The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy is one of my favorite books. The brilliant book is now an Oscar-winning short film. I want to reread the quotes from the book to feed my soul and find the light in my dark days, so I’m sharing them here.

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.

What do you think is the biggest waste of time?"
“Comparing yourself to others”, said the mole.

What do you want to be when you grow up?"
“Kind”, said the boy.

Is your glass half empty or half full?" asked the mole.
“I think I’m grateful to have a glass,” said the boy.

Do you have any other advice?" asked the boy.
“Don’t measure how valuable you are by the way you are treated,” said the horse.

One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things.

We often wait for kindness…but being kind to yourself can start now.

The greatest illusion," said the mole, “is that life should be perfect.

Always remember you matter, you’re important and you are loved, and you bring to this world things no one else can.

When things get difficult remember who you are.’
‘Who am I?’ asked the boy
‘You are loved’ said the horse.

We have such a long way to go”, sighed the boy
“Yes, but look how far we’ve come”, said the horse.

Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid.

Home isn’t always a place is it?

Nothing beats kindness,’ said the horse. ‘It sits quietly beyond all things.

Sometimes I think you believe in me more than I do," said the boy
“You’ll catch up,” said the horse.

Doing nothing with friends is never doing nothing, is it?’ asked the boy.
‘No,’ said the mole.

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.”

When the big things feel out of control, focus on what you love right under your nose.

What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy.
“Help”, said the horse.

What’s your best discovery?" asked the mole.
“That I’m enough as I am,” said the boy.

So you know all about me?’ asked the boy.
‘Yes.’ said the horse.
‘And you still love me?’
‘We love you all the more.

Sometimes I worry you’ll all realise I’m ordinary," said the boy.
“Love doesn’t need you to be extraordinary.” said the mole.

When the dark clouds come…
…keep going.

Don’t measure how valuable you are by the way you are treated.

this storm will pass.

Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.

Thank you Charlie for this wonderful book.