The Willows at Christmas

Is a (non-series) sequel to

Canonical title

The Willows at Christmas

Original publication date

1999

People/Characters

Mole [The Wind in the Willows]; Rat [The Wind in the Willows]; Mr. Badger; Mr. Toad; Otter [The Wind in the Willows]; Miss Bugle (show all 7); Groat of Toad Hall

Important places

Toad Hall

Important events

Christmas

First words

"O my!" murmured Mr Mole of Mole End most unhappily as he stoked up his coal fire against the bitter December night.

Quotations

“It’s because that woman says ‘e spends too much, which is a rum go, seein’ as ‘e’s related to the Lord and Lords is meant to spend, otherwise what’s the point?”

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Mole: “Oh, dear,” he told himself. “This will never do: They’re going to cook me without tucking some thyme and bayleaves into the sacking, and I’m sure I would taste bettr if they covered me with a rasher or two of... (show all) fatty bacon. Oh my, to be cooked is not good, to be sure. Bu to be cooked badly is a tragic way to end one’s days!”
He swooned once more, and when next emerged into consciousness he found himself crying out. “Make sure you put some cranberry and onion confit on the table, for I’ll taste a good bit better with that!”

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Some of the decorations simply streamed in shimmering lines, others swooped in handmade chains, and yet others declared themselves as suns and moons, as firebirds, as cherubs, or as reindeers flying through the night. And tha... (show all)t was just what hung – for upon every flat surface there were tens, nay hundreds, more decorations, some of wood, some tin, some brass, all brightly coloured or shining, intricately catching the gaslight above and the bright firelight below, and turning it all into a universe of a hundred thousand shimmering stars.

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It was well that the compote (his) and the scones and cream (hers) could not be compared becase each was sure the other was the better. Nor, had there been a contest as to who was the more sympathetic listener, could one have... (show all) emerged the victor, for both were undoubtedly experts.

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Toad: “I feel ashamed in all directions!”

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It was in a heavily gilded frame and a corner of this crashed unerringly into the portrait of Nanny Fowle and dealt as severe a death blow as can be dealt to an inanimate object. It seemed to tear the portrait apart, frame ... (show all)and all, leaving it in tatters on the carpet, made subjugate by Toad Senior, who quite unharmed smiled benignly at them all, and particularly at his son.

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Goodbye for now, you fellows," he called softly after them, "and may your every wish come true!"