Shadowing Practice: Learn English Through Story ★ Slow and Easy English Listening Practice Level 2 - Learn English Speaking with Video
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Chapter 1 The Riverbank It is spring, and the mole is cleaning his little home.
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He is working very hard, and he is very tired.
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Suddenly, he decides to stop.
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He wants to go outside.
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He goes up a small tunnel and arrives outside in a meadow.
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This is nice, he thinks when he arrives in the sunlight.
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This is better than cleaning.
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He is very happy.
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He crosses meadows and woods.
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He sees rabbits, birds and a lot of other animals.
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They are all working hard.
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Finally, he arrives at the river.
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He sits down on the grass.
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The water rat comes out of his hole in the riverbank.
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He sees Mole.
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Hello, Mole, he says.
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Would you like to come over?
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Oh, hello, Rat.
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Yes, I would.
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But how? replies Mole.
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I can come and get you in my boat.
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Rat gets into a little boat
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and crosses the river mole gets into the boat this is
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wonderful says mole this is my first time in a boat
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your first time says rat there's nothing better than boats let's
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go for a picnic oh yes please says mole rat goes into his house
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and returns with a big basket full of food They go down the river in the boat.
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Rat tells Mole about life on the river and about his neighbours, the otters, kingfishers and moorhens.
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Mole sees a wood in the distance.
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What's over there? he asks.
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That's the wild wood, says Rat.
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We don't go there often.
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Are they nice people there? asks Mole.
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Well, replies Rat, the squirrels and rabbits are all right, and there's Badger, he's nice.
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But the weasels, stoats and foxes, you must be careful with them.
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They stop for their picnic, and Mole unpacks the basket.
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Soon the otter arrives.
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Hello, otter, says Rat.
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This is my friend Mr. Mole.
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Pleased to meet you, says otter to Mole.
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Suddenly, the badger appears, and Rat invites him to the picnic.
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But badger turns around and goes away.
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Badger hates company, says Rat.
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We don't see him often, but look, there's Toad on the river in his new boat.
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It's Toad's new hobby, says Otter.
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Yes, says Rat.
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First it was sailing, then it was houseboating.
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He changes hobby all the time.
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Rat waves to Toad, but Toad doesn't stop.
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Rat and Mole return to Rat's house in the boat.
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Rat invites Mole to stay with him, and Mole is very happy.
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Toad's rich,
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you know says rat is told very nice asks mole oh yes replies rat he's very nice he isn't very intelligent
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but we can't all be clever and sometimes he's boastful and arrogant
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but he's got some good qualities soon they arrive at toad
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hall they pass by a boating house it is full of boats They are all out of the water.
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It seems that Toad isn't interested in boating anymore.
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I wonder what his new hobby is, says Rat.
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Rat and Mole get out of the boat
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and walk across the gardens of toad hall they see toad in the garden he is looking at a big map
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he is very pleased to see rat
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and mole hello toad says rat this is my friend mole oh splendid cries toad pleased to meet you come
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and see my new hobby he shows them a gypsy caravan It is yellow and green, with red wheels.
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There's real life, cries Toad.
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The open road, travel, change, interest, excitement.
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Look inside, everything's there.
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We've got everything for our journey this afternoon.
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Excuse me, you say we, our, this afternoon?
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Asks Rat.
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Yes, Ratty, I can't go without you, says Toad.
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Oh, Rat, it's so exciting, says Mole.
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Very well, says Rat.
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Let's go.
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After lunch, they go to the paddock and catch the old grey horse.
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Then they set off on the road.
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It is a lovely afternoon, and the birds whistle at them, and passers -by say, Good afternoon.
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In the evening they stop and eat a simple meal.
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Then they go to bed.
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The next morning Toad sleeps until very late, so Mole walks to the nearest village.
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He buys milk and eggs for breakfast, and Rat lights a fire and washes the dinner plates from the night before.
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They are very tired after this hard work.
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Finally Toad gets up.
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Life on the road is very easy,
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he says After breakfast, they set off They are walking along the road When suddenly a magnificent motor car drives past
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The horse is frightened And pulls the caravan off the road into a ditch The caravan is ruined.
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Rat is furious.
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You villains!
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Police!
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Help! he shouts.
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But Toad is sitting in the middle of the road.
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He is staring in the direction of the motor car.
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Poop, poop!
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he says.
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Poop, poop!
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Rat and Mole try to pull the caravan out of the ditch, but they can't.
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Rat asks Can you help us, Toad?
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Poop, poop, replies Toad Now that's the real way to travel,
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the only way The caravan is ruined, and they must return home by train The next day,
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Toad buys a big and very expensive motor car
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Chapter 3 The Wild Wood
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Mole wants to meet Badger.
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Could you ask him here for dinner?
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He asks Rat.
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He wouldn't come, replies Badger.
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Rat.
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He hates company.
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Well, can we go and call on him?
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suggests Mole.
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Oh no, says Rat.
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He's very shy, and also he lives in the middle of the wild wood.
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It is clear that Rat doesn't want to visit Badger.
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It is wintertime, and Rat sleeps a lot.
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One afternoon, he is sleeping in his armchair in front of the fire,
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so Mole decides to go and explore the wild wood and meet Badger.
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He goes outside.
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It is very cold, and the sky is grey.
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He is happy, and when he arrives at the wild wood, he is not frightened.
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Then he starts to see faces, hundreds of faces, little faces with hard eyes.
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mole is frightened
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and leaves the path in a panic mole starts to run
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he doesn't know where finally he hides inside the hollow of an old tree rat wakes up and looks for mole people.
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But Mole is not there.
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Mole's hat and boots are gone.
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Rat goes outside and sees footprints.
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They are going in the direction of the wild wood.
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Rat is worried.
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He goes back into the house, takes two pistols and a big stick, and sets off for the wild wood.
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He also sees little faces with hard eyes.
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But they disappear immediately when they see his pistols and stick.
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Rat hunts for an hour.
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Molly!
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Molly!
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Where are you?
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It's me, Rat!
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Finally, he hears a cry.
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Ratty, is that really you?
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I'm so frightened.
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Rat sees Mole under the tree.
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Mole, you mustn't come into the wild wood alone We animals from the riverbank always come in couples
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But brave Mr Toad isn't frightened of the wood, says Mole Rat laughs Toad?
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He wouldn't come here for a hat full of gold
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But now we must leave for home before night comes Rat looks around It's snowing,
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and everything looks so different in the snow.
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They set off bravely, but after two hours they stop for a rest.
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The snow is very deep, and they are very tired and wet.
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We're very tired, says Rat.
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Let's find a dry cave or hole, then we can rest before trying again.
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They look for shelter.
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Suddenly, Mole falls down.
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Oh, my leg!
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He cries.
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Poor Mole, says Rat.
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He looks at the cut on Mole's leg.
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This is a cut from metal, not a branch, he says.
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He starts to dig in the snow.
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Hooray!
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Hooray!
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he shouts.
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What is it?
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asks Mole.
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They see a little green door.
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A bell is hanging next to it.
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Under the bell is written, Mr. Badger.
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Rat hits the door with his stick, and Mole rings the bell.
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Chapter 4.
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Mr. Badger Mole and Rat wait for a long time,
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and finally they hear footsteps.
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The door opens a little, and they see a nose and two sleepy eyes. Who is it?
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asks Badger.
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He is angry.
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Oh, Badger, cries Rat.
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It's me, Rat, and my friend Mole.
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We're lost in the snow.
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My dear Ratty, says Badger.
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Come in, lost in the snow, in the wild wood.
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This isn't the kind of night for small animals to be out.
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He takes them to the kitchen.
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There is a fire burning in the fireplace.
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Badger gives them dressing gowns and slippers.
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They sit in front of the fire while Badger prepares dinner for them.
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They are very hungry, and they eat and eat.
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How's old Toad? asks Badger.
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From bad to worse, says Rat.
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Another accident in his car.
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This is the seventh.
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He's always in hospital or paying fines.
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He needs to pay for a driver, but he's convinced that he's a good driver.
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Badger thinks.
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I can't do anything now, but when the nights are short, we must talk to Toad.
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He must become sensible.
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Now it's time for bed.
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He takes them to a room.
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It is full of food for the winter.
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Apples, turnips, potatoes, nuts and honey.
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But there are also two little beds.
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Mole and Rat get undressed and go to sleep.
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The next morning they get up very late.
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They are eating breakfast in the kitchen when the front doorbell rings.
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It's Otter.
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He is very happy to see Rat and Mole.
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Everybody on the river is very worried about you, he says.
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At that moment, Badger arrives.
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I think it's time for lunch, he says.
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During lunch, Otter and Rat talk about the river.
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Mole tells Badger I like your house.
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It's good to live underground Badger is pleased that Mole likes his house Yes,
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here it's safe, peaceful and quiet After lunch,
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Badger shows Mole his home There are a lot of rooms
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and tunnels They return to the kitchen Ratty is wearing his coat Come on, Mole, it's time to go, he says.
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We must go before night.
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He is worried.
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It's all right, says Otter.
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I'm coming with you.
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Don't worry, Ratty, says Badger.
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My tunnels go to the edge of the wood.
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He picks up a lantern and takes them down a long tunnel.
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After a long time, they see daylight.
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They are on the edge of the wild wood.
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Badger says goodbye and goes away quickly.
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Otter takes them to the river.
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Mole is very happy to be home.
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Chapter 5 Mr. Toad It is a sunny morning in summer.
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Mole and Rat are having breakfast.
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Suddenly, there is a knock at the door.
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Mole goes to the door and comes back with Badger.
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Badger looks very serious.
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It's time, he says.
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Time for what? asks Rat.
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He looks at the clock.
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Time for who?
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says Badger.
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Time for Toad!
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We must talk to him.
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I know that another big new motor car is arriving at Toad Hall today.
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We must go and talk to Toad before it's too late.
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Good, says Rat.
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We must save poor Toad.
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When they arrive at Toad Hall, a big red car is in front of the house.
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Toad is coming out of the house.
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He is wearing goggles, a cap, an enormous coat, and gloves.
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Hello, he says when he sees them.
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Take him inside, says Badger to Rat and Mole.
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They take him inside.
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Now, Toad, says Badger, take these stupid clothes off.
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No, says Toad.
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Why are you doing this?
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Take his clothes off, Badger orders.
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Rat sits on Toad, and Mole takes off Toad's motor clothes.
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Now Toad, says Badger You don't listen to our advice You're spending all your money
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And people are talking about the animals Because of your fast driving
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and problems with the police But Toad is not sorry
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So they lock him in a bedroom You can come out when you're sorry, says Rat They go downstairs.
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Toad shouts at them through the keyhole.
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Toad's very determined, says Badger.
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It's a difficult situation.
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We must never leave Toad alone.
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The days pass, but Toad is still interested in cars.
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He becomes depressed.
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One morning, Rat is with Toad.
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How are you today, Toad? he asks.
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Not very well, replies Toad.
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Could you go to the village and call the doctor?
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Rat is worried.
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A doctor?
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He must be very ill.
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He goes out of the room and locks the door.
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Then he runs to the village.
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Toad jumps out of bed and laughs.
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He gets dressed quickly.
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He puts some money in his pockets.
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He climbs out of the window and jumps to the ground.
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He then walks away in the opposite direction to Rat.
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The sun is shining, and he is very happy with himself.
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Poor Ratty, he thinks.
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He's a very good animal, but not very intelligent.
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I must educate him one day.
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He arrives in a small town and sees a sign, the Red Lion.
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Toad is very hungry.
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He goes into the inn and orders a big lunch.
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Suddenly he hears, and sees a car outside the inn.
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The people get out and go into the inn.
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Toad walks outside.
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He looks at the car.
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I wonder, he thinks, if this type of car starts easily.
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In a dream, he starts the car.
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Then sits in the driver's seat and drives away.
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He doesn't think about right or wrong He drives faster and faster We must punish this villain severely,
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says the magistrate He's guilty, first of all, of stealing a motor car Secondly, of driving dangerously and, thirdly,
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of being rude to the police.
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I give you twenty years in prison.
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Poor Toad is locked up in prison.
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Chapter 6 Toad's Adventures
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Toad is very unhappy.
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Ah, this is the end of everything, he thinks.
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The end of the career of Toad, the popular and handsome Toad, the rich and kind Toad.
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He starts crying.
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Now I must stay in this dark prison.
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Oh, clever rat and sensible mole.
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Oh, intelligent badger.
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Poor Toad.
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The days and weeks pass, and he refuses to eat.
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The jailer has got a daughter, and she helps her father in the prison.
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She is very fond of animals and is sorry for Toad.
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One day she asks, Father, please let me look after Toad.
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He's so unhappy and so thin.
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She knocks on the door of Toad's cell.
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Now, Toad, she says, sit up and stop crying.
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Be sensible and eat some dinner.
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The dinner smells very good, and Toad starts to think that life is not so bad.
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He sits up and starts to eat.
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The jailer's daughter asks him about Toad Hall.
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He talks about his home.
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Then she asks him about his animal friends.
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When the girl leaves, Toad is himself again, the same arrogant animal.
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The days pass, and they have a lot of interesting talks together.
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The jailer's daughter is very sorry for Toad, and thinks it is wrong that Toad is in prison.
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Vain Toad believes that she is in love with him
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and is a little sorry that the social gap between them is so big One morning she says Listen Toad,
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I've got an aunt She's a washerwoman and does the washing for all the prisoners here Now,
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you're very rich and she's very poor I think that
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if you pay her she can give you her dress and bonnet We'll be right back.
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And you can escape.
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You are very similar.
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We are not, says Toad.
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I'm very elegant, considering I'm a Toad.
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My aunt's also elegant, considering she's a washerwoman, says the girl.
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I'm trying to help you, and you are proud and ungrateful.
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Please introduce me to your aunt, says Toad.
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The next evening, the girl's aunt comes into the cell.
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She is carrying Toad's washing.
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On the table is a pile of gold coins.
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The washerwoman gives Toad a cotton dress, an apron, and a bonnet.
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Then Toad takes off his coat and waistcoat and puts on the dress, apron, and bonnet.
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Goodbye, Toad, says the girl.
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Toad is nervous, but he goes out.
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No one stops him.
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When he is outside, he walks towards the town.
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Soon he sees some red and green lights and the noise of a train.
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Aha, he thinks.
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A railway station.
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I can catch a train home.
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He goes to the ticket office and asks for a ticket to the village near Toad Hall.
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But he has no money.
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It is all in his waistcoat pocket in the prison.
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He cannot get home.
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Toad is very sad.
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He walks down the platform.
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He starts to cry.
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Hello!
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What's the matter?
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asks the train driver.
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Sir! cries Toad.
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I'm a poor washerwoman.
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I have no money.
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I can't pay for a ticket, and I must get home tonight.
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Very well, says the kind train driver.
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You're the washerwoman.
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I could give you a ride if you wash some shirts for me.
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Toad climbs up.
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The guard waves his flag, and the train moves out of the station.
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Now Toad is very happy.
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He thinks about Toad Hall, his friends, and good things to eat.
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After some time, the train driver says, It's very strange.
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We're the last train tonight, but I'm sure there's another train behind us.
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Toad immediately becomes serious and depressed.
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And the train is full of policemen with truncheons.
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They're shouting, Stop!
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Stop!
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Stop!
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continues the train driver.
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Toad falls to his knees.
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Save me, Mr. Traindriver.
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I'm not a washerwoman.
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I'm Toad, the well -known and popular Mr. Toad.
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They want me.
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I'm a car thief, and I'm running away from prison.
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The Traindriver looks very serious.
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I must stop and give you to the police, but you're obviously very sorry.
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Soon, there's a tunnel.
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At the other end, there's a wood.
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You must jump out and hide in the wood.
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After the tunnel, Toad jumps.
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He runs into the wood and hides.
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The police train comes out of the tunnel and continues following the other train.
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Toad laughs, but soon he stops laughing.
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It is very late and dark and cold.
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He is in a strange wood with no money and far away from friends and home.
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Cold, hungry and tired, he makes a bed with dead leaves and branches under a tree and goes to sleep.
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Chapter 7 The Further Adventures of Toad Toad wakes up early.
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The sun is shining.
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He stands up and starts walking.
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Soon he sees a canal.
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On it there is a barge pulled by a horse.
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There is a woman on the barge.
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Good morning, she says to Toad Maybe it's good for you, says Toad But I'm a poor washerwoman,
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and I'm going to see my married daughter She's in trouble All my other children are alone.
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I'm lost with no money.
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Where does your daughter live? asks the barge woman.
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Near the river, replies Toad.
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Near a fine house called Toad Hall.
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Toad Hall?
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I'm going in that direction, says the woman.
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Come with me in the barge.
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I can take you near Toad Hall.
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Lucky Toad gets onto the barge.
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So, you're a washerwoman, asks the woman.
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Oh, yes, says Toad.
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The best in the country.
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I'm very good.
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I love washing.
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Oh, then I'm very lucky meeting you, says the woman.
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I like washing too, but I never have the time.
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There's a big pile of washing inside.
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You can do my washing.
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Toad is frightened.
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Oh no, I don't want to ruin your clothes.
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I usually wash gentlemen's clothes.
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Oh no, says the woman.
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I want you to be happy.
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Toad is worried, but he thinks, It can't be so difficult to wash.
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Half an hour later, Toad is angry.
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The clothes are still dirty.
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Suddenly he hears the bargewoman.
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She is laughing.
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You can't wash.
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You aren't a washerwoman.
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Toad is furious.
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You common bargewoman.
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I'm Toad, the distinguished Toad.
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You mustn't laugh at me.
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The woman looks at Toad under his bonnet.
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Yes, you are, she cries.
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A horrible Toad in my nice clean barge.
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She takes him by the legs and throws him into the water.
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It is very cold.
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Toad gets out of the water.
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He looks at the woman.
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She is laughing at him.
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Toad wants revenge.
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He runs after the barge.
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He takes the horse and gallops away.
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Stop!
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Stop!
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Stop! shouts the woman toad laughs after some miles toad and the horse are sleepy and
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the horse stops to eat some grass toad looks around he sees an old dirty gypsy caravan.
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There is a man sitting next to it.
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There is also a fire.
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Over the fire is a pot full of stew.
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Toad is very hungry, and the stew smells delicious.
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The gypsy asks, Do you want to sell your horse?
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Oh no, replies Toad.
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I love my horse.
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But how much can you pay me?
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A shilling a leg, replies the gypsy.
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A shilling a leg, says Toad.
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I must work out how much that is in total.
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He thinks for a minute.
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But that's only four shillings.
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I cannot accept that.
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Give me, um, six shillings and some breakfast and you can have my horse.
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The gypsy agrees and gives Toad six shillings.
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Then he gives him an enormous plate of stew.
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Toad eats and eats and eats.
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After, the gypsy gives him directions for the riverbank and Toad says goodbye.
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He is happy again The sun is shining He has money in his pockets
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and a full stomach And he is near home After some time he sees a car in the distance
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Wonderful, thinks Toad I can stop the car
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and ask for a lift Then I can return to Toad Hall in a car He steps into the road, and the car slows down.
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But suddenly Toad becomes pale and falls to the ground.
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It is the car from outside the Red Lion, and the people in the car are the same people.
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Oh no!
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Prison again!
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Dry bread and water again!
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Ha ha ha ha!
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What a fool I am! cries toad the car stops and two men get out Oh dear,
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a washerwoman in the road.
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Let's take her to the village.
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They put Toad in the car and continue along the road.
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Toad feels brave again because the men do not recognize him.
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How do you feel now? asks one of the men.
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Better, thank you, sir, says Toad.
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But maybe if I can sit in the front seat next to the driver, I can have some fresh air on my face.
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Very sensible, says the man.
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So Toad gets into the front seat.
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Please, sir, says Toad.
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Can I drive the car for a little?
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The driver laughs.
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You can try, madam.
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Toad gets into the driver's seat and pretends to listen to the driver's instructions.
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At first he drives very carefully.
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The two men laugh and applaud.
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Oh, just imagine, a washerwoman driving so well!
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Toad goes a little faster, then faster and faster.
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The men say, Be careful, washerwoman!
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This annoys Toad, and he loses his head.
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Washerwoman!
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He shouts, I'm Toad, the motorcar thief, the famous, the clever, the fearless Toad!
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The two men jump on Toad, and the car goes off the road and finishes up in a pond.
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Toad flies through the air and lands on the soft grass of a meadow.
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He gets up and starts to run.
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He cries.
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Toad wins again!
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Clever Toad!
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He looks behind him.
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He sees the driver and two policemen running after him.
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What an idiot I am!
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He cries while he runs.
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How stupid I am!
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He runs and runs, but they get nearer.
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Poor Toad.
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He is a fat animal and his legs are short.
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Suddenly he falls into water.
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He is in the river.
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The water carries him along and soon he sees a big hole in the riverbank.
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He takes hold and pulls himself out of the water.
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He looks into the hole and sees a familiar face, brown and small.
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It is the water rat.
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Toad tries to tell Rat about his adventures and about how clever he is.
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But Rat is very serious.
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Toad, you are very silly.
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You must try to be sensible and mustn't embarrass your friends.
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Toad is very sorry.
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You're right, Ratty, he says.
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I want to be a good toad in the future.
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Let's have coffee and then I can go to Toad Hall and get some clean clothes.
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Go to Toad Hall? cries Rat.
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Don't you know?
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Toad becomes pale.
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Know what, Ratty?
530
You don't know about the ferrets and the weasels.
531
They're living in Toad Hall.
532
They think you aren't coming back from prison.
533
They lie in bed half the day and eat your food and drink your drink.
534
The place is in a mess.
535
Toad gets up and takes a stick.
536
It's no good, says Rat.
537
They've got sentries and are armed.
538
You must wait.
539
But Toad doesn't want to wait.
540
He marches down the road to Toad Hall.
541
At the front gate there is a ferret.
542
He shoots at Toad, and so Toad runs back to Rat.
543
Badger and Mole arrive.
544
We can't attack the house, says Badger.
545
They're too strong, but there's a tunnel.
546
It goes from the riverbank to the middle of Toad Hall.
547
Tomorrow night, it's the Chief Weasel's birthday, and there's a big party in the dining room.
548
We can enter secretly and then run into the dining room with our pistols and swords.
549
Yes, yes, cries Toad happily.
550
Now it's time to go to bed, says Badger.
551
We must rest because we've got a lot of work to do tomorrow night.
552
Chapter 8 The Return of Mr. Toad The following evening,
553
Rat calls everyone into the sitting room and prepares them for the expedition.
554
He gives them a belt, a sword, a pair of pistols, a policeman's truncheon, handcuffs, a flask, and a sandwich box.
555
When they are ready, Badger takes a lantern and says, Now, follow me!
556
Mole first, then rat, and Toad last.
557
And Toady, don't talk!
558
Toad wants to be part of the expedition, So he is quiet.
559
Badger takes them along the river for a little way, and then goes into a hole in the riverbank.
560
Mole and Rat follow silently, but Toad slips and falls into the water with a loud splash.
561
His friends pull him out, but Badger is very angry.
562
They continue along the secret tunnel.
563
It is cold and dark, and poor Toad starts to shiver because he is frightened, and also because he is completely wet.
564
At last, Badger says, We must be under the hall now.
565
They are at the end of the tunnel.
566
There is a door, and they all push against it.
567
It opens, and they are in the pantry next to the dining room.
568
The weasels are making a lot of noise They hear the chief weasel say Thank you,
569
thank you But before I finish, I would like to say one word about our kind host,
570
Mr. Toad Good, modest, honest Toad Everybody laughs,
571
and Toad is furious Badger stands up, takes his stick and says The time has come!
572
Follow me!
573
They open the door, and the four friends run into the dining room.
574
The weasels and ferrets are terrified and run everywhere in a panic.
575
The four friends go up and down the room, hitting the animals with their sticks,
576
and the weasels and ferrets try to escape through the windows and up the chimney.
577
After five minutes, the room is empty.
578
Now, Toad, says Badger, we've got your house back for you.
579
Now you can get us some food.
580
I'm hungry.
581
Toad is a little offended, because Badger doesn't tell him, Well done, and you are a great fighter.
582
But he says nothing, and finds some food for them to eat.
583
The next morning, Toad wakes up late as usual.
584
He comes down for breakfast.
585
Rat and Mole are sitting in the garden, and Badger is in the armchair, reading the newspaper.
586
Toad, says Badger.
587
You must have a banquet to celebrate your return, and you must write the invitations now.
588
What?
589
cries Toad.
590
I must stay inside and write letters on a lovely morning like this.
591
But then Toad has an idea. But wait!
592
Of course, dear Badger, I can start immediately.
593
Toad wants to write about his important part in the fight, and also about his many adventures.
594
He also thinks he can give a speech and sing some songs at the banquet it.
595
He works hard all morning, and when a weasel knocks at the door at midday and asks if he can be of service,
596
Toad tells him to deliver the invitations.
597
But after lunch, Rat and Badger sit Toad in a chair.
598
Look, Toad, says Rat, you must understand, you can't give a speech or sing songs.
599
Can't I sing just one little song? asks Toad.
600
No, says Rat.
601
You know that your songs are all boasting and vanity, and your speeches are gross exaggeration.
602
You know you must change.
603
You're right.
604
I promise to be a different Toad.
605
But this is a hard world.
606
That evening, when the banquet begins, Toad enters the dining room to meet his guests.
607
All the animals cheer and congratulate him, but Toad is very humble.
608
Oh no, he says.
609
Badger, Rat, and Mole are the real heroes.
610
The animals are very puzzled by his behavior, and Toad is happy because he feels that everyone is very interested in him.
611
At the end of the evening, some animals ask for a speech and a song, but Toad shakes his head.
612
He is a changed Toad.
613
After this great adventure, the four animals continue their lives in joy and contentment.
614
Toad sends a gold chain and locket with pearls to the jailer's daughter with a modest and grateful letter.
615
The train driver also receives thanks and compensation And Badger also makes Toad send money to the bargewoman for her horse
616
Sometimes during the long summer evenings,
617
the friends go for a walk in the wild wood The weasels greet them with respect Mother weasels call their children,
618
point and say Look, there goes great Mr. Toad, the brave rat and famous Mr. Mole.
619
But when their children are naughty, they say that the terrible grey badger is coming to get them.
620
This is, of course, not true, because badger is very fond of children, but it always has an effect.
621
I love you.
622
Thank you.
623
I'll see you next time.
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Vocabulary and speaking notes for this lesson
This speaking lesson is built on the video “Learn English Through Story ★ Slow and Easy English Listening Practice Level 2”. The speaker keeps coming back to these words: toad, rat, mole, badger. This video has 623 sentences and 5131 words to shadow. The speech runs for 47:43. The speaker talks slowly, about 108 words per minute, so there is time to copy every sound. Only 77% of the words are among the 3,000 most common in English, so the vocabulary is demanding.
Key vocabulary in this video
15 words from the video worth learning, with pronunciation and meaning:
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| arrive verb | /əˈɹaɪv/ | To reach; to get to a certain place. |
| tunnel noun | /ˈtʌn(ə)l/ | An underground or underwater passage. |
| barge noun | /ˈbɑɹd͡ʒ/ | A large flat-bottomed towed or self-propelled boat used mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods or bulk cargo. |
| wash verb | /wɑʃ/ | To clean with water. |
| shout verb | /ʃaʊt/ | To utter a sudden and loud cry, as in joy, triumph, exultation or anger, or to attract attention, to animate others, etc. |
| poop noun | /ˈpuːp/ | The sound of a steam engine's whistle, typically low-pitched. |
| caravan noun | /ˈkæɹəvæn/ | A convoy or procession of travellers, their cargo and vehicles, and any pack animals, especially camels crossing a desert. |
| adventure noun | /ədˈvɛn.t͡ʃə/ | A feeling of desire for new and exciting things. |
| hungry adjective | /ˈhʌŋ.ɡɹi/ | Affected by hunger; having the physical need for food. |
| clever adjective | /ˈklɛv.ɚ/ | Nimble with hands or body; dexterous; skillful; adept. |
| sensible adjective | /ˈsɛn.sɪ.bəl/ | Acting with or showing good sense; able to make good judgements based on reason or wisdom, or reflecting such ability. |
| hobby noun | /ˈhɑ.bi/ | An activity that one enjoys doing in one's spare time. |
| pistol noun | /ˈpɪstəl/ | A handgun |
| grey adjective | /ɡɹeɪ/ | Commonwealth standard spelling of gray. |
| pocket noun | /ˈpɑ.kɪt/ | A bag stitched to an item of clothing, used for carrying small items. |
Phrasal verbs you will hear
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| get up verb | To move in an upward direction; to ascend or climb. | |
| wake up verb | /ˌweɪk ˈʌp/ | To stop sleeping; to awake. |
| get out verb | To leave or escape. | |
| get out of verb | To leave, exit or escape from; to become free of. | |
| go away verb | To depart or leave a place. | |
| go up verb | To move upwards. | |
| look around verb | To inspect a building or area. | |
| set off verb | To leave; to set out; to begin a journey or trip. |
Sentences worth repeating
Short, complete lines from the video that you can reuse in everyday conversation:
- Would you like to come over?
- Excuse me, you say we, our, this afternoon?
- Could you ask him here for dinner?
- Ratty, is that really you?
- Can't I sing just one little song?
Grammar in this video
The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:
| Structure | In the video |
|---|---|
| Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does it | is told · is ruined · is written |
| Verb + -ing enjoy, keep, stop… + -ing — verbs that are followed by the -ing form | starts crying · stop crying · stops laughing |
| Comparatives -er than / more … than — comparing two things | better than |
| Superlatives the -est / the most … — the top or bottom of a group | the nearest · The best |
Pronunciation to watch
The speaker uses 76 contractions and reduced forms, such as I'm, can't, don't. Say them the short way, as you hear them.
- The “th” sounds: thief /ˈθiːf/, thin /ˈθɪn/, seventh /ˈsɛvənθ/
- The “sh” and “zh” sounds: wash /wɑʃ/, shout /ʃaʊt/, shine /ʃaɪn/, invitation /ɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/, expedition /ɛkspəˈdɪʃən/
- Long words — get the stress right: intelligent /ɪnˈtɛlɪd͡ʒənt/, invitation /ɪnvɪˈteɪʃən/, expedition /ɛkspəˈdɪʃən/, compensation /ˌkɑm.pənˈseɪ.ʃən/, magnificent /mæɡˈnɪfəsənt/
How to practise with this video
- Listen to the whole video once without speaking and note the words you do not know.
- Shadow it sentence by sentence at normal speed, repeating each one until your rhythm matches the speaker.
- Record yourself and compare with the original, paying attention to words like arrive, tunnel, barge.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.