The Coucside Review :
The Wind in the Willow by Kenneth Grahame 1908
Is a
classic book for children to adults, set in the background of the river Thames
and the jungle in England tells the story of the friendship between 4 animals.
The
story begins in the spring, Mole, who is busy cleaning his house, then goes to
the bank of a river he has not met before. After a while he met Ratty the water
rat, then they got acquainted and Ratty took Mole in his rowboat across the
river, they quickly became close and had adventures to spend time on the river.
In the
summer Mole and Ratty came to visit Mr. Toady. Toady is a frog that is rich,
kind, cheerful and also arrogant. He has many hobbies and gets bored quickly of
them, currently he is playing with his horse race, soon he gets bored and
becomes obsessed with cars.
Because of Toady's carelessness that often gets him in trouble. Mole and Ratty then meet with Mr Badger. Mr. Badger is a friend of Toad's dead father, a mature, firm but caring person. He is also very strict with immature Toads.
Mole
and Ratty welcoming warm by Mr. Badger in his house, they gived foods and dry
clothes, they also have a converse for an while until Mr. Badger heard the news
that Toady the trouble maker make a mess again, he crush 7 cars and make him end
in the hospital also pay spending much money for pay the fine.
But
the three of them are determined to protect Toady with his reckless and
rebellious behavior, they hold Toady as a prisoner with those who are guarding
him, Toady refuses and escapes and runs away. Toady who escaped from Moly,
Ratty and Mr. Badger is now stealing other people's cars and driving recklessly
until he is caught by the police and has to spend 20 years in prison.
While
in prison Toady gets the attention and sympathy of the warden's daughter, then
helps him escape from prison, he returns to his house and meets Ratty. Ratty
tells Toady that his house has been taken over by a gang from the Wild Wooders.
The
four of them Mole, Ratty, Mr. Badger and Toady then work together to get rid of
the intruders.
After
successfully repel the intruders, Toady intends to make a celebration for his
return, he is also well-behaved and calm, very different from the Toady they
have known so far. Toady also intends to make up for all losses to everyone who
has been affected by his actions.
The
story ends here, Toady who used to be very reckless is now starting to realize that
his nature is not good, he is really grateful for the presence of his friend.
This
book is fairly simple but also has a deep meaning, the way these 4 animals
understand each other's behavior and they can stay together despite their
differences.
