Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm is an all-ages fable that unfolds through illustrations and aphorisms. It was written and illustrated by Charles Mackesy and is the sequel to The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse (2019). Originally published in 2025, the book is a collection of artistic depictions of a young boy and his three animal friends as they navigate the challenges of life together. It was a bestseller across the UK, Ireland, and the United States. The book does not have a traditional plot but rather explores themes of Self-Acceptance and Celebrating the Self, Healing Through Unconditional Friendship, and Optimism amid the Storm through visual art and brief dialogue.

This guide utilizes the 2025 Penguin Random House edition of the book.

Content Warning: The source materials and this guide include discussion of mental illness.

Plot Summary

Always Remember: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, the Horse and the Storm centers around the emotional journey of a small boy and the support he receives from his three loyal friends. The fox is quiet and a keen listener, while the mole loves to tell stories and remind the boy of life’s wonderful simplicities. The horse is strong and resilient, but even he has moments of vulnerability. Their journey is depicted through a series of images that sees them traveling through nature’s peaceful and stormy days.

As the friends begin their journey, they see a large storm in the distance. Despite this, they cross a river and pass through a forest. The boy struggles as they do, but his friends remind him to love himself. When they reach a dazzling view of a sunrise over snow, the mole urges the boy to celebrate each step forward as a victory. The friends afterward find themselves back among trees, but the landscape is beautiful, and as the sun sets, the boy and mole speculate about the taste of snow. The mole reminds the boy to live for today and enjoy the now, while the horse worries that one day he may not have all the answers. Meanwhile, the fox teaches the importance of listening and constancy. 

As a storm approaches, the horse tries to encourage the boy by reminding him that he is loved and that bad weather passes. However, the boy becomes increasingly discouraged and eventually sits down as his friends continue on. A weasel comes to feed his doubts and suggests that the boy is unloved, but the boy begins to challenge those thoughts. He learns to be his own friend and recognize his worth. He is then reunited with the fox, mole, and horse. In a moment of transformation, the horse reveals wings and carries the boy above the storm into clear skies. When the storm passes, a rainbow appears as a sign of hope and renewal.

By the end, the friends reflect on how far they have come. The boy admits that he feels messy inside, and the mole reassures him that everyone does. They realize that hope often shines brightest in difficult times, and that love, both for oneself and for others, requires courage. Together, they continue their journey, grateful for one another.