# Otter — The Wind in the Willows character guide

> Otter in The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Otter, old Otter

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-river-bank

## Snapshot

Confident river-dweller and devoted father whose easy presence rounds out the riverbank's close-knit community of friends.

## Who they are

Otter is one of the riverbank's established regulars, at home in the water and comfortable among Rat and Mole's circle. His identity is bound up with his son Portly, and his quiet paternal watchfulness contrasts with Toad's restless self-absorption. He matters as part of the texture of riverbank life—the network of neighbors whose ordinary contentment makes Toad's disruptions feel genuinely disruptive.

## Relationships

### [Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/mole)

_friendship_

Mole and Otter are warm, playful friends who enjoy each other's company during riverside gatherings and adventures.

### [Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/badger)

_friendship_

Badger and Otter are friendly acquaintances, united by their shared circle of riverbank friends and mutual respect.

### [Portly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/portly)

_family_

Otter is Portly's devoted and worried father, deeply protective of his young son.

### [Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/mole)

_friendship_

Mole and Otter are warm, playful friends who enjoy each other's company during riverside gatherings and adventures.

### [Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/mole)

_friendship_

Mole and Otter are warm, playful friends who enjoy each other's company during riverside gatherings and adventures.

### [Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/badger)

_friendship_

Badger and Otter are friendly acquaintances, united by their shared circle of riverbank friends and mutual respect.

### [Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/badger)

_friendship_

Badger and Otter are friendly acquaintances, united by their shared circle of riverbank friends and mutual respect.

## In the story

### [The River Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/i-the-river-bank)

Chats with Rat about Toad's instability, then suddenly dives into the river.

### [Mr. Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/iv-mr-badger)

Arrives at Badger's after searching for Rat and Mole, shares news from the River Bank.

### [The Piper at the Gates of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/vii-the-piper-at-the-gates-of-dawn)

Otter is deeply anxious about his missing son Portly and keeps a nightly vigil at the ford where he taught Portly to swim.

### [Wayfarers All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/ix-wayfarers-all)

Mentioned as having visited earlier in the day, but not directly present in the chapter's main events.

### [Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xi-like-summer-tempests-came-his-tears)

Disguised himself as a sweep to gather information about the weasels' banquet.

### [The Return of Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xii-the-return-of-ulysses)

Attends the banquet and tries to celebrate Toad, but is snubbed by Toad's feigned modesty.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/otter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters