Summary of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Quick Summary

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a graphic novel that tells the story of a boy who discovers three new animal friends as he journeys through the countryside on a spring day. Accompanied by exquisite artwork, the novel explores some of the important stuff of life: self-acceptance, courage, friendship, love. Mackesy describes the book as “a small graphic novel of images with conversation, over landscape.”

First published in October 2019, by the end of 2020, more than two million copies had been sold. It has been translated into more than 17 languages, and it remains on international best-seller lists more than three years after publication.

The Boy

The boy is inquisitive. He feels homesick and a bit lost.

One of my favourite lines is this…

Q. Have you ever been worried for people to discover who you really are?

Faith Perspective: The greatest discovery in life is to be fully-known and fully-loved. Jesus is the only one who can make that happen for you. With the love of God, you don’t have to feel extraordinary. You are totally known and totally loved – already!

Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear. (Gaudium et Spes 22)

The Mole

The mole is small, enthusiastic, and seems to eat cake to feel better about himself.

Q. Have you ever eaten a slice of cake to cheer yourself up?

The mole’s decision to free the fox shows he is courageous and loving. Eventually, he learns that love is even better than cake!

One of my favourite lines is this…

Faith Perspective: Jesus wants us to realize that our greatest desire in life – even more than cake! – is to love and to be loved. The simple & lasting joy of a hug from someone you loves you proves this to be true. In the Eucharist, Jesus hugs your heart. Allow Him to love you.

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22)

The Fox

The fox has been hurt by life. Caught in a snare, the fox is angry and warns the mole hat he would eat him if he weren’t caught in the snare. The mole’s decision to chew through the wire to free the fox is a conversion moment for the fox.

Q. Have you ever been hurt or frightened?

The fox later returns the favour by saving the mole from drowning.

One of my favourite lines is this…

The horse brings healing to the fox with two great lines here. 1st – it’s lovely just that the fox is with them. And being honest – even if that means you have nothing interesting to say – is always interesting, always valuable.

Faith perspective: Your first calling is just to be loved by God – just to be with Jesus and allow Him to love you. You are always interesting to Jesus. He delights in the simple fact that you want to be with Him.

 He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ And he appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to proclaim the message, ¹⁵ and to have authority to cast out demons. (Mark 3:13-15)

The Horse

The horse is gentle, kind, and full of wisdom. One of my favourite lines is this…

Q. Have you ever considered asking for help to be an act of bravery?

Later, the horse admits to the boy that he can fly, but he stopped because it made the other horses jealous. The boy tells the horse that they love him even if he cannot fly. Even as the boy is speaking, pictures show wings growing on the horse’s back. The boy rides the horse as it flies.

Q. Have you ever hid your talents from others?

Faith Perspective: Jesus has given you special gifts and talents. He loves to see those come fully alive. He loves to see you fully alive! Don’t be afraid.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)