The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Book review by Emily Koski, Certified Life Coach Practitioner

How many of your clients long to deepen their relationships? What clients are finding their sense of hope diminish? Who is trying to muster the courage to be brave? The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse is an excellent book review by @Emily Koski to source powerful questions to use with clients.

Emily relishes how Mackesy's book brings the reader right smack inside conversations between unusual characters, a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse. Together the characters explore the much-needed ingredients for love, hope, friendship and courage. Emily draws her own conclusions of the life lessons that are highlighted throughout Mackesy's book. She believes Mackey's book is one you will want to share with your clients, especially the one who are searching for inspiration and hope.

Reviewer: Emily Koski, Certified Life Coach Practitioner

Book Title: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse

Author: Charlie Mackesy

Key Points:

Three of the key points in this sweet, sweet story are:

- Friendship: If we surround ourselves with friendship and put ourselves out there to be loved, it will be there.

- Love: Love is what we are all yearning for. And it the story is a reminder to be kind to ourselves and others and love ourselves.

- Simplicity: This story simplifies our worries, fears, thoughts, imagination all around ourselves and each other.

Favorite Passage:

“One of our greatest freedoms is how we react to things”

- This passage comes right after the Mole and the Fox meet and after talking about what we would do if people were less afraid. At their meeting, the Fox says he could eat him, but he is caught in a snare. The Mole knows if the Fox stays in the trap, the Fox will die. So he chews the rope and sets the Fox free. The fox is so grateful he draws a heart with his footprints for the Mole.

- The way they both reacted was their choice. Since the Mole chose not to be afraid, he could set the Fox free. And the fox could have eaten the Mole but instead sends him a thank you note.

- Really thinking about how we own our reactions is so powerful. We OWN them, and it is really one of the only things no one else does or can. We have the power and freedom to treat and be present the way we want. I think this image could be powerful for so many.

Application to coaching:

This wonderful sweet story has so many pieces to offer. When fear rises in us, this book would be wonderful to share. When self-doubt rises, this book would be wonderful to share. When feeling out of control, this is a wonderful book to share.

And I love all the questions… In a session, you could ask a few of these same questions and spend time thinking and going over their responses. And then digging deeper to each of those answers with more questions. The book itself could be a tool to use as a starting point or to have someone read before a session. Perhaps ask which question jumped out at them first or what question would they like to answer for themselves today.