Lessons and Quotes from “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”

This amazing book has brought me joy, made me smile, and warmed my heart during tough times. It also taught me many wonderful life lessons, which is why I want to share it with a wider audience.

Quick summary

Charlie Mackesy’s warm-hearted adventure is about a lost boy and three fellow animal friends. The boys, a mole, a fox, and a horse, share truths about life as they search for a home. However, the boy learns that ‘home’ isn’t a physical place and that we are here to love and be loved.

The four characters of the story —

The Boy — The boy is curious. He feels homesick and a bit lost.

The Fox — The fox has been hurt by life.

The horse — The horse is gentle, kind, and full of wisdom.

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

Here are some of the lessons and quotes that really spoke to me and have become my all-time favorites.

Self-love

• “What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said? asked the boy.
  ‘Help,’ said the horse. ‘Asking for help isn’t giving up,’ said the horse. ‘It’s refusing to give up.”
• “Sometimes I worry you’ll all realise I’m ordinary,” said the boy.
  “Love doesn’t need you to be extraordinary.” said the mole.”
• “What do you think success is?” asked the boy.
  “To love,” said the mole.”
• “I’m so small,” said the mole. “Yes,” said the boy, “but you make a huge difference.”

Kindness

• “What do you want to be when you grow up?” “Kind,” said the boy.”
• “We often wait for kindness…but being kind to yourself can start now.”
• “Nothing beats kindness,’ said the horse. ‘It sits quietly beyond all things.”

Grateful and appreciative

• “Is your glass half empty or half full?” asked the mole. “I think I’m grateful to have a glass,” said the boy.”
• “Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.”

Reflection

• “Isn’t it odd. We only see our outsides, but nearly everything happens on the inside.”
• “When the big things feel out of control focus on what you love right under your nose.”
• “Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.”
• “One of our greatest freedom is how we react to things.”
• “What’s your best discovery?’ asked the mole. ‘That I’m enough as I am.’ said the boy.”

Friendship

• “What do we do when our hearts hurt?” asked the boy.
  “We wrap them with friendship, shared tears and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again.”
• “To be honest, I often feel I have nothing interesting to say,” said the fox.“Being honest is always interesting,” said the horse.”

Home isn’t always a place, is it?

I hope the words in this post bring you a feeling of love and warmth, just as they do for me. If you enjoyed reading it, please show your support by clicking clap 👏🏼 button below a few times.