011_The Wind in the Willows 11_In a Ditch

The stars faded and the sun rose.
The dew sparkled on the grass.
"Good morning," said Rat, waking.
"Good morning," said Mole.
 
Toad was still sleeping and snoring.
"Well," said Rat, "there are chores to do."
Mole fed the horse and Rat got the dishes out.
Together they collected firewood.
 
Rat started a fire and Mole cooked breakfast.
Finally the smell of coffee woke Toad.
"Ah," said Toad, stretching. "Isn’t it great?
There are no chores to do on the road!"
 
"That’s true for people who sleep too late," grumbled Rat.
But Toad didn’t hear him.
He was too busy eating.
 
"I’m ready. Let’s go!" cried Toad after breakfast.
Mole and Rat got into the cart.
Toad tied the horse to the cart, and they started off.
The dusty road led through a meadow.
 
"Do you hear that noise?" asked Toad.
"It’s coming from behind us," said Mole.
They all looked.
A cloud of dust was coming up fast.
 
Vroom! 
Vroom!
"Oh no!" cried Rat. "Look out!"
A blast of wind zoomed past.
Vroom! 
Vroom!
 
"Ahh!" they screamed.
The cart tipped and fell over into a ditch.
The dust cleared.
Ahead, a big, beautiful car raced down the road!