Early in Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows, the Mole spots a Water Rat peeping out of the far bank of the river. The Rat cordially invites Mole for a row on the water, to the Mole’s mingled yearning and consternation; but without a word the Rat at once draws up a little boat and brings it alongside.

The Mole steps gingerly into the boat, and off they go, Rat pulling on the oars, and Mole thinking it the best day of his life. Rat can scarcely believe that this is Mole’s first river trip, and is so carried away by his raptures on rowing that Mole has to warn him of danger ahead.

115 words