What's the podcast? It's all going to be all right
in the end. You've got some worries, my dear
little rest your busy minds because it's finally time the
Stories from Now and Then. Hello everyone, and welcome to
Stories from Now and Then. We are back in the old library
and my name is Blunderface. Captain Blunderface.
Debra Caddis and I were going to play secret agents because
there's almost no one here right now.
And basically we sneak around the bookshelves and surprise
each other. Oh, what does that have to do
with Wind in the Willows Part 2? Well, Debra Caddis, I'm feeling
inspired by Rat and Mole. They have a good team thing
going. No, you're right, They're not
secret agents at all. But the author Kenneth Graham,
was Scottish, which feels like it's connected to Scotland Yard,
which sort of connects to secret agents.
You're right, it needs work. There's something fishy about
the connective tissue of this preamble.
But before we see what Rat and Mole are up to in today's story,
we have a shout out for Emmett who is turning 8 and he's from
Chattanooga, TN Emmett loves dogs and his favorite story so
far is Robin Hood. So Emmett, this story is for
you. Oh, and it looks like we just
got a message from our sponsor. Today's episode is brought to
you by the new official Stories from Now and Then Companion
Coloring Book Volume 1. You can color along with the
stories as you listen. And to find out more, just go to
storiesfromnowandthen.com. And with that, we will pass it
off to the amazing Nicola for Part 2.
This awesome story. Take it away.
All right, here we go. Back to the river, back to Rat
and Mole, back to the adventure. This is The Wind in the Willows,
Part 2. A few days after Mole had
settled happily into river life, when rowing no longer felt
alarming and the names of Bens and little Inlets had begun to
seem familiar, the Rat announced one bright morning that it was
time Mole met their most energetic friend.
Energetic in what way? Asked Mole, who had already
learned that the Rat often chose his words carefully when
Speaking of others. In every way it wants, said rat.
They followed the towpath until the river widened, then turned
inland through meadows where daisies nodded in the light
breeze. Before long they came upon a
handsome house standing back from the road, broad windowed
and comfortable, with lawns running wide before it that said
Rat is towed Hall. They had scarcely reached the
gate when the owner himself burst from the front door.
Toad came hurrying toward them in a coat of remarkable cut,
waving both hands as though welcoming honoured guests to a
grand ceremony. My dear fellows, my dear
excellent friends, you have arrived at exactly the right
moment. This was spoken with such
urgency that Mole immediately felt something important must be
underway. Toad LED them to the yard behind
the house, where a brightly painted caravan stood hitched to
a sturdy horse. I am setting out, declared Toad
magnificently, upon a journey of freedom, adventure and wide
horizons. Rd. life, my dear friends, the
only true life. Rat exchanged a glance with Mole
that suggested he had expected nothing less.
Within half an hour they were persuaded, for Toad persuaded as
naturally as other creatures breathed, and soon all three
were travelling slowly along the open Rd.
The caravan pleased Mole greatly.
Toad sat proudly at the front, holding the reins as though he
had invented roads. Observe, he said, the dignity,
the independence, the splendid romance of it all.
For a while even Rat admitted it was pleasant.
The horse plodded steadily, Skylarks rose from the fields,
villages appeared and passed, each with cottages leaning
comfortably beside the road. They halted by evening near a
hedge, where supper was prepared and the caravan lamps glowed
softly. Mole thought it one of the most
agreeable evenings of his life. But with Toad, peace rarely
remained long unshaken. The next morning, while they
were breakfasting by the roadside, there came from behind
them a strange throbbing sound. Unlike hoof beats or wheels, it
grew louder very quickly. Then, in a rush of dust and
startling noise, a motor car tore past them.
It flashed by in shining metal and noise and speed, scattering
hens, alarming the horse and sending the caravan lurching
sideways into the ditch. Toad stood frozen.
He stared after the disappearing machine as if part of himself
had gone with it. What was that?
Cried Mole, breathless. Rat, brushing dust from his
coat, looked less impressed. A motor car, he said shortly.
But Toad had not moved. A motor car, he repeated in a
voice full of wonder. He said it again, more softly,
as if discovering a sacred phrase.
A motor car. By noon the caravan no longer
interested him. By afternoon he had entirely
ceased Speaking of Rd. life, except to explain that caravans
were slow, old fashioned, and clearly inferior.
By evening he had declared that motor cars were the highest
achievement of civilization, and by the following morning he had
abandoned the caravan altogether and was speaking only of
engines, speed, horns, and the thrilling rush of the road.
Rat sighed. It has happened again, he said
quietly to Mole. What has Toad has found his
newest passion? Back at Toad Hall, the
consequences became obvious at once.
Within days Toad owned a motor car, then another, and then
another, because the first ones had met with difficulties.
These difficulties generally involved ditches, gates,
frightened chickens, bent wheels, or sudden collisions
with objects that had remained perfectly still while Toad
approached them too quickly. Yet each mishap only deepened
his enthusiasm. He would return, dusty,
triumphant and slightly crooked in hat, declaring magnificent,
extraordinary machine, nearly mastered it entirely.
Then he would purchase another. Moles soon understood why.
Rat had spoken cautiously, for Toad possessed many admirable
qualities, generosity, warmth, excitement, splendid
hospitality. But he also possessed a
dangerous inability to remain moderate about anything.
One afternoon Rat found him in the yard polishing yet another
machine. This must stop, said Rat firmly.
My dear Rat. Impossible, replied Toad,
Progress cannot stop. It can, if you stop buying motor
cars. But Toad only smiled dreamily.
Speed, he said, patting the bonnet, is life itself.
And because speed was very nearly the opposite of river
life, Rat became deeply troubled.
That evening he said to Mole, We shall need Badger.
At the mention of Badger, Mole felt both curiosity and slight
unease, for though he had heard much of him, he had not yet met
him. He understands Toad better than
anyone, said Rat, and Toad occasionally listens to him.
Occasionally. Rat looked thoughtful.
Very occasionally, outside, the evening wind moved softly
through the willows, while far off from the direction of Toad
Hall there came the sudden sharp sound of a motor horn, followed
by a crash and an indignant shout.
Rat closed his eyes briefly. Yes, he said, We must certainly
see Badger. I do hope that Badger can help.
Poor Rat and Mole are so worried about their friend.
Toad seems like such a fun friend to have, but he gets so
excited about things that he sometimes forgets he needs to be
careful. Driving cars can be lots of fun,
but if you go too fast it can be dangerous.
Do you think Toad will listen? We'll have to find out next
time. Thank you, Nicola, for a most
excellent Part 2. You know, the win in the Willows
is a very special story, and it's not just at the old library
here. I bet it's available at a
library near you, Deborah Caddis.
And I absolutely recommend that you use your library card to
borrow it yourself for a few weeks.
You'll love it. Remember, if you'd like a shout
out, all you need to do is send us a short message on Instagram,
add Stories from Now and Then. You can also send us any
drawings or coloring pages you've done and we'll post them
on our feed. Stories from now and Then is
narrated by Nicola Ward. I'm Captain Blunderface.
Make sure you give us a follow so that you never miss an
episode. Bye for now, and we'll see you
all next week on Stories from Now and Then.