Classic Stories: The Wind in the Willows
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Hello, I'm Robin Ince. And I'm Brian Cox. And we would like to tell you about the new series of The Infinite Monkey Cage. We're going to have a planet off. Jupiter versus Saturn! It's very well done that, because in the script it does say wrestling voice. After all of that, it's going to kind of chill out a bit and talk about ice. And also in this series, we're discussing history of music, recording with Brian Eno, and looking at nature's shapes. So, listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Hello, my name's Tim. Today's story involves a circle of animal friends whose adventures in the English countryside teach them the true meaning of friendship. Although each is very different in character, the animals have lots of fun together. Any idea who they might be? Let's find out.

We begin one warm spring day. The last of the snow has melted and Mr Mole emerges from the safety of his burrow into the sun for the first time. Young and full of curiosity, Mole explores the riverbank and meets an older river dweller, Mr Rat, who invites him to go boating. Messing about in the river, Rat and Mole see something flash past. Who could that be?

Boastful and full of wind, it's Mr Toad, racing along in his latest toy, a fast wooden rowboat. "'He always sails close to the wind,' cautions Rat about the vein Mr Toad, but Mole seems very impressed indeed. That summer, Mole and Rat get wind of the news that Toad has bought a colourful new wagon.'

They decide to swim upstream to Toad Hall for a ride. Toad drives his new wagon like the wind, but disaster strikes as a speeding motor car bumps them off the road. Winding rat, and starting in Toad a sudden obsession for a motor car of his own. Slowly, autumn turns to winter as the wind blows the leaves from the trees.

Experienced in the ways of the world, Rat warns Mole about the weasels and other dangers lurking in the wild wood. This really puts the wind up Mole, but also makes him more curious than ever about what lies beyond the riverbank. Throwing caution to the wind, Mole sets out alone. However, it soon starts to snow and he becomes hopelessly lost.

Worried for his friend, Rat comes to the rescue, finding Mole hiding in a tree and leading him to the safety of Badger's house, where they are fed and cared for by wise old Mr. Badger. "'Change is in the wind,' warns Badger, telling them that the weasels of the wild wood are preparing to attack Toad Hall. "'Springtime rolls around again, and Toad's obsession with motor cars is worse than ever,'

Badger, Mole and Rat try locking Toad in his room, but he escapes and steals a motor car, which he then crashes, ending up in jail. Disguised as a washerwoman, Toad escapes jail, but, chased by the police, he falls into the river and floats downstream to be rescued by Rat. Toad cries at the news that the weasels, armed with guns, have taken over his home. Music

He realises that this disaster was the result of his boasting and obsession with motor cars and begs his friends for help. Mole cleverly tricks his way into Toad Hall and together Rat, Badger and Toad defeat the cunning weasels, sending them scurrying back to the woods. We leave our animal friends with the wind in their sails. Rat has had lots of fun and rescued his friends from danger.

Mole has learned the ways of the riverbank. And even Mr Toad, although still an old windbag, is a little less boastful than before. I hope you'll join me again soon for another classic story. But for now, it's goodbye. Hello, I'm Robin Ince. And I'm Brian Cox. And we would like to tell you about the new series of The Infinite Monkey Cage. We're going to have a planet off. Jupiter! Jupiter!

versus Saturn! It was very well done, that, because in the script it does say wrestling voice. After all of that, it's going to kind of chill out a bit and talk about ice. And also in this series we're discussing history of music, recording with Brian Eno, and looking at nature's shapes. So, listen wherever you get your podcasts.