STAGE

This ungraded summary is for the teacher’s use only

and should not be given to students.

The story
The Wind in the Willows
s is a children’s story about
life on the river bank and the animals who live there.
It’s spring time and Mole decides to go for a walk. He
eventually comes to the river where he meets Ratty
the Water Rat. They go for a trip in Ratty’s boat and
have a picnic on the river bank and Mole and Ratty
Background
nd to the story
soon become good friends.
The Wind in the Willows
s was not an immediate
One day that summer, Ratty takes Mole to meet
success with the public when it was first published.
Toad. Toad is a very colourful character and is always
However, its popularity grew after it was dramatized
trying something new. Last spring it was boating,
as Toad of Toad Halll in 1929 by A A Milne, author of
this summer it is caravaning. The three friends go off
the Winnie-the-Pooh stories. It might have been this
together in Toad’s caravan but when they are passed
connection that resulted in the two authors using the
by a very fast motor car, Toad is transfixed. He now,
same artist, E H Shepard, to illustrate their books. In
wants to buy a car.
the same way that Milne wrote his Winnie-the-Pooh
Mole has wanted to meet Badger for a long time
stories for his only son Christopher Robin, The Wind in
and one day, sets off through the Wild Wood to visit
the Willows
s grew out of a series of letters and stories
him. But the Wild Wood is a frightening place and
written by Grahame for his only son Alistair. Today,
soon Mole gets lost and is very scared. Luckily, Ratty
both these works have become part of the Canon of
comes to look for him and they find Badger’s house.
British Literature.
They receive a very warm welcome and have dinner
and stay the night. Before reading
The next summer Badger decides it is time to
Here are some ways to help your students approach
tell Toad to be more sensible as he is driving like a
the story:
madman and always getting into trouble with the
1 Give students the title of the book and show them
police. So one day he takes Ratty and Mole to Toad
the picture on the cover. Ask them to try and guess
Hall to talk to Toad but Toad won’t listen and runs
what kind of story it is.
away. He is soon caught by the police for stealing
2 Ask the students to read the text on the back cover
a car and put in prison. But he makes friends with
of the book, and the story introduction on the first
the prisonkeeper’s daughter who helps him escape
page. Then ask them a few questions about the
disguised as a washerwoman. When he finally gets
story, or use the Before Reading Activities in the
back to the river bank Ratty tells him the bad news that
back of each Bookworm.
Toad Hall has been taken over by the Stoats, Weasels
3 Use the pre-reading activity in this worksheet.
and Ferrets from the Wild Wood. However, Badger has
4 If there is a recording of this title, play the first few
a plan. He knows that there are secret tunnels from
pages and stop at an interesting point.
his house to Toad Hall which they can use to surprise
the Wild Wooders in order to take back the Hall. Their
plan is a success and after that, Toad promises to live
quietly and be sensible.

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 STAGE
The Wind in the Willows
3 Pre-reading activity

Match the pictures with the chapter headings

1 4 6

2 5 7

3 CHAPTER HEADINGS
a The river
b The open road
c The Wild Wood
d A meeting with Mr Badger
e A lesson for Mr Toad
f Toad’s adventures
g Return to Toad Hall

To the teacher

Aim: To familiarize students with the story and its the answers with them. Then ask them to write
setting captions for each picture which you can compare and
Time: 15–20 minutes discuss afterwards. Finish by asking them to put the
Organization: Give one copy of the worksheet to pictures in the order they might appear in the story
each student, or to each group of students. Ask and to predict in general terms what the story might
them to match the pictures with the correct chapter be.
headings. When the students have done this, check Key: 1e, 2g, 3a, 4f, 5d, 6b, 7c.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 160

 STAGE
The Wind in the Willows
3 While reading activity

Who says what?

Read the character descriptions and write the name of the character in the box. Then read
the quotes and match them to the descriptions. Write two more pieces of information that
you can find about them in the lines provided.

a ......................................................... d ......................................................... QUOTES

Went on a picnic with Lives in the Wild Wood. 1 ‘There is nothing – really
Ratty. Always knows what’s nothing – nicer than just
Isn’t very brave. going on. messing about in boats ...’
Got lost in the Wild Doesn’t like crowds. 2 ‘Afraid?’ ‘I don’t think
Wood. ......................................................... any of them would argue
......................................................... ......................................................... with me.’
......................................................... 3 ‘This is not the kind of
e .........................................................
night for small animals to
b ......................................................... Is very brave. be out.’
Lives on the river bank. Knows all the paths in the 4 ‘I’ve finished with silly old
Is very good at rowing. Wild Wood. caravans for ever.’
Owns a gun. Is a good friend of Ratty’s. 5 ‘I’m so pleased to see
......................................................... .........................................................
you!’ I’ve been so
......................................................... .........................................................
frightened, I can’t tell
you!’

c .........................................................
CHARACTERS
Is always trying something Badger
new. Toad
Is very lazy. Otter
Has been in hospital Mole
twice. Rat
.........................................................

.........................................................

To the teacher

Where: At the end of Chapter 5 write them in the spaces below. When they have
Aim: To revise the main characters finished, check and compare the answers with the
Time: 15–20 minutes rest of the class. Then get them to discuss the other
Organization: Give one copy of the worksheet to animals mentioned in the story so far, and what kind
each student, or to each group of students. Ask of characteristics and personalities the author thinks
them to identify the characters from their short they might have e.g. hedgehogs, weasels, stoats
descriptions and to write the correct name in the etc. This could be developed into a prediction activity
boxes. Then ask them to read the quotes and match where students guess future events in the story
them to the character descriptions. This can of based upon the character descriptions they have
course, be done at the same time if preferred. Then discussed.
ask the students to look in their books and find two Key: 1b Rat, 2e Otter, 3d Badger, 4e Toad, 5a Mole.
more pieces of information about the characters and

161 © OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS PHOTOCOPIABLE

 STAGE
The Wind in the Willows
3 After reading activity

Possible futures

It is ten years later. Read this section of a letter from Otter to Ratty and write a reply.

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To the teacher

Where: At the end of the book boundaries for new story lines. Encourage them to
Aim: To revise characters and plot through provide as much information as possible about the
imaginative re-writing lives of the characters, the Wild Wood and recent
Time: 20–25 minutes and past events and to really use their imaginations.
Organization: Give out one copy of the worksheet to In doing this, the students have to reassess and
each student, or to each group of students. Discuss refamiliarize themselves with characters and events
the letter with the class and brainstorm some ideas in the story in order to develop them in their re-
and reactions before asking them to write a reply. writing of the future. When the task is completed,
In this way, it will encourage them to use their students can then discuss and compare their letters.
imagination and to see how far they can stretch the

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