Mr. Toad is the heart of Grahame's tale. Without the chapter, it would be impossible for Kenneth Grahame to share his book's purpose - to capture the love of both children and grown-ups for its clever morale. Let us examine how Grahame wove the event in which, led by Mr. Badger, Rat and Mole visited their friend Toad “on their mission of mercy”.

The company of three marched to Toad's dwelling, then upon the order of Mr. Badger, Rat and Mole seized Toad who was then clad in a mischievous but clowny motor-outfit. Rat and Mole took him inside and the defiant Toad was stripped off his pretentious overcoat, cap, and goggles.

Enough of the proud Mr. Toad squandering joy rides - that was the Mr. Toad "mission of mercy" in “The Wind in the Willows.” Toady had been ignoring the counsel of his friends. He had been out spending the rest of his father's money, going out on a rampaging joy ride, and getting into all sorts of trouble. And worst of all, Toad liked his new adventure. He wanted it.

Such was the central theme given out by Grahame throughout “The Wind in the Willows”- that whenever a decently creature like Mr. Toad tries to fit into a different setting - a new environment or a new garb other than the one he is perfectly accustomed to, then he is getting himself into the worst kind of danger.

Sensible brutes of nature could get themselves all tangled as they get torn between the grown-up love of security - of what is right and safe, and on the other hand the child-like love of adventure - the challenging and exciting. This was Toad's dilemma in “The Wind in the Willows.” It's as if a luring wind tempts Mr. Toad to go out on an adventure every time he tries to contentedly sip his coffee. - the reason why the childish Toady disregarded all the warnings that his friends had given him when Badger, Rat, and Mole only wanted to stop their friend from making a fool of himself and giving creatures like them such a bad name. But then Mr. Toad seemed oblivious and caught up to his new-found bliss...

Oh a child should love Toady for this! - a fantastic creature who cares only of being carefree - pure fun exploration with no laws, without all sense of cold maturity, and delighting of nothing else but a dreamy world in the eyes of a child. Only with the exception that Toady, or some other nicely beasts like him “The Wind in the Willows” wanting an out-of-the-ordinary quest - would soon be sure to get into all sorts of danger, confused emotion, trouble, then reprimand, punishment, and eventual regret.

'Don't go out into the woods,' "listen to me when I"m talking' - says Mom to her little boy - this - a child is reminded while reading Grahame's story about a mature Badger disciplining a youngling Mr. Toady. Those who would read the book will discover we all are either children or adults (which is why “The Wind in the Willows” is such a classic for kids and grownups as well).

Grahame finally instructs in “The Wind in the Willows” to keep put - for human beings and animals alike perform best when not behaving so unlike their usual selves, definitely not over and beyond what is expected off them. - All creatures do best in an environment they are used to. Our friends will stay on our side through thick and thin, but we have to be sensible, to bear with them and learn to listen. For even when they are lecturing, friends are supporting us. Remember the best of friends always want the best for their team.
Reference: Grahame, Kenneth. “The Wind in the Willows.” New York: Bantam, 1982.