🏡 The Wind in the Willows – Chapter 5: Home Again
Toad was wet, tired, and hungry.
But he was free—and determined to return to Toad Hall.
As he walked through fields and woods, he thought of hot tea and a warm fire. “I can’t wait to be home,” he said to himself.
But when he got near Toad Hall, something was wrong. He saw smoke from the chimney, lights in the windows—and unfamiliar voices.
Toad crept closer and gasped.
🐾 Wild Weasels and Stoats had taken over his house!
They wore dark clothes and carried sticks. They laughed loudly and threw things.
“They’ve taken my home!” Toad whispered in shock.
He ran to the river and found Rat.
“Rat! It’s terrible! The wild animals have stolen Toad Hall!”
Rat helped him inside and gave him a towel and tea.
“Calm down, Toad,” Rat said. “We’ll fix this. But we need a plan.”
They went to find Badger.
Badger listened carefully. “The wild creatures took your house while you were in prison. They’ve locked all the doors and won’t let anyone in.”
“I must fight them!” shouted Toad. “With swords! And fire!”
“No,” Badger said firmly. “With brains.”
He explained a secret: There was a hidden underground tunnel from the riverbank to Toad Hall.
The four friends—Toad, Rat, Mole, and Badger—would sneak into the house at night and surprise the invaders.
Toad grinned. “This is just like an adventure story!”
That night, they lit their lanterns and entered the secret tunnel. It was dark and cold. The walls were damp. But they kept going.
🐾 At the end of the tunnel, they opened a trapdoor—inside Toad Hall!
They jumped into the dining room.
“Attack!” Badger cried.
The weasels were shocked. They dropped their food and ran.
Rat chased two out the back door. Mole banged pots to scare them. Toad tripped over a rug—but still caught one!
Within minutes, the house was theirs again.
Toad stood proudly. “Toad Hall is safe!”
The friends laughed and hugged.
It was time to clean, rebuild—and celebrate.
📖 Glossary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chimney | A tall pipe that lets smoke out of a house |
| Weasels / Stoats | Small wild animals (often sneaky in stories) |
| Towel | Cloth used to dry yourself |
| Brains (informal) | Intelligence or clever thinking |
| Trapdoor | A hidden door in the floor |
❓ Comprehension Questions
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How does Toad feel at the beginning of the chapter?
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What does he find at Toad Hall?
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Who does he go to for help?
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What secret does Badger share?
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What is the plan to take back the house?
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How do they surprise the wild animals?
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What happens at the end?
✅ Answers
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Wet, tired, hungry—but determined.
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Wild animals (weasels and stoats) have taken over his home.
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Rat and Badger.
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There is a secret tunnel into Toad Hall.
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They will sneak in through the tunnel at night.
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They come up through a trapdoor and surprise them.
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They take back the house and celebrate.
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