The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children literature by British writer Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932), first published in 1908. The novel is notable for its mixture of adventure, morality, and camaraderie.
The four main characters in the novel, Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad, are talking animals who live in and around a river. Though they all have their faults, these characters are idealized in many ways. There are numerous examples of hospitality, forgiveness, compassion, generosity, and humility. And Toad remains one of the most celebrated and beloved characters of the book.