Toad, Badger and others in “The Wood in Danger”

[arrives in through the roof] I'm here maties! I'm coming!

Toad!

Your powers of deduction are admirable, Badger.

Ha-ha, same old Owlie!

Same old Toad.

Bet you never thought you'd see me again, eh, maties? [Owl turns back]

We were ssso ssaddened you sssnuffed it.

But where have you been?

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.

Fancy.

Must get back to my maties I kept thinking. Must get back to my...

Pond?

Exactly.

Speaking of which, um, I'm afraid.

What?

There's some rather bad news, Toad.

It's your p-p-po-p-p-pond, Toad. You see?

It's been filled in.

What?! [faints]

You see, Toad, you have to understand there have been a great many changes. [Toad gets up] While you've been away...

But my pond!

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.

[bursts into tears] Oh!

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]

Could we try... digging water?

In earth as dry as a biscuit? Don't be silly, Mole.