Conceited Toad, conceited....me

Well, for book group this week we chose to read "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame. It's wonderful little children's book written in the early 20th century with 4 main characters: Mole, Rat, Toad, and Badger. It follows these animals through the different seasons of the year and their adventures together. One of the main points of conflict in the book is around the character Toad. Toad loves new things. He's an animal with plenty of time on his hands and plenty of money to spare. One day he sees a "motorcar" and is instantly enamored - even though it almost kills him. This addiction ends up landing him in prison after he steals one. Many people feel sorry for him and he ends up escaping and getting away. However, he never seems to be able to remember who it was that actually helped him out of his travails. After escaping from prison, he runs into many people and accidents that seem to work out in his favor. One such is that he steals a horse and runs across a gypsy who is very willing to deal with him. Toad comes off 6 shillings richer and starts singing this absolutely funny (in context), yet horrific song. Some of the lines go like this: "The world has held great Heroes, as history books have showed [sic]; but never a name to go down to fame compared with that of Toad! The clever men at Oxford know all that there is to be knowed [sic]. But But they none of them know one half as much as intelligent Mr. Toad!." Now let me put this in context: Toad has just barely escaped from the police. He manages to then get thrown off of a barge. The song is complete rubbish. It honestly reminded me of two things. One thing that stood out to me was the stark contrast between this song and the song of Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15: "I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea." It also reminded me of Nebuchadnezzar. He had been warned by God to not be proud of his kingdom. However, one day on the battlements he starts to think what a great king he is and how magnificent a kingdom he has built for himself. God instantly turns him crazy for seven years until he learns to worship the True King. Lastly, before I start to sound too self-righteous, it reminds me of myself. How many times have I forgotten God, or just paid God lipservice without meaning it, and gave all the credit to myself? I'm sure it's more then can ever be counted. All praise be to God, who alone is worthy of all worship!