There are two books everyone should read at least once in their lives, and the book “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy is one of those. I found it during a period of change for me, and it has remained to be one of my favorite books of all time.

I was studying at Des Moines Area Community College when I came across this book in their campus store. At this point, I had heard of it, but had never read it; so, I found myself making the best impulsive purchase of my life.

The book itself is a straightforward read and takes about 10 minutes to get through. It is structured as a children’s picture book, but is meant for everyone; the author said it himself. I would classify the read as a philosophical book consisting of deep quotes and discussions between the characters on each page.

When reading this book, my advice would be to keep an open mind and think about the story’s content. While the story is vague and lacks much of a plot, it has a way of touching the reader in profound ways. If you let yourself reflect on what the book is trying to tell you, everyone can take an idea away from it.

Such a profound, philosophical story has to come from someone who has expertise in these kinds of topics, right? Surely, the author would be a therapist or a philosophy major. Mackesy, however, is simply an artist living in England. He has done illustrative work all over the world, from Africa to the United States. At the end of the day, however, Macksey is a typical guy you would pass by on the street and not give a second thought about.

This fits with what I took away from this book: everyone you meet has something important to contribute. What they contribute may not affect you personally, but this doesn’t mean they are not valuable. The plot and the characters in the book reflect this idea.

As the title suggests, the main characters of the book are a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse. Each of them has their own personality: the boy is curious and kind, the mole is optimistic and obsessed with cake, the fox is quiet and shy and the horse is stoic yet wise and kindhearted. 

They all share their own wisdom with one another throughout the book, as well as their strengths and fears. By traveling together and becoming good friends, they learn to be vulnerable with one another.

My favorite quote reads:

“‘What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?’ asked the boy.

‘Help,’ said the horse.”

When I read this quote for the first time, it changed my life. As I was reading, I allowed myself to be vulnerable and keep an open mindset. In the book, a strange and unlikely group became friends, which  showed me how opening up to others can change my life for the better.

Society teaches us to be stoic and not allow anyone to get the better of us. While there is wisdom in that, it’s important not to build our walls too high. When we need help, we should ask for it, whether it’s for an assignment from a professor, a teammate on a game strategy or a friend we need to lean on. Being vulnerable with yourself and others will help you, because in the end, we all need someone to rely on. Hopefully someday, you can return the favor as well.

I will leave you with my second favorite quote:

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