When Mole first meets Ratty, in The Wind in the Willows, Ratty takes him out on the river. He stows a picnic hamper in the boat and Mole, curious, asks what’s inside it. Ratty replies,
There’s cold chicken inside it … coldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssaladfranchrollscressandwichespottedmeatgingerbeerlemonadesodawater –
Oh, stop, stop, Mole cries. It is too much. Ratty is worried. ‘Do you really think so?’ he asks. It is what he usually takes for lunch out on the river.
This story was written over one hudred years ago so maybe the picnic is a bit different. What would be in your picnic, barbecue, party tea, afternoon snack … ? Make your list. If you like, let it all run together, as Ratty’s words do.
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