The Wind in the Willows: Chapter One Summary & Analysis

Mole has been busy all morning, spring cleaning his home. After applying some whitewash, suddenly Mole throws up his paws and hurries out of his house, without even putting a coat on. Something up above seems to be calling to him as he scrabbles up the tunnel and finally emerges in the sunlight of a meadow. The sunshine is warm, and the birds are singing. Happily, Mole makes his way across the meadow to a hedge. There, an old rabbit asks the Mole to pay a toll to pass the hedge, but Mole insults the rabbit and hurries on. He strolls through the countryside and is thrilled to apparently be the only idle person in the world.

Mole can’t imagine being any happier when suddenly, he comes to a river. He’s never seen one before, but this one seems like a “sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal,” “gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh.” Mole is entranced. He trots alongside the river in much the same way a child trots alongside an adult who has interesting stories to tell. Finally, Mole sits on the grass. But across the river in the bank, he notices a hole that would make a lovely home—and in that hole is a twinkling eye. It belongs to the Water Rat.

The animals eye and then greet each other. The Rat invites Mole to come over, and then ignoring Mole’s peevish reply, tugs on a rope. This reveals a boat that Mole loves instantly. Rat rows across the river, helps Mole into the boat, and then begins to row back across. When Mole admits he’s never been in a boat, Rat is aghast. Rat insists that there’s nothing “half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” He’s so caught up in what he’s saying that the boat rams into the bank, throwing Rat to the bottom of the boat—but Rat keeps talking. He says that around the river and boats, fun is all that matters. It doesn’t matter if you reach your destination—or indeed, if you don’t get anywhere at all.

Rat suggests they spend the day on the river, and Mole promptly agrees. So, Rat fetches a big wicker picnic basket, passes it to Mole, and gets in. Mole is ecstatic when Rat explains what’s in the basket (a variety of cold meats and pickled goodies). But Rat says this is all normal for him; this is usual picnic fare. Mole can barely hear Rat, he’s so excited. He daydreams for a while, until the Rat compliments his black velvet smoking jacket. Then, Mole apologizes for being rude and asks Rat to tell him about life on the river. Rat says the river is his family and his world. Every season brings new joys and delights. When Mole asks if life on the river isn’t lonely, Rat scoffs—the riverbank is so crowded that some animals are actually moving away.

Gesturing to the woodlands, Mole asks what’s out there. Rat explains that that’s the Wild Wood, where animals who live on the riverbank don’t really go—some of the animals there are alright, and Badger is an upstanding gentleman whom nobody messes with. But there are also foxes and weasels, some of whom are alright, but most of whom aren’t at all trustworthy. Then, Mole asks what’s beyond the Wild Wood, out where it’s “all blue and dim.” Rat says that’s the Wide World, and the Wide World doesn’t matter to him or to Mole. He asks Mole to never mention it again.

Then, Rat steers the boat into a lake of sorts and then onto the shore. He helps the awed Mole ashore and then lets Mole unpack their picnic basket. Mole finds each food item exciting and happily digs in. When they’ve been eating for a few minutes, Rat asks what Mole is staring at. Mole says he sees a streak of bubbles on the water. At this, Rat chirrups—and Otter hauls himself out of the river. Otter good-naturedly reprimands Rat for not inviting him on the picnic, and he greets Mole. He explains that he actually came here to get some privacy. Just then, Badger emerges from a hedge—but he ignores Rat’s invitation to join them, returning to the hedge. Disappointed, Rat says this is normal. Badger “hates society.”

Otter tells Rat that he’s seen Toad out in a brand-new boat. Rat explains to Mole that Toad loves picking up expensive hobbies, like sailing or punting; last year, he kept a houseboat. He always makes his friends join in and then moves onto something new. Just then, the picnic party sees a brand-new boat in the distance—the rower is clearly Toad, and he’s doing a terrible job of rowing. Otter chuckles, snatches a mayfly out of the air, and disappears into the river. Mole is surprised, but animal etiquette means it’d be rude to ask about Otter’s disappearance.

Rat suggests they head back, so Mole takes on the daunting task of packing up the picnic basket. Then, Rat rows them home while muttering “poetry-things.” Mole, though, is restless and asks if he might row. Rat says Mole needs a few lessons first. But Mole grows suddenly jealous—he leaps up, grabs the oars, and tries one stroke. This capsizes the boat; the water is extremely cold. Mole can feel Rat laughing as Rat drags Mole out of the water by his collar. On the shore, Rat tells Mole to run a bit to dry himself while he dives for the basket.

Mole is very ashamed, so when Rat has gotten everything ready to go again, Mole asks for forgiveness. Rat cheerily says it’s all right, and he invites Mole to stay with him for a while. That way, Rat can teach Mole to row and swim. Mole is so overcome that he can barely speak. Rat looks away as Mole brushes tears off his face. Finally, they reach Rat’s home, and Rat lights a fire. Then, Rat tells Mole exciting stories about the river all evening. They have supper, and then Rat shows Mole to a guest room.

This day is the first of many similar days for the  newly “emancipated” Mole. Throughout the summer, he learns to swim and adores the rushing river. Occasionally, he hears the wind whispering into the reeds.