The long, hot summer had ended at last. Now it was winter. Mole was still staying with Ratty, on the River Bank.
One cold afternoon, the Mole decided to go to the Wild Wood, and visit Mr Badger. He was the only one of Rat's friends that the Mole had not met properly, as he was not very sociable. In the winter most animals stay at home and rest, after an active summer. Some of them go to sleep for most of the time, and you cannot persuade them to do very much.
So Mole knew that if he wanted to see Mr. Badger, he would have to call on him.
He slipped out of Ratty's warm parlor into the open air. The sky was steely. The countryside was bare. Twigs crackled under Mole's feet. Trees took on ugly, crouching shapes. The light faded. Mole began to feel frightened.