The Wind in the Willows: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in The Wind in the Willows, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- MoleMole leaves his spring cleaning and discovers river life through his new friendship with Rat.First seen in chapter 1
- RatRat welcomes Mole to the river, takes him boating, and helps him after their boat overturns.First seen in chapter 1
- ToadToad passes Mole, Rat, and their picnic company in a racing boat.First seen in chapter 1
- BadgerBadger avoids company while Mole and Rat picnic by the river.First seen in chapter 1
- OtterOtter joins Mole and Rat during their riverside picnic.First seen in chapter 1
- PortlyPortly is Otter's missing son, whom Mole and Rat search for through the night.First seen in chapter 7
- The engine driverThe engine driver gives Toad transport and helps him hide from armed pursuers.First seen in chapter 8
- Sea RatSea Rat is a seafaring stranger whose travel stories awaken Rat's longing to go south.First seen in chapter 9
- Chapter 1
Mole abandons spring cleaning, discovers the river, and befriends Rat.
- Chapter 1
Rat rescues Mole after he overturns their boat and later teaches him to swim and row.
- Chapter 2
A speeding motorcar wrecks the friends' caravan holiday, and Toad orders a motorcar of his own.
- Chapter 3
Mole enters the Wild Wood alone, becomes frightened, and hides until Rat finds him.
- Chapter 3
Lost in the snow, Mole and Rat discover Badger's door and knock for help.
- Chapter 4
Badger shelters Mole and Rat, and they agree to confront Toad about his driving after winter.
- Chapter 5
Rat realizes Mole misses his old home and takes him back to Mole End.
- Chapter 6
Toad's friends confine him at Toad Hall, but he escapes by pretending to need medical help.
- Chapter 6
Toad steals a motorcar and receives a twenty-year prison sentence.
- Chapter 7
Mysterious piping guides Mole and Rat to Portly, whom a kindly demigod protects.
- Chapter 7
Mole and Rat return Portly to Otter, but the demigod removes their memory of the encounter.
- Chapter 8
The jailer's daughter helps Toad escape from prison disguised as a washerwoman.
- Chapter 8
An engine driver carries Toad away and helps him hide when armed pursuers follow.
- Chapter 9
A seafaring stranger tempts Rat to leave for the South, but Mole stops him and offers comfort.
- Chapter 10
Toad steals and sells a barge horse, then crashes the motorcar he previously stole.
- Chapter 11
Rat tells Toad that armed Wild Wood animals occupy Toad Hall, and Toad twice fails to regain entry.
- Chapter 11
Badger proposes attacking through a secret tunnel while Mole frightens the sentries with false reports.
- Chapter 12
The four friends enter Toad Hall through the secret passage and drive out its occupiers.
- Chapter 12
Toad behaves modestly at the celebration and makes gifts and payments to people who helped him.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- The RiverThe River is where Mole meets Rat and begins learning to boat and swim.First seen in chapter 1
- Wild WoodWild Wood is the frightening wood Mole enters alone while seeking Badger.First seen in chapter 3
- Mole EndMole End is Mole's old home, where Rat helps him welcome caroling field mice.First seen in chapter 5
- the villageThe village has warmly glowing windows that Mole and Rat pass on their way home.First seen in chapter 5
- Toad HallToad Hall is Toad's home, where his friends confine him to stop his dangerous driving.First seen in chapter 6
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