🦡 The Wind in the Willows – Chapter 1: The Riverbank

Spring had arrived.

The sun was shining, the grass was green, and the birds were singing. Down in a small home under the ground, Mole was doing his spring cleaning. He was busy dusting, sweeping, and polishing when suddenly, he dropped his broom.

“Enough of this!” he said.

The sun was calling him outside. So he left his house and climbed up to the surface of the earth.

What a beautiful day it was! Mole blinked in the sunlight and smiled. He had never felt so happy.

Soon, he saw something sparkling in the distance.

It was a river.

Mole had never seen a river before. He watched the water move and listened to it whisper. He loved it at once.

Then he saw a little boat floating near the shore. In it sat a friendly Water Rat.

“Hello there!” said Rat. “Would you like to come in?”

“Yes, please,” Mole said.

Rat pulled him into the boat and handed him a small paddle.

“This is the river,” Rat explained proudly. “It’s my home and my world.”

They floated past trees, ducks, and lily pads. Mole felt peaceful.

After a while, Rat opened a basket.

“Lunch!” he said. It was filled with cold chicken, cheese, fresh bread, and ginger beer.

“This is the best day of my life,” Mole whispered.

The two animals talked and laughed. Rat told Mole about his river friends: Otter, Badger, and Toad.

“Toad?” asked Mole.

“Oh yes,” said Rat. “He’s kind, but always chasing new hobbies. Last week it was rowing. Now it’s something else.”

As the sun began to set, Rat rowed them back.

“Come visit anytime,” said Rat. “There’s always a place for you by the river.”

Mole smiled. He had found a friend—and a new world.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Surface	The top layer of something (like the earth)
Sparkling	Shining with light, like water in the sun
Paddle	A tool used to row a boat
Whisper	A soft sound, like a quiet voice
Ginger beer	A sweet, fizzy drink made from ginger
Rowing	Moving a boat with paddles or oars

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. What season is it at the beginning of the story?

2. Why does Mole stop cleaning?

3. What is the river like for Mole?

4. Who does Mole meet at the river?

5. What do Mole and Rat do together?

6. Who are Rat’s other friends?

7. What does Mole feel by the end of the chapter?

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✅ Answers

1. Spring.

2. He wants to go outside and enjoy the sun.

3. It is new, beautiful, and peaceful.

4. The Water Rat.

5. They ride in a boat, talk, eat lunch, and enjoy the river.

6. Otter, Badger, and Toad.

7. He feels happy and welcomed. He has a new friend and a new world.