the food in the caravan. “ Everything is here for us. Let's go! ” said Toad. The three friends left Toad Hall that afternoon. “ What a beautiful day! This is better than the river! ” exclaimed Toad. Mole was so excited, but Rat was already missing the river.