Toad splashed his arms in the water.
The water was flowing fast.
He held his head above the waves.
"I'm in the river!" he cried.
The waves turned him over.
"Oh my!" Toad yelled. "Help!"
His head went under.
He swallowed a gulp of water.
Toad's head popped up again.
He coughed.
"I'll never steal another car!" cried Toad.
"I'll never sing another song!"
Under the water he went again.
"Oh dear," he said with a splash.
His head popped up once more.
"I'll never tell another lie!" he cried.
Toad grabbed the reeds on the bank.
But the reeds broke off in his hands.
In the riverbank ahead was a round hole.
"Maybe I can grab onto it," said Toad.
"Here it comes!" cried Toad.
The waves carried him closer.
Now the dark opening was just above him.
Toad reached for the edge of the hole.
"I made it!" said Toad, holding on.
He was only halfway out of the water.
"I'll catch my breath here," he said.
Two bright eyes shone out of the hole.
"What's that?" said Toad.
Then a small brown face appeared.
It was Rat!