I was sat in the verandah at Toad Hall. My legs were outstretched with my feet resting on the seat of another chair. In truth, I was admiring my new white thong sandals with the sparkly bits on the top – they glittered so brilliantly in the afternoon sunshine.

“What do you think of my new shoes?” I asked Toad.

“It’s a pity we don’t have snow in Queensland,” he said without even a hint of a smile (rather like a miserable toad).

“Why’s that?” I returned, not guessing at his answer but anticipating a funny remark.

“Well, they are snow-shoes – aren’t they?” Toad broke into a broad beam.

Dear old Toad. He meant no harm. In fact, he simply wanted to try on my new sparkly shoes!