wind in the willlows

its an english children's story about a toad, badger, rat, mole and a gang of weasels. the animals in the story have both characteristics of the animal and human. its quite a slow start to the story but once the reader gets deeper into the whole plot the pace quickens.
Rat and Mole meet and become friends. they take an adventurous ride down steam when they come across Toad hall. this is when they meet Mr. Toad who's very sporadic, egocentric character who's life is for filled with fads and mischief (the two are often linked). Toads obsessions lead the group into many adventures all to operate a motorcar.
the friends seek help from badger (who is basically the wise old man of the story) because toad has got himself into some bother due to is careless attitude. mole and rat feel as if they almost have to protect toad from himself through out the whole story.  even a word from the wise badger didn't change toads mind. to save toad the trio decide that he needs to be kept under arrest. mole then steals a car and crashes it. he is then sentenced to a 20 year prison sentence. he escapes form prison with great help from the jailers daughter.
due to toads arrest, toad hall has been broken into and taken over by the gang of weasels who have set out to vandalise and abuse the hall. toad heroically saves the day by taking back the hall and casting out the gang of weasels. he then apologises to the trio and they live happily ever after.