Sarah Hand II

 

Ratty enjoying a lemonade, this illustration is by Sarah Hand to introduce a new book challenge hosted by the inimitable Monty Lee, which commences on June 3rd for a week. This time the theme is The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (1859 -1932). 

Prompt 1:

The afternoon sun was getting low, as rat sculled gently homewards in a dreamy mood, murmuring poetry things to himself . . . (mole is in the little blue boat with him).

Prompt2: 

They (Rat and Mole) strolled across the flower decked lawn, in search of toad, whom they presently happened upon resting in a wicker garden chair , with a preoccupied expression on his face, and a large map in front of him. 

Prompt 3 

Twigs crackled under Mole's feet, logs tripped him, fungus on stumps resembled caricaturesand startled him for the moment, by their likeness to something familiar and far away. Trees crouched nearer and nearer, and holes made ugly mouths. 

Prompt 4:

Otter was coming through the snow as the red sun was rising and showing against the tree trunks. Snow slid off the branches, snow castles and snow caverns had sprung out of nowhere in the night.

Prompt 5:

Mole subsided forlornly on a tree stump and tried to control himself. The sob he had fought with so long refused to be beaten. Poor Mole at last gave up the struggle, and cried freely and helplessly, now that he knew it was all over and he had lost what he could hardly be said to have found. 

Prompt 6: 

It was still too hot to think of staying indoors, so Mole lay on some cool dock leaves, and thought over the past days and its doings, and how very good they all had been.

Prompt 7:

Toad, still in disguise of the old washer-woman, stood safe and sound in the hall, streaked with mud and weed to be sure, but happy and high spirited, now that he found himself once more in the house of a friend.