The sheep stood together in their pen (a small area with a fence). It was a cold winter day. They moved their feet and breathed into the frosty air. Mole and Water Rat walked past them. The two animals were happy. They talked and laughed together. They were returning home after a long day with their friend, Otter. They were in the high fields where the small streams began. The sun was going down. It was almost night, and they had a long way to walk. They walked across the fields and found a path. This path felt right to them. It felt like the way home.
"I think a village is near," Mole said. He walked more slowly. The track became a path and then a small lane. Soon, they were on a hard road. Mole and Water Rat did not usually like villages. They liked to stay away from people and houses.
"Do not worry," Water Rat said. "It is winter. Everyone is inside their houses now. They are sitting near their fires. We can walk through the village quickly. We can look through the windows and see the people."
It was mid-December. Night came quickly as they reached the village. There was a little snow on the ground. They walked quietly on their soft feet. They saw orange light from the cottage windows. Most windows did not have blinds. Mole and Water Rat looked inside. They saw families eating tea. They saw people talking and laughing. They saw a cat and a sleepy child. The two animals felt a little sad. They were far from their own homes.
They looked at one small window with a white blind. They saw the shadow of a bird-cage. They saw a small bird sleeping. The bird woke up and yawned. Then the bird went back to sleep. A cold wind hit Mole and Water Rat. Their toes were cold and their legs were tired. Their home was still far away.
They walked past the village and saw the fields again. They began the last part of their journey. They walked steadily and silently. Mole thought about supper. It was very dark now. Mole did not know this part of the country. He followed Water Rat. Water Rat walked in front. Water Rat looked at the grey road. He did not see Mole stop suddenly.
Animals have very strong senses. We use the word "smell," but for animals, it is more than that. A smell can be a call or a warning. Suddenly, a smell reached Mole in the darkness. It was a very familiar smell. Mole stopped. He moved his nose to find the smell again. Then he remembered.
Home! The smell was a call from his old home! It was very near. Mole left his home a long time ago. He lived on the river now. He had many new experiences there. But now he remembered his old house. It was small and poorly furnished, but it was his. He was happy there after a day's work. His home was calling to him through his nose. It wanted him to come back.
"Water Rat!" Mole called happily. "Stop! Come back! I want you, quick!"
"Oh, come along, Mole!" Water Rat replied. He continued walking.
"Please stop, Water Rat!" Mole cried. "You do not understand! It is my home! I can smell it. It is very close. I must go to it! Please come back!"
Water Rat was far ahead. He did not hear the pain in Mole's voice. Water Rat was worried about the weather. He could smell snow in the air.
"Mole, we cannot stop now!" Water Rat called back. "We can come back tomorrow. But now it is late. The snow is coming. I need your nose to find the way home!" Water Rat did not wait for an answer.
Mole stood alone on the road. He was very sad. But Mole was a loyal friend. He did not want to leave Water Rat. The smell of his home called to him again. It was like magic. But Mole turned away from the smell. He followed Water Rat. He felt very unhappy.
Mole caught up with Water Rat. Water Rat talked cheerfully. He talked about a fire and a big supper. He did not notice that Mole was silent. Finally, they reached some old trees. "Mole, you look very tired," Water Rat said. "Your feet are heavy. Let’s sit here for a minute. The snow is not falling now."
Mole sat down on a tree-stump. He tried to be strong, but he could not. He began to cry. He cried very hard and very loudly. He felt he had lost his home forever.
Water Rat was very surprised. He did not speak for a while. Then he spoke quietly. "What is the matter, old friend? Tell me your trouble."
Mole tried to speak between his sobs. "I know it is a small, dusty place," Mole said. "It is not like your house or Toad Hall. But it was my home. I was fond of it. Then I smelled it on the road. I called you, but you did not listen. I wanted to see it! My heart is breaking. We could have looked at it for one minute. But you would not turn back!"
Mole began to cry again. Water Rat looked at the road. He felt very bad. "I am a pig!" Water Rat said. "I am a very selfish animal!"
Water Rat waited until Mole was more quiet. Then Water Rat stood up. "Well, we should go now!" Water Rat said. He began to walk back the way they came.
"Where are you going, Water Rat?" Mole asked.
"We are going to find your home," Water Rat replied. "I will need your nose to find it."
"Oh, come back, Water Rat!" Mole cried. He ran after his friend. "It is too late and too dark. Think of the River Bank! Think of your supper!"
"I do not care about supper!" Water Rat said. "I want to find your house. Take my arm, Mole. We will find it together."
Water Rat talked and told stories to make Mole happy. Finally, they reached the place on the road. "Now, no more talking," Water Rat said. "Use your nose, Mole."
Mole stood still. His nose moved in the air. Then he ran forward. He stopped, moved back, and then walked forward again. Water Rat followed him. Mole crossed a ditch and went through a hedge. He walked across a trackless field.
Suddenly, Mole dived into a hole. Water Rat followed him down a tunnel. It was a long, dark passage. Finally, it ended. Mole struck a match. They were in a small area with a sandy floor. They saw a small door. There was a sign over the door. It said "Mole End" (the name of Mole's house).
Mole took a lantern from the wall and lit it. They were in a small yard. There was a garden seat and a roller for the grass. Mole liked to keep his house tidy. There were pictures on the walls and a small pond for gold-fish. In the middle of the pond, there was a large silver ball.
Mole looked at his old things and was happy. But then he saw the dust. The house looked cold and empty. Mole sat down on a chair and cried again. "Oh, Water Rat!" Mole said. "Why did I bring you here? This is a poor, cold place. You could be at the River Bank near a fire."
Water Rat did not listen to Mole. He ran into every room. He lit lamps and candles everywhere. "This is a wonderful house!" Water Rat called out. "It is very well planned. We will have a great night. First, we need a fire. I will find some wood. You get a duster, Mole. We must clean the house!"
Mole started to clean. Water Rat brought wood and started a big fire. The fire was bright and warm. But then Mole felt sad again. "Water Rat," he said. "I have no food for you. I have nothing!"
"Do not give up!" Water Rat said. "I saw a tin-opener in the kitchen. That means there is food here. Let’s look together."
They looked in every cupboard and drawer. They found a tin of sardines (small fish in a tin). They found a box of biscuits and a sausage.
"This is a feast!" Water Rat said. He began to set the table.
"But we have no bread or butter," Mole said.
"We have everything we need!" Water Rat laughed. He found a small door. It led to the cellar (a cold room under the house for food and drinks). Water Rat came back with four bottles of beer. "You are a very lucky animal, Mole. This is a great place. Tell me about these pictures on the wall."
Water Rat prepared the table. Mole told him stories about his home. Mole told him how he saved money to buy his things. Mole became very happy. He showed Water Rat all his favorite objects. Water Rat was very hungry, but he listened kindly.
Suddenly, they heard sounds outside. They heard small feet and tiny voices. "Clear your throats!" a voice said. "Where is young Bill?"
"What is that?" Water Rat asked.
"It is the field-mice," Mole said proudly. "They come to sing carols (Christmas songs) every year. They always come to my house last. I used to give them hot drinks and supper."
Water Rat ran to the door and opened it. It was a beautiful sight. Ten small field-mice stood in a circle. They wore red scarves and their eyes were bright. One mouse held a lantern. "One, two, three!" he said. Then the mice began to sing a Christmas song.
The song was about the winter and the snow. It was about Joseph and Mary and a stable. It was about the animals who saw the baby. The voices were very sweet. When the song finished, it was very quiet. Then they heard the sound of distant church bells.
"Very well sung!" Water Rat cried. "Come inside and get warm!"
The mice came into the house. Mole was happy to see them. But then he looked at Water Rat. "Water Rat!" Mole whispered. "We have no food for them!"
"Do not worry," Water Rat said. He called the mouse with the lantern. Water Rat talked to the mouse. He gave the mouse some money. "Go to the shop quickly," Water Rat said. "Buy the best food you can find." The mouse took a basket and ran away.
The other mice sat near the fire. They warmed their feet. Mole talked to them about their families. Water Rat opened the beer and made it hot with sugar and spices. Every mouse had a small drink. They felt warm and happy.
The mouse with the lantern returned with a big basket of food. There was plenty of food for everyone. They all sat at the table and ate a big supper. They talked about the village and the neighbors. Water Rat made sure everyone had enough to eat.
Finally, the mice went home. They had food in their pockets for their brothers and sisters. Mole and Water Rat sat near the fire and talked about their day. Then Water Rat yawned. "I am very sleepy, Mole," Water Rat said. "I will sleep in this bunk (a small bed built into the wall)."
Water Rat climbed into the bunk and fell asleep immediately. Mole went to his own bed. He looked at his old room in the firelight. He saw his friendly, familiar things. He was very happy. He knew his house was small and simple. But he knew it was important to have a home. He still loved his new life on the river. He wanted to go back to the sun and the air. But he was happy to have this place. It was his own place. Mole closed his eyes and fell asleep.