The Wind in the Willows
Rat and Mole are called to the estate of Toad Hall by Mr. McBadger. The owner of Toad Hall, J Thadddeus Toad, has once again gone off and fallen into another extravagant hobby. This pains McBadger, who has been trying to straighten out Toad's financial situation for some time. Toad is currently 'rampaging across the country' in a gypsy cart, pulled by a horse name Cyril.After much scouring of the countryside, Rat and Mole manage to find Toad, and get him to stop for a talk. However, he refuses to listen to their lecturing, and proceeds on his way.Not far off, Toad lays eyes on a motorcar, and he now has found a new 'mania' to become obsessed over: motor-mania. Hearing his 'sputtering' rantings, Rat and Mole manage to get ahold of Toad, return him to Toad Hall, and lock him in his room, hoping that rest will calm him down. However, Toad now completely obsessed, sneaks out of his residency.Shortly thereafter, Toad is arrested for supposedly trying to steal a motorcar. At the hearing, Toad decides to act as his own attorney. Cyril is called to the stand, who explains that after escaping from Toad Hall, Toad met up with him, and on a journey the next morning, they spy a red motorcar, which pulls up to a tavern. At the helm of the motor car are a band of weasels who then proceed into place of business. Even given their sordid reputation, Toad enters the tavern, and talks to the bartender, named Mr. Winky. Toad quickly makes it known that he wants the motorcar, and is willing to pay handsomely. However, having no money, he decides to trade the deed to Toad Hall for it.The prosecuting attorney still doubts this claim, and Mr. Winky is called to testify. However, Winky claims that Toad actually was trying to sell him a stolen motorcar. With this testimony, Toad is found guilty. His friends try to plead for a re-trial, but their requests are denied.In prison, Toad sorrowfully regrets his foolish acts. As Christmas approaches, a visitor is allowed in to see Toad. Claiming to be his Grandmother, Cyril infiltrates the jail, and gives Toad an old woman's outfit, to use to escape. Toad leads the police on chase first by foot, and then behind the throttle of a locomotive. Finally abandoning the train, Toad makes his way to Rat's residence, where McBadger soon joins them. McBadger relays that he saw Toad Hall alight, and filled with Weasels. Also in their midst, was Mr. Winky, holding the deed to Toad Hall. This is proof that Winky lied in court, and Toad is innocent. However, to prove this, the group must get the deed back.After sneaking in through a secret entrance in Toad Hall, the group go through a mad dash to try and retrieve the deed. Finally succeeding, Toad's name is cleared, and it seems that Toad has reformed, finished with his mad 'mania.'However, no sooner do his friends toast their good fortune, than a resounding crash is heart, and Toad is seen outside flying an airplane.
good versus evil