"The Wind in the Willows" is a classic children's novel written by Kenneth Grahame. The story follows the adventures of four animal friends: Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad, who live in the English countryside. Mole and Rat introduce Toad to the joys of the river, but Toad's reckless behavior soon leads to trouble. After Toad steals a car and is sent to prison, his friends work to help him escape and turn his life around. The novel explores themes of friendship, adventure, and the importance of finding balance in life.