The Wind in the Willows Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter V Summary

Chapter V Summary

Having spent a gloriously chilly day exploring tributary streams, far upriver, with Otter, Rat and Mole now make their way back home. They come to a human village, which the river animals normally would avoid, but Rat assures Mole it's safe this time of year, that all the humans will be tucked snugly into their warm houses. They can see the villagers enjoying those warm houses as they pass by their windows. The domestic scenes of sleepy children being tucked in bed, a tired man tapping out his pipe, and especially a bird yawning in its cage, cause the weary travelers to wish they were already home, instead of having to trek so far through the December night.

Rat leads the way, and Mole follows obediently as they exit the village and continue homeward. Suddenly, all of Mole's senses light up. He smells home, his old home, the one he...
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