【英】《柳林风声》第9集：Toad's Adventures

Toad passed the days and nights for several weeks by refusing meals. Each time the guard brought food to him, he sent it away. Finally, the guard stopped going to Toad’s cell altogether.

The guard, however, had a kindhearted daughter. She was particularly fond of animals. One day, the daughter said,“Father! I can’t bear to see that poor beast so unhappy. He’s getting too thin. Can I please take care of him? I’ll feed him from my hand.”

The man was tired of Toad and agreed to let his daughter do as she pleased. So that day, she knocked on the door of Toad’s cell.

“Now cheer up, Toad. Sit up and dry your eyes.

Be a sensible animal. Do try to eat a bit of this dinner. I’ve brought you mine hot from the oven.”

Toad couldn’t be persuaded that easily. He kicked and screamed and refused to be comforted. The girl had no choice but to leave. As she left, she pushed the plate toward him.

Alone, he couldn’t help but smell the cabbage. The more he sniffed, the hungrier he was. The more he ate, the happier he became. His mind started to think of poetry, meadows, kitchen gardens, and the comforting clink of dishes at Toad Hall. He thought of his friends.

He was feeling much better by the time the girl returned hours later. This time, she brought a cup of tea as well as a plate of toast. Toad sat up and dried his eyes. He sipped his tea and munched his toast. Soon, he was sharing his life story with the girl.

“Tell me about Toad Hall,”she said. And he did. He described the boathouse, the fish pond, the stables, and the henhouse. He then told her about the fun he had had with his friends as they sat telling stories and singing songs.

Toad and the girl had many interesting talks together. As the days passed, she grew even more fond of Toad. She knew it was a great shame that the poor animal should be locked up for such a small crime. Toad, of course, in all his vanity, thought that perhaps she loved him. He was, after all, the grand Mr. Toad!

One morning, as Toad talked, the girl hushed him.“Toad, please listen. I have an aunt who is a washerwoman. She washes all the clothes for the prisoners in this castle. She takes it out to wash on Monday morning and returns it Friday evening. Today is Thursday. She’ll be back tomorrow.”

She leaned in close.“You are very rich from what you say. She’s poor. I think you two could come to an agreement. If you pay her a few coins, she will give you her clothes. Then, you could dress in them and escape this castle. Every guard would think you were her.”

Toad crossed his arms.“You certainly wouldn’t have Mr. Toad of Toad Hall, going about the county dressed as a washerwoman!”