” . . . Never in his life had he seen a river before – this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver – glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble. The Mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted, as one trots, when very small, by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories; and when tired at last, he sat on the bank, while the river still chattered on to him, a babbling procession of the best stories in the world, sent from the heart of the earth to be told at least to the insatiable sea. “
The Wind in the Willows, The River Bank, by Kenneth Graham
Penny,
This is a splendid selection from a favorite of mine.
So very sad about the fawn.
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I am so enjoying re-reading this, Marilyn, and it is your gentle encouragement that led me to pick it up again. I have taken to read a chapter or two each afternoon out in the arbor Tom made. Delightful.
Thank you, Marilyn. We were saddened to find the fawn. The good news is that its twin has been frolicking about.
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The book, with the fabulous Shepard illustrations has always been one of my favourites. My grandmother gave me a lovely linen bound copy for my 7th birthday…still a treasured possession. A great extract. J.
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How wonderful to have the book, Janice, and the memory of your grandmother and your 7th birthday. I love this book. My copy was given to me more than 40 years ago in college by a dear, dear friend. The book’s words have more meaning the older I get and the illustrations are so endearing, aren’t they?
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One of my all-time favourite books, Penny. So lovely.
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There is a timeless quality about The Wind in the Willows, isn’t there, Perpetua? I love it more with each year I grow.
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What exquisite writing this is, and in a short excerpt it’s possible to pause and enjoy every word. It’s such a special book. One day our little ones will be old enough to listen as we read it to them.
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Won’t it be grand to share Mole and Rat and Toad and the others with them in a few more years, Juliet? I’m savoring this re-read at about a chapter a day.
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For some reason this is one book I missed reading to our sons. At times it seemed like we had read the entire children’s section of the library. A few years ago I ran onto a nice copy at a thrift store and bought it, read it and found it delightful.
BTW, I recommend you put Still Alice on your TBR list.
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Those are the best kind of bookish finds, aren’t they Joyce? Wind in the Willows just gets better with age. I don’t think our girls read it either. I’ll have to make up for that with our grandkids.
Thank you. It is now officially on my list.
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As you know, this is a favorite of mine. This is also one of my favorite passages. Perhaps because I know exactly how mole feels. Once I am in a boat, I notice and enjoy all of the sensations. That’s is why I am not really very good at fishing. While Jim is concentrating on catching a fish, I am enjoying the birds, the sky, the sun on the water, the frogs, splashes, gurgles, turtles, etc., etc., etc.
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I am reading the copy you gave me for a birthday present in college, Janet. I have kept it safe and special all these years and consider it one of my treasures. This time, I am reading it a chapter a day, finding it most enjoyable out in the arbor, hoping the woodchuck will wander by for atmosphere. So far, just a toad has hopped by.
Ha! I can just imagine you enjoying all the etceteras! Just take care not to capsize the boat.
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I am glad you can still enjoy the book. I hope the toad isn’t looking for his motor car.
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I almost stepped on him, to which he gave me a very grumpy look, as toads sometimes do, then started eyeing Tom’s little red car. Fortunately, the keys were well hidden from Mr. Toad.
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The Wind in the Willows is in the air!! I love the synchronicity of it! Master Grahame must be smiling down at us from Heaven!! 🙂
He would love a garden and bees, wouldn’t he??
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Oh, I do believe he would, Deborah, and I’m sure he would appreciate your hives and garden and writing, as I do. Thanks again for the link back – and all this synchronicity. Isn’t it grand how a children’s book can effect so many for such a long span of years??
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I still remember the first time I read it. I was in college, majoring in English Literature, and I thought it was maybe the best book I’d ever read. I identified so much with Mr. Toad!! 🙂
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I first read it in college as well, Deborah. I think many of us can identify with Mr. Toad, though I tend to be a bit more like Mole. Isn’t it fun? I think that good children’s literature grows more meaningful as we age. What a Wind in the Willows June this is.
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[…] The River Bank […]
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Oh, just beautiful, Penny. Makes my heart full.
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Thank you, Kate.
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I came to it only as an adult when my own children read it. It still enjoyed it very much.
Re your comment: Collins’ book is one I will look out for. The Festival happens every year in early summer; make your plans accordingly. i’ll see you there.
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I think there is no age limit on books like Wind in the Willows, Friko.
I will most definitely keep that in mind, Friko. Hay-on-Wye has piqued my interest for a long while now. Good luck finding Sixpence House.
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Just hearing those words again makes me very dreamy. I can’t wait until the granddaughters are just a bit older and we can enjoy together the beautiful language. I may need to read it again, too…it’s been a very long time! 🙂 Debra
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Won’t that be such enchantingly wonderful fun, Debra? A chapter or two each time they visit and so much fun to read aloud. Do read it again. It is a richer read as time goes by.
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Dear Penny, thank you for sharing that lovely paragraph from “The Wind in the Willows.” The book is such a delight whether we are young or old. And I’ve always felt that it shows so clearly that all around us are worlds that elude us if we do not search low and high and in between. Peace.
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You’re welcome, Dee. Aren’t they wonderful words, and there are more, it seems, on each and every page. Such a wondrous thought of worlds that elude us and all that we are missing.
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This is so beautifully written. I’ve always thought “The Wind in the Willows” was cozy!
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A perfect description, Janet. It is cozy and keeping me company these hot summer days.
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I love this book and think of quotes from it so often as we spend so much of our time on the water and in swampy places . “There is nothing, absolutely nothing half so worthwhile as messing about with boats.” Ratty said that, but it could be my husband’s quote! . And it’s lovely to see the EA Shepherd illustration.
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Oh, that is a wonderfully Ratty quote, Sallie and to think of you in your travels and water adventures. It is a book for all ages, isn’t it?
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