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The Wind in the Willows in Bite-Size Verse
The jailer's daughter helps Toad
to escape from prison.
‘Toad, listen for a moment,’
The kind girl finally said.
She whispered to the Toad
As she gently bowed her head.
‘My aunt’s a washer woman.’
‘There, there, dear,’ Toad replied.
‘I have aunts who ought to be.’
He sniggered as he lied.
‘Be quiet for a minute,
You talk too much,’ she said.
‘And while I’m trying to think
Your talking hurts my head.
‘As I said I have an aunt,
She washes for the castle,
She takes it out on Mondays
Wrapped in a huge, brown parcel.
‘She brings it back on Fridays –
This is Thursday, as you know –
Now this is what occurs to me;
You’re rich – or say you’re so.
‘She’s poor and a few sovereigns
Would not be missed by you,
But they would mean a lot to her
And help her to get through.
‘I think if you approached her
And “squared” her, as you’d say,
You might reach an agreement
Which would help you get away.
‘She could let you have her dress,
Her bonnet and her cape;
Disguised then as a woman
You could make a bold escape.
‘You’re like her in some ways,
Especially round the waist.’
‘We’re not alike,’ Toad crossly said
With evident distaste.
‘I have a pleasant figure
Whatever you may say.’
‘So has my aunt,’ the girl replied,
‘But have it your own way.’
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first excerpt
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