The Boy and the Animals
The major characters are alluded to in the book's title: "a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse." Images of protagonists are included throughout the illustrations. The animals are personified; thus, they can discourse with the boy. Mackesy's writing approach suggests that characters are a representation of humanity. Accordingly, reading through the book, readers are expected to see a reflection of themselves in the animals with unique strengths and weaknesses.
The Horse
Although the horse is the largest of the four protagonists, he is not rough or bullish. Mackesy writes, "The horse is the biggest thing they have ever encountered, and also the gentlest." Bigness does not necessarily come with aggression or roughness. The horse's mildness makes him fit in the company of the other characters with relatively smaller bodies.
The Boy's Kindness towards the Mole
The boy places the mole on a branch of a tree. After that, the boy climbs to the tree, where he converses with the mole. The boy understands that the mole needs aid to get to the branch. He does not despise or bully the mole due to his small size. He starts practicing the kindness he aspires to uphold as a grown-up.
