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The Wind in the Willows Day
Mar 8
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
“Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing.”
~ The Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame, 1908
Believe it or not, Spring is on its way! This lively jig for two couples is perfect for beginners, with advancing/retiring, promenades, and rights-and-left figures. Named for Kenneth Grahame’s beloved tale, this childhood story weaves a charming narrative of friendship, adventure, with the ever-changing rhythms of nature. Through the eyes of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and the irrepressible Mr. Toad, readers are drawn into a world where life’s simplest pleasures—a peaceful boat ride, a fireside gathering, or a thrilling motorcar chase—hold the deepest meaning. With gentle humor and poignant reflections on loyalty, home, and the unseen mysteries of the world, Grahame’s timeless story invites readers to return again and again.
Kenneth Grahame originally created The Wind in the Willows as bedtime stories for his son, Alastair, and expanded on them in letters while away on holiday. Though the book initially received mixed reviews, it found an unexpected champion in Winnie-the-Pooh author A.A. Milne, who adored the tale and later adapted parts of it into the beloved stage play Toad of Toad Hall in 1929, ensuring its place as a children's classic. 📗 🐀 🐸 🦡 🚗 💛
The Wind in the Willows
Kenneth Grahame (1859–1932) was a Scottish author, best known for his classic children's book, "The Wind in the Willows." Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Grahame faced a challenging childhood after his mother's death and his father's subsequent inability to care for him and his siblings. They were sent to live with their grandmother in Berkshire, where Grahame developed a love for the English countryside, a passion that would later deeply influence his writing.
Grahame's early career was in banking, where he worked for the Bank of England, rising to the position of Secretary. Despite his success in banking, Grahame's heart was in writing. He published several collections of short stories, including "Pagan Papers" and "The Golden Age," which reflected his observations of childhood and nostalgia for a vanished rural England.
"The Wind in the Willows," published in 1908, was Grahame's most famous work, blending his love for nature with themes of friendship, adventure, and home. The book was initially met with mixed reviews but has since become a beloved classic of children's literature, celebrated for its rich characterizations, whimsical narrative, and philosophical reflections.
Throughout his life, Grahame was a private man, shying away from the limelight his literary success could have brought him. After retiring from the Bank of England, he lived a quiet life until his death in 1932. Grahame's legacy endures through "The Wind in the Willows" and its impact on the genre of children's literature, offering a tender escape into the pastoral beauty of the English countryside and the adventures of its unforgettable characters.
For more on Grahame's life, clicl the plaque marking his residence below.
And to see an animation of the dance, scroll down to the video.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
