Mr. toads Adventure By Kenneth Grahame | Short Summary | Question-Answers | Video Explanation.
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Mr. Toad’s Adventure is an excerpt adapted from " The Wind in the Willows " published in 1908. This story revolves around the adventures of four characters; Rat, Mole, Badger and Mr. Toad of Toad Hall. Grahame used to make up these fantastical bedtime stories for his son Alastair. During his lifetime Grahame wanted to wander here and there. This can also be seen in this story as Mr. toad has the greatest desire of having adventures here and there.
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# Characters in the Story :
# Mr. Toad : He is the main character of the story. he loved driving cars and had a passion for driving. He was known as ‘Mr. Toad the terror, the traffic-quiller, the Lord of the lone trail. Mr. Toad seems to lack common sense, as he doesn’t think twice before stealing a car. He is so overcome by his passion for cars that he doesn’t follow any traffic rules and behaves arrogantly with the police. Mr. Toad fails to understand the gravity of his crime and there is a lack of seriousness in his actions. He seems to look at things casually.
# Chubby Cop : Catches Mr. Toad red handed over-speeding, drags him to the court of law and ensures he is punished.
# Mr. Clerk : The judge who announces the punishment for Mr. Toad. He is a little harsh in announcing the punishment for Mr. Toad’s crime.
# Gaoler : The jailer stationed outside Mr. Toad’s cell.
# Short Summary :
Mr. Toad has the greatest desire of having adventures but this desire lands him in deep trouble. Finally, after stealing a car he drove so fast, not even knowing where he was going. He was living his hour, reckless of what might come to him. He increased his pace, even more, when he heard the police siren. He thought he might escape, but he was caught at the next turn of the road. The police put him in the jail for twenty years. Mr. Toad was a helpless prisoner. He went through the thumb-screw room and finally reached the remotest dungeon. He was handed over to the jailer who put him inside the cell.
# Chapter Explanation :
One bright summer morning, after reaching a little town, Mr. Toad decided to order the best luncheon in a restaurant as he was really hungry after his long brisk walk. He was halfway through his meal when he heard a notable sound which made him anxious. The poop poop! drew nearer and nearer. After sometime some people entered the coffee room, hungry, talkative and all in praise of the car in which they had come. Mr. Toad after waiting for some time, was unable to control himself. He slipped out of the room and sauntered (to walk in a relaxed manner) round quietly to the inn yard. He ended up inspecting the car.
He found himself seated in the driver’s seat holding the handle of the car. As he heard the familiar sound of the car, he was completely taken over by his old passion. Pulling the lever he started driving the car. He seemed to be driving senselessly, without knowing where he was going. He was overpowered by the memories of his good old days. He considered himself to be the Lord of the lone trail (king of the street). He was enjoying himself without being worried about the consequences. He didn't even reduce his speed after hearing the police siren and soon was caught by a chubby cop who asked him for his license.
After being stopped by the police officer, he disrespected him by denying to show his license. The police officer arrested him and charged him for stealing a car, driving dangerously and cheeking (disrespecting) the police. Found guilty by the Clerk (member of court of law) Mr. Toad was punished with the most severe penalty of serving 20 years in prison.
He was chained and dragged from the court house by the minions of the law (policemen). He was taken through the midst of the marketplace where the people humiliated and shamed him. After that horrid experience, he was handed over by the sergeant of police to the Gaoler (a person in charge of a jail). Mr. Toad finally became one of the prisoners in the remotest dungeon of the best-guarded prison all over England.
# Word - Meanings :
- Inn - restaurant
- Sauntered - to walk in a relaxed manner
- Lord of the lone trail - king of the street
- Smitten - severely affected
- Stern - serious
- Cheeking - disrespecting someone
- Tot up - add numbers to calculate
- Minion of the law - policemen
- Hapless - unfortunate
- Grim - unpleasant
- Men-at-arms - soldiers
- Gaoler - jailer
- Vile - morally bad
- Artfulness - cunning
- Ward - guard
- Remotest dungeon - an underground prison in a castle far away
- Stoutest - strong
# Question / Answers :
Q. What was Mr. Toad doing when he heard the sound of car ?
Q. Describe Mr. Toad's adventure after he picked the car from the inn yard till he was caught.
Q. How did Mr. Toad behave when he was caught by the traffic police ?
Q. Do you think the penalty meted out to Mr. Toad was justified?
Q. Do you think Mr. toad was a thief ? Explain your answer.
Q. Explain how Mr. Toad's 'adventure' turns into 'misadventure' ?
Q. Analyse the character of Mr. Toad. Give suitable examples.
Q. Who was Mr. Clerk ? What was his opinion on the crime committed by Mr. Toad ?
Q. Describe the journey of Mr. Toad from the Court House to the dungeon where he was imprisoned.
Q. Why do you think Mr. Toad was consumed by the desire to drive the vehicle despite knowing that it didn't belongs to him ?
- Answers -
- SELF EVALUATION TEST -
This is a quiz based test which is consist of 20 Multiple Choice Questions to test your Understanding about this Chapter...
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CLASS 6 LITERATURE
