The Wind in the Willows

1. Why is Mole lucky to have met Rat on his first trip out into the world? What might have happened to Mole if Rat hadn’t found him?

2. What was Mole’s first impression of Toad? How did it change after the trip in the gypsy caravan?

3. Do you think it was brave or foolish of Mole to go off into the Wild Wood by himself? Explain your answer.

4. How did Rat show his friendship to Mole when they both got lost in the wild Wood?
5. What problems do you think Toad, Mole and Rat may have with their friendship in the future?

6. If Mr. Toad lived today, what new craze or fad would he take up?

7. Whose house do you find most appealing – that of Badger, Mole, Rat, or Toad – and why?

8. Do you think friendship was the same in 1908 as it is today?

9. Would you have liked to live in the English countryside in 1908, in the setting of this book? Why or why not? How does the time period influence the way the four main characters speak.

10. What secret message do you think Rat and Mole heard in the wind in the willows?

11. How does Toad’s strong sense of dignity create a serious danger for him?

12. Do you think Toad will return to Toad Hall without being found by the police? Why or why not?

13. If Rat and the Sea Rat were humans, would this part of the story still be a fantasy?

14. How does the way Toad acts with the barge-woman show that prison didn’t change him?

15. How did the battle for Toad Hall help unite Rat, Mole, Badger, and Toad and make them forget their conflicts with each other?

16. What conflict did Toad have with himself after Toad Hall was regained?

17. Do you think the four friends will continue to live peacefully together? IF not, what might happen?

18. What lessons about friendship did you learn from this book?