Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Highway

"The Rat," said the Mole suddenly one fine summer morning, "I'm sorry, but I want to ask you for a favor." The Rat was sitting by the river singing a little song.He had just composed this ditty, so he sang it mesmerizingly, and neither the mole nor anything else cared much to him.Early in the morning he swam on the river with his duck friends.When the ducks suddenly put their heads in the water and stand upside down--ducks do--he'll dive down and tickle their necks, just a little under the chin, if ducks have chins, until They had to rush back to the surface, squawking and throwing tantrums and shaking their feathers at him, because there was no way to say everything they felt with their heads under water.Finally they begged him to go away, told him to mind his own business, and let them mind theirs.So the Rat went away, and sat on the bank in the sun, and composed this little song about ducks.

duck ditty Where the water flows back, Through the tall rushes, The ducks are splashing in the water, All tails up! duck tail, duck tail, The yellow duck feet are scratching, The yellow duckbill is invisible, Busy in the muddy water underwater, in the bushes, The bream swimming-- Here we store food. Cool and hearty. Do whatever you want, We like it that way. head down, tail up, Have fun playing in the water! In the high blue sky, Swifts whirled and chirped— We're playing in the water below, All tails up! "I can't think I'd take Ditty so much, Rat," said the Mole cautiously.He is not a poet, and it doesn't matter who takes him seriously; but he is straightforward, and he will speak out when he has something to say.

"Nor does the duck," replied the Rat cheerfully. "They say, 'Why don't people do what they like when they like, instead of sitting on the shore watching them, judging them, and writing poems about them? How stupid!' Duck That's what they said." "That's a good thing to say, and it's not a bad thing to say." The Mole agreed enthusiastically. "No, that's out of the question!" cried the Rat angrily. "Well, well, if it's not right, it's not right," replied the Mole in a soothing tone. "But what I want to ask of you is, can't you take me to visit Mr. Toad? I've heard so much about him, and I really want to know him."

"What's the matter, of course," said the good-natured Rat, jumping up, forgetting about the little tune. "Pull the boat out, and we'll paddle up to him right now. It's never a bad time to see Toad. He's all the same early and late. Always good-natured, always glad to see you, you When I leave, I'm always reluctant to let you go!" "He must be a very fine animal," said the Mole, getting out of the boat, and taking up the oars, while the Rat sat down comfortably in the stern. "He's the best animal indeed," replied the Rat, "so simple, so good-natured, and so affectionate. He may not be very clever—but we can't all be geniuses. He may be a little Bragging and conceited. But he's a toad, too."

Rounding a bend in the river, they saw a handsome old house, built of soft red bricks, with manicured lawns sloping down to the river. "That's Toad Farm," said the Rat. "There's a creek there, and there's a notice board to the left of it that says 'Private Property, No Docking,' and that creek leads to his boathouse, where we disembark. There's the stables on the right. You're looking at the Ballroom—it's very old. Toad is rich, you know, and it's certainly one of the nicest houses in the neighborhood, though we never say so to Toad."

They floated down the creek, and when they were in the shadow of the great boat-house the Mole took up his oars, and there they saw many fine boats hanging from the beams or pulling up the slipways, but not a single one of them. Only on the water; the place has a deserted feel to it. The Rat looked around. "I see," he said, "boating is old fashioned. He's tired of it. He doesn't play anymore. I don't know what new thing he's into now? Come on, let's go see him. Right now We all heard it." They disembarked, and wandered through the blooming meadows in search of Toad, and presently saw him resting in a wicker chair, with a ecstatic expression on his face, and a large map pushed across his lap.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, jumping up when he saw them. "That's very nice!" He shook hands with them both warmly, without waiting for the Rat to introduce him to the Mole. "It's very good of you to come and see me!" he went on, hopping around them, "Rat, I'm just sending a boat up to fetch you on the river, and I'm telling them that whatever you're doing, they'll take you away right away. You got here. I need you so badly—you two. What do you want now? Go in and have something to eat! Come early or late, come to me just now, you I have no idea how lucky this is!"

"Let us sit still for a while, Toad!" said the Rat, and sank down into an easy-chair, and the Mole sat down in the one next to him, and complimented Toad politely. "Lovely place to live" a few words. "It's the nicest house up and down the river," cried Toad cheerfully. "Or it can be said to be the best house in the world." He couldn't help adding another sentence. Now the Rat nudged the Mole with his elbow.As luck would have it, the Toad saw him doing this, and his cheeks flushed.There was an awkward silence for a moment.Then Toad laughed again all at once.

"Yes, Rat," said he, "it's just my temper, you know. But the house isn't too bad, is it? You like it very much yourself, you know. Well, listen to me." .Let's get down to business. You're exactly what I want from me. You've got to do me a favor. This couldn't be more important!" "I suppose it's about your rowing," said the Rat in an innocent tone. "You're doing pretty well, though the splash is still a bit too much. With more patience and practice, you can..." "Well, rowing, bah!" Toad interrupted him, feeling very off-putting. "It was a silly child's game. I quit it long ago. Boating is just a waste of time. You should be more sensible, but I see you waste all your energy like that for no purpose. So sad. No, I've found one real thing, the only job worth doing in life. I'm going to devote the rest of my life to it, and I can only feel sorry for the years I wasted on petty things. Regret it. Come with me, dear Rat, and your dear friend, if he will do him the favor, go no farther than the stables, and you will see what you will see!"

As he spoke, he led the way to the stables, followed by the Rat with a very suspicious expression.There they saw a gypsy caravan pulled out from the garage into the open air, new and shining, painted bright yellow with green accents, and with red wheels. "Look!" cried the Toad, spreading his legs apart, and looking very angry. "This car is a man's real life. Sunshine Avenue, dusty highway, heathy heath, commons, rows of shrubs, rolling hills! Tents, countryside, towns, cities! Get here today , get there tomorrow! Travel, change of place, fun, excitement! The whole world unfolds before you, the horizon keeps changing! Let me tell you, this is the best car since it was made, without exception. Get in Look at its interior. I designed it all myself, me!"

The Mole was very interested and excited, and hurriedly followed him into the car and got into the caravan.But the Rat just grunted, thrust his hands deep into his pockets, and stood there motionless. The interior of the car is indeed very compact and comfortable.Some sleeping places--a little table raised against the wall--a stove, some cupboards, some bookshelves, a bird in a cage, and all kinds of crocks, frying pans, kettles, and teapots . "It's all there!" said Toad, triumphantly, opening a chest. "Look—biscuits, tinned lobsters, sardines—whatever you want. Soda water here—tobacco there—letters, bacon, jam, playing cards and dominoes—you'll find it all. " He kept talking as they got off the train again. "When we set out this afternoon, you will find that nothing has been forgotten." "Excuse me," said the Rat slowly, chewing a piece of hay, "did I hear you say 'we,' 'this afternoon,' and 'start'?" "Now, you dear good Rat," begged Toad, "don't talk in that hard and haughty tone again, for you know you must go anyway. I can't get along without you , so please consider it a deal, and don't argue about it--I can't stand it. You'll never want to die on your dull old stinking river, living in a hole on the bank, with a Will you spend your whole life in a boat? I'll show you the world! I'll make you an animal, my dear fellow!" "I don't care," said the Rat firmly. "I won't go, there's no bargaining. I'll just die the same old old river on my old river, still live in a hole, still have to deal with boats all my life. And the Mole will come with me too." Together, do it like I do, right, Mole?" "Certainly," said the Mole faithfully. "I'll be with you forever, Rat, and it's what you say it is—it must be. But you know, it might sound like... well. Funny!" he added sadly. Poor mole!The adventure was too new and exciting for him; its newness was too alluring; and the first sight of the yellow caravan and all its bric-a-brac was enough for him. The Rat saw what was going on in his mind, and he was shaken.He doesn't like to see people disappointed, he loves Moles and will do almost anything to satisfy him.Toad stared closely at the two of them. "Go in and have some lunch," he said diplomatically. "We might as well discuss it. We don't have to make a hasty decision. Of course, I really don't care. I just want to give you two happiness. 'Live for others!' ’ That’s my motto in life.” At lunch--which was a croaking meal, of course, as everything at Toad Manor croaks--Toad did all he could.He ignored the Rat, and played with the inexperienced Mole like a harp.A talkative animal by nature, he was always at the mercy of his imagination, and loved to paint in such vivid colors the sights of travel, the open air, and a little pleasure. The Mole listened, too excited to sit in his chair.In any case, the three of them seemed to quickly agree that the trip was of course a deal. The Rat, though he still had a pimple in his heart, let his good temper outweigh his personal objections.He couldn't disappoint his two friends, who were already busy planning for the future, planning a different program for each day for the next few weeks. When they were all ready, Toad, then triumphant, took his two friends to the stud, and told them to catch the old gray horse. Toad was extremely annoyed at being sent to do the dustiest job of his dusty journey without first consulting him.He frankly preferred to stay in the paddock, so it took a lot of work to catch him. At this time, Toad stuffed the cupboards more with the necessary supplies, and hung straw bags, net bags of onions, bales of hay, and baskets of things under the car. At last the horse was caught and harnessed to the wagon, and they all set off at the same time, talking and talking, walking beside the wagon or sitting on the bars, as they pleased. It is a golden afternoon.The dust they kicked up was fragrant and cheery; and in the thick orchards on either side of the road the birds wailed and twittered merrily to them.Friendly passers-by pass by to say hello to them, or stop to admire their beautiful caravan; and rabbits sitting on their doorstep in the hedge raise their front paws and say, "Oh, my! My, my!" In the evening, tired and happy, they traveled many miles from home to the wilderness far from human habitation, and let the horse go to graze, while they ate their simple supper by themselves on the grass by the side of the cart. Toad was boasting about all the things he said he was going to do in the future. At this time, in all directions around them, the stars were getting denser and bigger, and a yellow moon suddenly came out from the old place quietly to keep company with them and listen to them. conversation. At last they climbed into their little berth; and Toad, kicking the covers and stretching out his legs, said sleepily, "Well, good night, my friends! That's the real life for a gentleman! Tell me!" Your old river!" "I'm not talking about my river," replied the patient Rat. "You know I won't tell, Toad. But I'm thinking about it," he added affectionately, very softly, "I'm thinking about it . . . thinking about it all the time!" The Mole stretched out his paw from under his blanket, and in the dark felt the Rat's paw and squeezed it. "I'll do what you like, Rat," he whispered. "Shall we run away tomorrow morning, very early—early morning—back to our dear old hole on the river go?" "No, no, we'll see it through," the Rat whispered back to him. "Thank you very much. But I'll have to stick with Toad until this trip is over. It's not safe to leave him alone. It won't take long. He's only 5 minutes hot. Goodnight!" Indeed, the trip ended even sooner than the Rat thought. After so much wild air, and such an exciting day, Toad slept so soundly that no amount of shaking could wake him to get him out of bed next morning.So the Mole and the Rat went about their business quietly and resolutely, and while the Rat tended the horse, built the fire, washed up last night's cups and dishes, and set about making breakfast, the Mole walked a long way to the nearest to get milk, eggs, and all sorts of things that toads naturally forgot. When all the drudgery had been done, and the two animals were resting wearily, Toad showed his face, refreshed and happy, and said what they had been doing now, after the worrying and tiring work of the house had been thrown away. How relaxed and happy life is. That day they wandered merrily over the rolling meadows and trails, and camped on a wasteland as before, but this time the two guests took care to let Toad do his share. As a result, when it was time to start the next morning, Toad was not so happy with this simple primitive life. He really wanted to continue to sleep in his bunk, but he was dragged up by force. They took the usual trails through the fields, and in the afternoon they came to the road, the first road they came upon; and it was at this point that the unexpected catastrophe--for their travels it was a disaster--was struck. Big enough, and for Toad, it almost ruined the rest of his life. They were walking at a leisurely pace down the road, the Mole walking beside the horse's head, talking to him, and the Jackal already complaining that no one cared about him at all, and the Toad and the Rat walking behind the cart. , talking all the way--at least the Toad was talking, and the Rat said only now and then: "Yes, obviously; what can you say to him?"--but all the time he had other things on his mind.Just then they heard a faint humming far behind them, like the buzzing of a bee in the distance. They turned around, and saw a small puff of dust behind them, with a spinning black spot in the middle, heading straight towards them at an unbelievable speed, and there was a faint "boom" sound in that puff of dust, like It was a wounded animal wailing.They paid little attention to it, and turned their faces to continue their conversation, when suddenly (so it seemed to them) the peaceful scene changed, and a gust of wind and noise caused them to jump to the nearest Go in the trenches, they're coming for them!The piercing "boo-boo" sounded in their ears, and in a blink of an eye they saw the interior of the car and the expensive Moroccan leather behind the flashing glass. It was a luxurious car, big and frightening, And ferocious, its driver gripped the steering wheel nervously, asked its eyes in a blink, completely surrounded them, then shrank into a black spot in the distance, and turned into a buzzing bee again. The old gray horse, who had been plodding along, thinking of his quiet pasture, almost regained its natural savagery in such a new and never-before-seen situation.It backed up, it rushed forward, and it kept going backwards, and in spite of all the efforts and good things the Mole said around its head to make it feel better, it still drove the car away. Pull back towards the deep ditch on the side of the road. The car wobbled...then there was a loud, heartbreaking crash...the yellow car, their pride and their joy, fell sideways in the ditch, irreparably ruined. The Rat was hopping up and down the road, mad with rage. "You scoundrels!" he yelled, shaking his fists. "You rascals, you highway robbers! You...you...traffic-wrecking drivers! . . . I'm going to sue you! I'm going to sue you! .I'm going to drag you to courts one by one!" His grace family disease has slipped away from him entirely.For the moment he was the captain of the yellow boat which had been carelessly run aground by the other's boat; and he was trying to think of the most stinging insult when the little steamer sailed too close to shore. That's what he used to say about the owner of Steamboat when a big flush flooded his living room rug. Toad sat upright in the middle of the dusty road, stretched his legs forward, and stared at the direction in which the car disappeared.He was also short of breath, but his face showed a calm and satisfied expression, and he muttered softly from time to time: "Bu, Bu!" The Mole was busy trying to calm the horse, and after a while he managed to do so.Then he looked at the wagon lying on its side in the ditch. It was so poignant to watch.The body panels and windows were smashed, the axles were bent beyond repair, a wheel fell off, sandy fish cans were scattered all over the floor, and the bird in the cage was whimpering piteously, calling to let it out. The Rat came to help the Mole, but their combined strength could not lift the wagon. "Hey! Toad!" they cried. "Come and help me!" Toad didn't answer, or move from the path in which he sat; so the two of them went by to see what had happened to him.They found him distracted, smiling, his eyes still fixed on the dust left by the car that wrecked their car, and they still heard him mutter twice now and then: "Bo, bo!" The Rat shook his shoulder. "Are you coming to help us, Toad?" he asked sharply. "What a thrilling spectacle!" murmured Toad, making no attempt to move. "It's moving poetry! It's the true way of traveling! It's the only way of traveling! Here today, tomorrow's a week's journey away! Country skimming, town skipping—always a different place! Oh, What a blessing! Oh, Bubo! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" "Oh, don't you be a fool, Toad!" cried the Mole desperately. "Just imagine, I don't know a thing!" went on the Toad in a dreamlike monologue. "I've lived so many years in vain that I didn't know a thing, didn't even dream of it! But now... but now I know, now I fully understand! Oh, from now on, before me is a What a colorful road! What billows of dust will rise behind me when I drive like a fly! When my great start comes, what carts I will throw into the ditch Go! The nasty carriage...the insignificant carriage...the yellow carriage!" "What shall we do with him?" asked the Mole to the Rat. "Not at all," replied the Rat firmly, "because there is nothing to be done. You see, I knew he was going to be like this. He's fascinated now. He's fascinated by new things, always It's always been like that in the beginning. Now he's going to go on like that for days, like an animal happily sleepwalking, absent-minded. Leave him alone. Let's see what we can do to get that wagon out. " After careful inspection, they finally knew that even if they could lift the car up with the strength of two people, the car would never go away again.The axle couldn't be repaired at all, and the wheel that fell off was torn apart. The Rat tied the horse's bridle to the horse's back, and with one hand seized the horse's head and led it, while with the other he carried the cage in which the bird was in a fit of hysteria. "Come on!" he said firmly to the Mole. "It was about five or six miles to the nearest town, so we had to walk. The sooner we start the better." "But what about Toad?" asked the Mole anxiously as the two of them set off together. "We can't leave him here and leave him sitting alone in the middle of the road. That's crazy! It's not safe. What if another car comes?" "Oh, filthy toad," said the Rat, fiercely, "I've done him all!" They hadn't gone far along the way, when at last they heard the sound of pattering footsteps behind them, the toad caught up and stretched out its paws, holding their hands one by one, still short of breath and in a trance. "Hey, listen to Toad!" said the Rat sharply. "As soon as we got into town, you had to go straight to the police, ask them if they knew who the car was, and file a complaint against it. Then you went to the smithy or the wheel shop and got someone to pull the wagon in and fix it. .It takes time to fix the car, but the crash is not completely unrepairable. In the meantime, the Mole and I will go to the inn and take two comfortable rooms. until it recovers." "Police! Sue!" murmured Toad dreamily. "Tell me to tell of the beautiful and wonderful thing that God has given me! Fix the caravan! I'll never want a caravan again. I'll never see it again, never hear it said again. Oh, Rat! Will you agree?" You can't imagine how thankful I am for this trip! I wouldn't come if you didn't come, then I'd never see that... that swan, that sunshine, that thunderbolt! I'd never hear That charming sound, I can also smell that charming smell! All thanks to you, my best friend!" The Rat turned away from him in disappointment. "Did you see that?" he said to the Mole through the head of the Toad. "He's pretty much beyond repair. I'll just forget about it... Once in town we'll go straight to the train station, and if we're lucky we'll catch the train, and we'll be back on the river bank tonight. You'll never see me with this man again. The irritating guy is out to play!" He snorted, and for the rest of the trek he spoke only to the Mole. Once in town they went straight to the station, left the toad in the second-class waiting-room, and gave a porter twopence to look after the toad.Then they deposited the horses in the stables of the inn, and made every possible arrangement with the wagon and wagon. The last slow train brought them to a station not far from Toad Manor, where they delivered the ecstatic sleeping Toad to his door, pushed him in, and told his housekeeper to feed him and undress him. Undress and put him to bed. Then they pulled their skiff out of the boathouse, and rowed it down the river, and when they got home they dined late in their own cozy drawing-room by the river, and the Rat felt very happy and content. In the evening of the next day, Mole, who got up late and spent the whole day leisurely, was sitting by the river fishing. At this time, Mole came back from a chat with a friend's house, and was looking for him along the way. "Have you heard the news?" he said. "Only one thing is being talked about all along the bank. Toad took the early train into town this morning. He's ordered a big and insanely expensive car."