Saturday, March 24, 2018

What did Winnie NOT talk to the toad about?

Without a specific chapter reference, a reader can only guess as to which "conversation" with the toad the question is asking about. In general, you could claim that Winnie doesn't talk to the toad about a lot of things. Her first conversation with the toad happens in chapter 3, and Winnie doesn't talk about her name, her education background, or her friends (or lack of friends). What she does talk about is how tired she is of her family being extremely overprotective. She feels tied down and wants to do something grand and adventurous. She tells the toad that running away might be a good solution. She tells the toad to wait until morning, and then she'll show it just how serious she is about running away. Winnie doesn't share where she plans to run away to.
At the end of the book, Winnie sees the toad again, and she protects it from a dog. Winnie does not explain her adventure with the Tucks, nor does she explain to the toad why she is confined to the yard. Winnie does not explain how she got the bottle of water, nor does she explain what the water will do exactly. All that Winnie tells the toad is that it will now be safe forever.

"There!" she said. "You're safe. Forever."

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