A small bird sang a thin song near the river bank. It was past ten o’clock at night. The sky still had a little light from the day. The air was becoming cool after a very hot afternoon. Mole lay on the grass near the water. He was waiting for his friend, Water Rat, to return.
Water Rat was visiting their friend, Otter. Mole went back to their house earlier. The house was dark and empty. Mole decided to wait outside on the cool leaves. He thought about the pleasant day. Soon, he heard Water Rat walking over the dry grass.
Water Rat sat down. He looked at the river and was very quiet. “Did you stay for supper?” Mole asked. Water Rat said that he did. He said that Otter and his family were very kind. But Water Rat felt sad because Otter was in trouble.
“Little Portly is missing again,” Water Rat said. Little Portly was the young son of Otter. Otter loved his son very much. Mole was not worried at first. He knew that Little Portly often wandered away. The child was very adventurous. Usually, another animal found him and brought him home.
“This time is different,” Water Rat said seriously. “Little Portly is missing for several days. Otter looked everywhere but found nothing. He asked all the animals for miles around. No one saw the child. Otter is very worried.”
Water Rat said that Little Portly could not swim well yet. Otter was worried about the weir (a low wall built across a river to control the water). There was a lot of water in the river. Otter was also worried about animal traps. Water Rat said that Otter was waiting at the old ford (a shallow place in a river where animals can walk across).
Otter taught Little Portly to swim at that ford. Little Portly caught his first fish there. The child loved that spot. Otter hoped that Little Portly would come back to that place. So, Otter stayed there every night. He watched and waited all night.
Mole and Water Rat were silent. They thought about poor Otter alone in the dark. “We should go to bed,” Water Rat said. But he did not move. Mole said that he could not sleep. He wanted to help.
“Let’s take the boat,” Mole suggested. “The moon will rise soon. We can search for the child. It is better than doing nothing.” Water Rat agreed. He said the sun would rise soon, and they could ask other animals for news.
They put the boat in the water. Water Rat moved the boat with the oars. The night was dark, but they heard many small noises. They heard the sounds of many small animals busy in the night. The water made splashing noises against the boat.
The moon rose slowly into the sky. Everything became bright and silver. They saw the meadows and the gardens clearly. The river looked beautiful in the moonlight. They tied the boat to a tree and searched the banks. They looked in holes and ditches. Then they got back in the boat and moved further up the river.
The moon went down and it became dark again. Then the sky began to change. The sun was coming. A bird sang once and then was quiet. Water Rat sat up suddenly. He listened very carefully. He looked very excited.
“The sound is gone!” Water Rat whispered. He said the sound was beautiful and strange. He said he wanted to hear it forever. Then he heard it again. He sat very still. He was listening to piping (music made by blowing into a small pipe).
“I hear a happy call,” Water Rat said. “It is the most beautiful music. We must row toward it!” Mole did not hear any music. He only heard the wind in the plants near the water. But he obeyed Water Rat and rowed the boat.
They moved into a small part of the river. The light was growing stronger. Now they could see the colors of the flowers. “Now you must hear it!” Water Rat cried. Suddenly, Mole heard the music too. It was a joyful sound. Mole saw tears on Water Rat’s face. Mole understood that the music was special.
Mole rowed the boat again. The light was strong now, but the birds were silent. Everything was very still except for the music. They saw green grass and bright roses. They heard the sound of the weir. They were nearing the end of their journey.
They saw a small island in the middle of the river. It was covered in trees and bushes. It was a very private place. Slowly and quietly, the two animals landed on the island. They walked through the flowers to a small, green lawn.
“This is the place from the music,” Water Rat whispered. “We will find Him here.” Suddenly, Mole felt a great awe (a feeling of great respect and a little fear). He was not afraid, but he felt very peaceful. He knew a great person was very near.
Mole looked up at the sky as the sun began to rise. He saw a great figure. It was the Friend and Helper of small animals. He saw the figure’s horns and kind eyes. He saw the figure’s strong arms and the musical pipes. Then he saw something else.
Little Portly was sleeping between the feet of the figure. The baby otter was safe and content. Mole and Water Rat bowed their heads to the ground. They felt great love. Then the sun rose fully, and the vision vanished. The air was full of the songs of birds.
A soft wind blew in their faces. Suddenly, the two animals forgot what they saw. This was a gift from the Friend and Helper. He wanted them to forget the vision. He did not want the memory to make them feel strange or sad later. He wanted them to be happy.
Mole rubbed his eyes. He looked at Water Rat. Water Rat looked confused. “I think we will find him here,” Water Rat said. Then he saw the child. “Look! There he is!” Water Rat ran to Little Portly.
Mole stood still for a moment. He felt like he just woke up from a beautiful dream. He tried to remember the dream, but he could not. He felt a little sad, but then he followed Water Rat.
Little Portly woke up and was very happy to see his friends. But then he looked around and seemed lost. He searched the island for someone. He looked in every corner. Finally, he sat down and began to cry. Mole comforted him. Water Rat looked at some marks on the ground.
“A great animal was here,” Water Rat said quietly. He thought about it, but he could not remember clearly. “Come, Water Rat!” Mole called. “We must go to Otter!”
They put Little Portly in the boat. They rowed down the river. The sun was hot now. The birds sang loudly. They reached the place where Otter was waiting. Mole moved the boat to the bank. They put Little Portly on the path.
Little Portly walked along the path. Suddenly, he ran forward and made happy noises. Otter saw his son and barked with joy. He was very happy. Mole and Water Rat turned the boat and moved away. Their work was finished.
“I feel very tired, Rat,” Mole said. “I feel like something exciting happened, but I don’t know what it was.” Water Rat agreed. He said he felt the same way. He lay back and closed his eyes.
“Listen to the wind in the reeds,” Water Rat said. “It sounds like music. It sounds like words.” Water Rat whispered the words he heard. The words said that animals should forget the Helper's power so they can stay happy.
“What do the words mean?” Mole asked. Water Rat said he did not know. He just repeated what he heard. Then the music in the wind died away. Mole waited for Water Rat to say more. But Water Rat did not answer. He was fast asleep with a happy smile.