Wayfarers All, Seeking Adventure in The Wind in the Willows

(Image taken from Amazon.com)

Lately I’ve made it my mission to read books that have long been on my “to-read” list that I’ve put off for one reason or another. While my focus as of late zeroed in on works by J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and C.S. Lewis (The Space Trilogy), I took a relaxing detour and cracked open a classic tale, Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows.

I’m not quite sure how this one slipped through my reading list, and should’ve read the story years ago. I’m a fan of stories featuring animals, with Brian Jaques’ Redwall series being my all-time favorite book series. I watched the Disney adaptation on an old VHS tape many times growing up, and while I enjoyed it, after reading the story I much prefer the book. The Disney adaptation is fine on its own, but it focuses almost entirely on Toad’s portion of the book. Now, Toad is an entertaining character, and his adventure is full of action and chases, but the real stars of the book are Mole and Ratty. Their story resonates with me on a deeper level than Toad’s wild ride.

At the beginning of the book, Mole lives in his little home all alone. While in the midst of doing some spring-cleaning, the soil dweller decides he’s had enough of staying in his ordinary world and ventures out to see what the outside world has to offer him. Timid Mole eventually runs into an acquaintance, the much more worldly-wise Water Rat, who was just about to go on a boat ride and picnic. Upon learning that Mole has never been on a boat, the astonished Water Rat exclaims:

“What?” cried the Rat, open-mouthed: “Never been in a – you never – well, I – what have you been doing, then?” (Pg. 5)

The stunned Water Rat insists on opening Mole’s eyes to the wonders of life on the riverbank and “messing about in boats.” Over the course of the warm spring afternoon, Mole catches the same infatuation the Water Rat has for the river, and a deep and unbreakable friendship is forged between the two animals. Mole goes off to live with the Water Rat, leaving his solitude behind and embracing the wild world around him.

            Over the course of first portion of The Wind in the Willows, Ratty expands Mole’s social circle and introduces him to the good-hearted, but terribly flawed Toad, the gruff but wise Mr. Badger, and the jovial Otter and his son Portly. Each of these friends, including Ratty, have their own particular problems and flaws, and Mole helps each of them; just as they help him grow out of his shell.

            The Wind in the Willows has endured as a classic since its publication in 1908, and after reading it, I know why. The story is about brotherhood and friendship that goes beyond being in each other’s company. These friends have more than just a casual relationships, but a deep and sacrificial love that puts them in harms way. 

Brotherhood is often forgotten or put on the wayside, or if it is there it’s usually in helping each other with one’s romantic partners. There is no romantic love to be found in The Wind in the Willows, or female characters even. The love Mole, Rat, Badger, Otter, and to an extent Toad show each other is a brotherly love that seeks to help each other in their moments of weakness and need.

Early on, Mole and Rat are lost in the Wild Wood in search of Mr. Badger’s home. When Mr. Badger finds them freezing on his doorstep in a snowstorm, the kindly badger welcomes them inside, dressing their wounds, and offering them the very best of his provisions. Here, a bond is made between Mole and Mr. Badger, as they discover that they share a common love for life underground.

After Mole and Rat explain to Mr. Badger the depths of Toad’s automobile mania, the three form a pact to help their friend regain his senses at personal inconvenience and cost. The three barricade Toad in his home against his will, staying with him day and night until he is free of his own compulsions. Even when Toad escapes and winds up in prison, Mole and Mr. Badger take turns staying in Toad’s home and taking care of his affairs as he serves his sentence. Mole, Rat, and Mr. Badger even put their lives in risk as they go with Toad to free Toad Hall from the weasels, stoats, and ferrets that have taken over the Hall in the climax of the book.

When Otter’s beloved son Portly goes missing, Mole and Rat brave a late night boat ride to find the missing pup. This daring rescue mission leads to an unforgettable (except for all involved) encounter with Pan, rescue the lad from danger, and reunite father and son.

Even Rat is not immune to his own manias and requires rescuing. After a lengthy discussion with a Sea Rat about his wild adventures, the dreamer Rat becomes spellbound at the thought of travel, and sets out to follow the Sea Rat and never return to the riverbank. Upon learning of his friend’s intentions, Mole grabs onto Ratty and refuses to let go until the spell breaks and his friend regains his senses, preventing him from making a terrible mistake.

These are the moments where The Wind in the Willows shines the brightest. There are no worlds to be saved, no alien invaders, no government conspiracies, and no damsels in distress. This is a quiet adventure book, one for reading on a lazy afternoon or while snuggled in bed. This is a story of four closely-knit animal friends with very human and relatable problems who are more than happy to solve their issues sitting in armchairs around a roaring fire over tea and pipes. Some will find this story slow and dull, but I find it comforting and a balm to my busy and stressful life.

            Perhaps I love this story more than most will, because I can identify with Mole on a deeper level. Years ago I found myself in his shoes, living at home and surrounded by the only life I had known. I had a content life, with a roof over my head, in the midst of loved ones, and an easy part-time job. Yet deep inside, I yearned for something more that couldn’t be satisfied by staying put. The wild world called out to me to leave the security of my family and set out on an adventure of my own and travel to strange world of Missouri for college. To this day, I can’t think of a harder decision than the one I made that summer, and spent many fearful nights wondering what was to become of me. After a tearful goodbye to my family and friends, I entered the world of Horton Hall a wayfarer, surrounded by complete and utter strangers and miles away from home.

            It was the best decision I ever made.

            Over the course of a year, I formed deep friendships that changed my life forever. These friends stuck by my side through thick and thin, accepting me for my oddities, yet challenging me to mature as a person. When I met my future wife, my friends pushed and prodded me to leave the safety of my bachelor life and pursue her. These friendships endured over summer breaks, graduation, and vast distances, staying in touch over the phone and social media.

            I would not be the man I am today had I not answered the call to adventure like Mole. By taking that first step out of my parent’s home, I wouldn’t be married to my wife, pursuing a writing career, working with Children of the Wells, or have the many people I proudly call friends in my life. Like Mole, I have seen the riverbank, and I’m all the better for it.

            Rare is the book that the reader wishes to read again upon completion, yet I feel this way about The Wind in the Willows. Its tales of brotherhood and adventure speak to my soul, and shows a version of the world I want to experience firsthand. Yet like Mole, I’ve discovered the wonder that the world around me has to offer. Perhaps you too identify with Mole, yearning to try something new, but afraid of leaving the comforts around you. It doesn’t have to be crazy or drastic, and beware the manias that lead to disaster, but leave the ordinary world and follow the call to adventure, whatever that may be for you. You just might find something exciting waiting right around the corner.

            Just don’t go around crashing motorcars like Toad. That would be bad.

All quotes and images from:

The Wind in the Willows

By Kenneth Grahame

Illustrated by Dick Cuffari