The wind in the willows

Pounce into the delightful world of “The wind in the willows”, where friendship and adventure go hand in hand! Follow Mole, Ratty, Toad, and Badger as they explore the great outdoors, go on wild adventures, and learn the value of friendship and loyalty.

Written by Kenneth Grahame and first published in 1908, “The wind in the willows” has enchanted readers for over a century. In this article, we offer two versions of the story: the full adventure and a simplified graded reader for younger learners. With questions at the end to boost comprehension, your child will learn important lessons while enjoying the company of these beloved characters.

Want to explore more? The Studycat Learn English app offers stories, games, and interactive lessons for your child.

Let’s jump on the riverbank and join the adventures of The Wind in the Willows gang!

The story of “The wind in the willows”

Once upon a time, in the peaceful countryside near a river, a shy Mole decided to leave his underground home and explore the world above. Feeling the fresh air and warm sunshine for the first time, Mole wandered through fields and meadows, amazed at the beauty of the world.

Soon, Mole met Rat, a friendly and adventurous water-loving creature who lived in a cozy house by the river. Rat invited Mole to join him on a boat trip, and the two quickly became best friends, spending their days boating on the river, having picnics, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

One day, Rat introduced Mole to Toad, a rich but reckless and boastful friend who lived in Toad Hall, a grand mansion. Toad was known for his wild adventures and his latest obsession—motorcars. He loved speeding through the countryside in his car, often getting into trouble along the way. Despite Toad’s recklessness, Mole and Rat remained loyal friends, though they worried about his dangerous habits.

Toad’s wild adventures

As Toad’s obsession with cars grew, his reckless driving got him into serious trouble. He crashed multiple cars, ignored warnings from his friends, and eventually got arrested for driving dangerously. Toad was sentenced to prison, but being a clever and determined creature, he managed to escape by disguising himself as a washerwoman.

On the run, Toad had many wild and humorous adventures, trying to get back to Toad Hall. Meanwhile, Mole and Rat, along with their wise and kind friend Badger, worked together to protect Toad’s home, which had been taken over by a group of weasels and other wild animals.

The rescue of Toad Hall

When Toad finally returned to the riverbank, he realized how much he had missed his friends and his home. Together, Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad made a plan to reclaim Toad Hall from the weasels. With bravery and cleverness, they snuck into the mansion at night and successfully drove out the intruders, restoring peace to Toad’s home.

In the end, Toad learned an important lesson about the value of friendship, humility, and responsibility. Although he loved adventure, he realized that nothing was more important than the safety and happiness of his friends.

The moral of “The wind in the willows”

True friendship, loyalty, and the comforts of home are worth more than any adventure.
Throughout the story, Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad show that despite their differences, friendship and loyalty are the most important things in life. Whether it’s helping Toad out of trouble or enjoying the peaceful life by the river, the characters remind us that home and friendship bring the greatest joy.

Questions about “The wind in the willows”

1. Who was the first friend that Mole made after leaving his underground home?
2. What was Toad obsessed with that got him into trouble?
3. Why was Toad sent to prison?
4. Who helped Mole and Rat reclaim Toad Hall from the weasels?
5. What lesson does Toad learn by the end of the story?

Answers

1. Mole’s first friend was Rat, who lived by the river and loved boating.
2. Toad was obsessed with motorcars, which led to his reckless behavior.
3. Toad was sent to prison for driving recklessly and causing accidents.
4. Badger, along with Mole and Rat, helped reclaim Toad Hall from the weasels.
5. Toad learns that friendship and responsibility are more important than wild adventures.

Words to learn

• Mole: A small, burrowing animal. Mole is the shy but curious character who leaves his underground home to explore the world above.
• Rat: A water-loving animal. Rat is adventurous, loves boating, and enjoys life by the river.
• Motorcar: An early term for a car. Toad becomes obsessed with driving motorcars, leading to trouble.
• Toad Hall: Toad’s grand mansion. Toad lives in Toad Hall, which is later taken over by weasels.
• Weasels: Small, sly animals. In the story, a group of weasels takes over Toad Hall, and Toad’s friends help him get it back.

What type of story is “The wind in the willows”?

The Wind in the Willows is a children’s novel that explores the adventures and friendships of animals living in the countryside. It’s full of magical, heartwarming moments as well as exciting adventures.

Who wrote “The wind in the willows”?

The Wind in the Willows was written by Kenneth Grahame, a Scottish author known for his stories about nature and animal characters. Learn more about him here.

When was “The wind in the willows” written?

The Wind in the Willows was first published in 1908.

Who are the main characters in “The wind in the willows”?

The main characters are Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad.

What lesson can we learn from “The wind in the willows”?

We learn that friendship and the comforts of home are more valuable than wild adventures. The characters show that loyalty, kindness, and sticking together make life richer and more fulfilling.

”The wind in the willows” story for young English learners (ages 2-5, Pre-A1 graded reader)

Once upon a time, in a beautiful riverbank, there lived a kind Mole. One day, Mole decided to explore the world outside his home. He met a friendly Water Rat.

“Hello, Mole! Come with me! Let’s go on an adventure!” said Ratty. Mole was excited. He followed Ratty to the river.

They had fun rowing a boat on the river and eating delicious food by the water. Mole loved spending time with Ratty.

One day, they went to visit their friend Toad. Toad was very rich and loved to have fun. But Toad also liked to buy many things, like fast cars and boats.

Toad often got into trouble because he loved adventure too much. One day, he crashed his new car! Mole and Ratty were worried about him.

“We need to help Toad,” said Ratty. They went to find Toad. When they found him, Toad was sad but learned that friendship is more important than things.

Mole, Ratty, and Toad went on many adventures together. They explored the countryside, had picnics, and helped each other.

In the end, they learned that being with friends is the best adventure of all.

Fun fact!

Did you know? “The wind in the willows” was inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s own love of nature and his desire to create a magical world for his son. He wrote the stories as bedtime tales for his son, which later became the book we know and love today!