【英】《柳林风声》第1集： The River Bank

Mole had been working hard all morning long. He was spring cleaning with brooms, dusters, 

and a pail of whitewash. His eyes were filled with dust. His throat was filled with dust. Splashes of whitewash covered his fur. His back ached.

“I’ve had enough,” said Mole. He bolted out the door without putting on his coat. Something above was calling him up to the sun and air.

So he scraped and scratched and scratched and scraped with his paws until pop! His snout came out into the sunlight. Mole found himself rolling in the warm grass of a large meadow.

This is fun! he thought. This is better than whitewashing. The sunshine felt warm on his fur. Soft breezes touched his brow. The songs of birds reminded him how alone he had been underground. Jumping on all four legs at once, he ran across the meadow. His heart raced.

“Stop!” said an old rabbit. “This is a private road. You must pay six pennies to pass.”

But Mole didn’t stop. He continued exploring the meadow. The birds, flowers, and breeze made him happy. He noticed all the creatures working around him—working while he played! He took great pleasure realizing that the best part of a holiday is not resting but seeing everyone else working.

He didn’t think he could feel any happier than he did in the meadow. But then he came upon a river! He had never seen a river before. He was fascinated by the gurgling sound of the water. The glints, gleams, and sparkles mesmerized him.

As he sat on the grass and looked across the river, a dark hole in the bank caught his eye. He dreamed it would be the perfect home for an animal who longed to live by the river. Just then, something 

popped out of the hole and winked at Mole. It was a little brown face with whiskers. It had small ears and thick, silky hair. It was a water rat!

The two animals stood and stared at each other cautiously.

“Hello, Mole!” said Rat. 

“Hello, Rat!” said Mole.

“Would you like to come over?” asked Rat. 

Mole was wondering how he’d reach the other side when he saw Rat unfasten a rope and step into a boat. Mole hadn’t noticed the boat before. It was painted blue outside and white inside. It was the perfect size for two small animals. Even though Mole wasn’t exactly sure what it was, he stepped into it when it arrived. 

“This is a wonderful day,” said Mole.“I’ve never been in a boat before.”

Rat shoved off. “What?” cried Rat. “Never been in a boat? What have you been doing? Believe me, there is nothing as good as messing about in boats all day.”

“Look out, Rat!” cried Mole suddenly.

It was too late. The boat struck the bank full tilt. Rat lay on his back at the bottom of the boat. 

His heels were in the air. Rat picked himself up and laughed.

“It doesn’t matter if you even get anywhere in a boat. As long as you are in a boat, it’s a wonderful day,” said Rat.

Mole wiggled his toes as Rat steered toward a dock.

“Why not spend the day with me?” asked Rat. He scurried off the boat and brought back a lunch basket. He lifted the lid to show Mole the treats inside.

Mole couldn’t believe his luck. “I can hardly wait to begin.” Soon, Mole was lost in his thoughts. He was thinking about this new world he had entered with his new friend. He felt quite fortunate.

After a half hour, Rat felt it was okay to disturb Mole. “I like your jacket very much.”

“I beg your pardon,” said Mole. “You must think I’ve been rude just staring at the river all this time. This is all so new to me.” He sucked in his breath. 

“So this is a river!”

“The river,” corrected Rat.

“What a jolly life you have,” said Mole.

Rat agreed. “It’s my world. I don’t want any other. Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, the river is always exciting.”

“Isn’t it dull sometimes?” asked Mole. “Just you and the river?”

Rat laughed. “You are new at this. Actually, the bank is crowded with animals. Otters, kingfishers, moorhens, and all sorts of creatures live here. They always want to do something!” 

“What lies over there?” asked Mole, waving a paw toward the woods on one side of the river.

“That? Oh, just the Wild Wood,” said Rat. “We riverbankers don’t go in there too often.” 

“Why not?” asked Mole nervously. “Aren’t there nice animals in there?”

“Well,” replied the Rat, “the squirrels are all right. The rabbits are mixed. Some are nice. Others? Well, not so much.” Then he smiled. “And of course Badger lives there. He lives in the heart of it. He wouldn’t move anywhere else. Nobody would ever bother Badger.”

“Who would try?” asked Mole.

“Foxes and weasels and so on,” said Rat. “I’m friends with all of them, but you can’t really trust them.”

Mole knew that he shouldn’t dwell on possible trouble ahead, so he changed the subject. “And what’s beyond the Wild Wood?”

“Ah,” said Rat. “Beyond the Wild Wood is the Wide World. I’ve never been there and I’ll never go there. You won’t either if you have any sense at all.” The Rat sighed. “Please don’t ever refer to it again.”

Mole shuddered and promised to never mention the Wide World again.