The Wind in the Willows – Part 11
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Chapter 6 – Toad’s adventures
For weeks Toad refused to eat. He lay on the floor of his prison and cried and cried. ‘This is the end of everything,’ he said miserably. ‘I shall never again be a popular and good-looking Toad, a rich and important Toad, a free and happy Toad. All my friends will forget even the name of Toad!‘
But the keeper of the prison had a daughter, and she had a very kind heart. She often came to visit Toad, bringing him nice things to eat, and hot drinks. She asked him questions about his home and his old life, and because Toad loved to talk about himself, it wasn’t long before he began to sit up and answer her questions. He also realized how hungry he was, and so he ate and drank the things that she brought. And after a few days of this kindness, Toad was as loud and boastful as he had always been.
One morning the girl seemed very serious. ‘ Listen, Toad, ‘she said, ‘I have an aunt who is a washerwoman.‘
‘You mustn’t worry about it,’ said the Toad kindly. ‘I have several aunts who ought to be washerwomen.’
‘Don’t talk so much, Toad,’ said the girl. ‘Now listen, I think I have a plan.’ And here she whispered in the Toad’s ear.
‘What?’ cried Toad. ‘Me – dress as an old washerwoman? Impossible!’
‘All right then,’ said the girl crossly. ‘You can stay in prison for the next twenty years, you ungrateful animal!’
‘No, no,’ said Toad quickly. ‘You are a good, kind, clever girl, and I am just a stupid toad. I shall be very happy indeed to meet your excellent aunt.’
The next evening a little business was done in the Toad’s prison. Several gold coins left the Toad’s pocket and disappeared into the washerwoman’s purse. Soon afterwards Toad began to climb up the stairs towards the castle entrance. He was wearing an old cotton dress and a black bonnet, and carrying a large basket of washing. And his heart was beating very fast indeed.
He passed the guards, who called out a friendly ‘goodnight’ to him, and soon Toad was walking through the streets of the town. He was free! Wild with excitement, he found his way to the railway station – and then came the first problem. He had no money to buy a ticket. His wallet, his keys, his watch – everything was in the pockets of his coat, lying on the prison floor.
He had to get away from this town as quickly as he could. But how could he do it? He walked along beside one of the trains until he came to the engine. Then he stood there, crying and looking up at the engine-driver.
‘Hey!’ called the driver. ‘What’s the matter, old lady?’
‘Oh, sir!’ said Toad. ‘I’m a poor unhappy washerwoman, and I’ve lost all my money, and I must get home tonight.’
‘Come on, then,’ said the engine-driver kindly. ‘Jump up, and you can have a free ride. But don’t tell anyone!’
So far everything was going well for Toad. The train hurried through the night, taking him away from the terrible prison. But Toad’s luck didn’t last for long.
There came a moment when the engine-driver put his head out of the window and looked back.
‘That’s strange, ‘ he said. ‘There’s a train behind us, coming up very fast. I can see it in the moonlight. I think they’re chasing us! I wonder what…’ And then the engine-driver gave Toad a long hard look.
So Toad had to tell the true story of his crime and his escape. The engine-driver looked very serious. He thought for a bit, then said, ‘I don’t like policemen telling me what to do. And I don’t like to see an animal crying. So cheer up, Toad! This is what we’ll do. In a mile or two the train goes through a wood. I’ll slow down there, and you’ll be able to jump off the train and get away in the dark.’
In half an hour later both trains had disappeared into the night, and Toad was hiding under some dead leaves in the middle of a strange wood. There, he fell asleep and didn’t open his eyes again until early morning. He woke up cold and hungry – but still free!