Independence is all very well, but we animals never allow our friends to make fools of themselves beyond a certain limit; and that limit you’ve reached.
I’ve written a few posts on friendship and loyalty over the years. Count this as just another one such.
Anyone who’s ever read the book (those of you who have not may find it freely online here) will know that this totally rational observation must have come from Badger, the reality/sanity baseline in TWITW. Eschewing Mole’s frightened emotionalism, and Ratty’s blind loyalty, Badger generally sees things as they are and acts accordingly. He is kind but firm. Loyal but truthful. Helpful but honest. And a friend to what is–in the story–the not-so-bitter end.
Lord, it’s difficult. Toad is incorrigible. Alternately braggadocios and humble. Concerned and oblivious. Sympathetic and cruel. Not much of a friend at all, if being a friend means that you’re there for others when they need you, and not for the moment, or if it means that you’re not a “target of opportunity,” or that the other isn’t there for whatever is “in it for him.”
Finally, Badger–who realizes that worshiping Toad’s eccentricities, and sycophantically endorsing his idiosyncrasies hasn’t helped–has had enough. None of it has improved Toad’s behavior or caused him to treat others with more consideration than before. In fact, such toadying (see what I did there) behavior on the part of Toad’s “friends” has just made things worse.
So Badger delivers the truth bomb.
I can’t think of a more valuable service one friend can give to another. And I have nothing but contempt for those who stand by, driveling, drooling, and enabling dysfunctional and aberrant behavior, while they watch their “friend” self-destruct either IRL or (increasingly) online.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life. Watching my friends disintegrate in public while not doing everything I possibly could to stop the unfolding disaster, even while others seem interested only in pouring gasoline on the flames, has never been one of them.
I’m good with that.
The Badger said, “Now then, follow me!”
Here’s to real, Badgerly, friendship, hard as the objects may find it, and difficult as it sometimes may be.
