[arrives in through the roof] I'm here maties! I'm coming!
Your powers of deduction are admirable, Badger.
Bet you never thought you'd see me again, eh, maties? [Owl turns back]
We were ssso ssaddened you sssnuffed it.
Where haven't I been more like. Taken away against my will, weren't I? Captivated I were and took off in a jam jar. But all the time I were away, I kept saying myself Toad, you must get, home. It was the thought that you lot kept me going.
Must get back to my maties I kept thinking. Must get back to my...
MolePond?
Speaking of which, um, I'm afraid.
There's some rather bad news, Toad.
Mole
It's your p-p-po-p-p-pond, Toad. You see?
You see, Toad, you have to understand there have been a great many changes. [Toad gets up] While you've been away...
Gone completely I'm afraid.
And the newts' puddle? [He sees the newts sob together] And the stream?
Just a muddy trickle now, which is why we've called this assembly, Toad.
If we ever get to hold this meeting.
You see, we've got to face facts, old son. As a community, we're all but finished here. Man and his machines have seen to that.
[angrily pounding his fists] Don't talk to me about those machines! I know all about them!
In fact, it must be obvious to everyone here that...
...If we don't find a new watering hole within the next few days...
...Then we are going to be in the very worst kind of distress. If you know what I mean. [the animals look worried]
Mole
Could we try... digging water?
In earth as dry as a biscuit? Don't be silly, Mole.
I knows the place that we could go to.
It's a great little place, a wonderful place.
Poor old Toad. Obviously rambling poor fella.
Purpose-built for animals like us.
Mole
Was it really, Toad?
They calls it 'White Deer Park', Moley.
Mole
White Deer?
Mole
Is it really?
It's a place where all wild creatures are protected by humans.
If such a place existed, I would know about it.
Mole
Did you come upon this Deer White place on your travels, Toad?
Mole
Deer White Park, eh?
Never heard of either of them.
Well, I know it well and nowhere's better I reckon.
Well, Fox? What do you think?
Humm, quite. Then White Deer Park it is, everyone.
Hu-hu-hu-hu-hu-hu-hu-hur!
EEveryone
[Weasel claps her paws] Hooray!
Mole
Go away.
Moley, everyone's waiting for you!
Mole
Don't stop, Badger. I'm not going. They could plead and plead with me, but I made up my mind, I'm not going.
Mole
[crying] Because... because... it wouldn't be fair on the rest of you. [weeps]
Nonsense, Mole! We couldn't leave without you!
Mole
I'd only hold you up because I'm so little, and... and...
Mole
Slow.
Mole
And... tasteless... [sobs]
Ah, Adder. You know better than to listen to her. We all took the oath of mutual protection. and that means... it means, um... I'll look after you, Moley.
Mole
[emerges from the ground] All the way?
All the way. It wouldn't be the same without you, Mole.
Mole
Honest?
Honest, Moley. You're coming with me. Leave you behind, indeed.
Mole
[relieved] Oh, Badger.
Mole
[About riding on Badger] I feel so guilty riding along like this, while everyone else is so tired and I'm not helping at all.
You're more help where you are than you would be on the ground, Moley.
Mole
I could keep up, now that you've all slowed down!
I'd swap places with Mole any time.
What would you hold on with? Your teeth?
I'd be pleased to steal a ride on you... Weasel!
Traveled too far yesterday, Fox.
Too fast for us small animals, too slow for you.
Hmm, true, Toad. It's very uncomfortable for us larger animals.
Mole
Oh dear, it's all my fault. Oh, oh, I'm sorry, Badger.
I didn't mean you were making me uncomfortable, Moley. Go on, eat your worms. It's alright.
[Mole goes back underground.]
You're right, Badger. We can't slow our pace any further. What are we going to do?
I know! What Adder needs is a sting in the tail! [laughs] That'll make her move!
I'll give you a sting in the tail!
[Weasel screams and runs off.]
Some weasels never learn.
Well, I'm afraid we'd better be going. I'd like to get to the other side of the marsh before night. Goodbye, newts, and good luck.
NMr. Newt
[waving] Thank you for everything, Fox.
Goodbye. Moley? Where have you gone now?
Mole
Here I am.
[picks Mole up] It's time to go!
Mole
But you said I could look for worms.
One day, Moley, you'll be so fat you'll get stuck down one of your own tunnels!
Mole
[burps] Oh, pardon.
Well, at least we're all back together now.
Mole
[tearful] But we're not. Where are the Newts?
[comforting] Don't ask. There's a good chap. Up you come now.
[Badger places Mole on top of his head]
Come on, everybody! Let's get out of here! And whatever happens, now we're together, let's stick together!
[A massive piece of drift wood heads towards Fox and the Rabbits.]
Mole
Badger, that massive debris! It's going to hit Fox and the Rabbits, and it will kill them!
[after noticing] Oh no! Quickly, my friends! They're in danger! We must save them!
[Badger, Toad, Mole and Mrs. Fieldmouse dive into the river.]
Each of you must rescue a rabbit. I'll take care of Fox.
[A chain link fence is blocking their way to the quarry]
It's alright Badger, we can all hop through! Oh... see what you mean, I'd forgotten how big you all were.
That toad is ssso astute.
Mole
Would it help if I tunneled underneath?
Moley, what would we do without you?
Die of thirst, I should think!
[Kestrel has informed the animals of a motorway up ahead]
When there is no way forward, the only way is back.
[A hunting horn is heard in the distance back from where they came]
The hunt! We can't go back!
Yes we could. You're just being selfish.
HOW DARE YOU! After all Fox has done for us! Why he could have stayed with Vixen and left us to our fate, but he came back didn't he? And why? Because we animals stick together.
Mole
Hooray!
Kestrel, can you see them?
They're coming this way! I think they're on your scent!
Can we vote on it please?
Sometimes fear of one evil overcomes the fear of another.
In other words, let's scarper!
[The animals are waiting for the birds and the foxes to come back with food from the town.]
If Whistler doesn't get back soon, I'll eat... [eying mole]
Mole
The Oath!
I'd eat that if it was on four legs, or even two!
Mole
Did you say "Badger"?
Are you the mole from Farthing Wood? Ah... then you are his friend. He sent me with a message; he was injured somehow but now he's quite safe in the warden's lodge.
Mole
Oh thank you. Thank you!
He'll be there till he's better. Alright?
Mole
Alright?!? It's wonderful! (he sobs)
I thought you liked the badger.
Mole
I do. I do!
Then why are you crying? I just told you. He's alright!
Mole
That's why I'm crying!
Mole
You're part of the oath now Cat! From now on, we'll look after you!
I've already sampled your precious oath, thank you very much.
May I offer my apologies. So embarassing!
(Hisses) Not to me she didn't. Ouch!
I know. Don't say it. You mean well too (!).
The Animals of Farthing Wood · 294 quotes
