# Colin — Short Fiction character guide > Colin in Short Fiction by George MacDonald. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dear Colin, V The Moss Vineyard Colin, papa Colin, little Colin **First appearance:** 0035-v-the-moss-vineyard ## Snapshot A small boy of the Moss Vineyard whose tenderness toward the vulnerable makes him both an easy target and an unlikely hero. ## Who they are Colin grows up among rural labor and rough company, where gentleness is read as weakness and his size invites mockery. What he lacks in force he supplies in stubborn affection, especially toward those even more defenseless than himself. His refusal to harden becomes the story's quiet argument that kindness, persisted in, is a form of strength. ## In the story ### [Cross Purposes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/cross-purposes) A central figure in the chapter, whose actions are driven by personal motives that clash with others. ### [The Broken Swords](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-broken-swords) The young ensign, introspective and sensitive, leaves home for war, struggles with the morality of killing, and later enlists as a private soldier seeking redemption. ### [I: The Mountain Stream](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/i-the-mountain-stream) The protagonist, a resourceful and imaginative boy who reroutes the stream through his home. ### [II: The Fairy Fleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/ii-the-fairy-fleet) Colin is the human boy who bargains with the Fairy Queen for the stolen little girl, but is tricked into a new quest for Carasoyn. ### [III: The Old Woman and Her Hen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/iii-the-old-woman-and-her-hen) Seeks the Carasoyn and visits the blind old woman for guidance. ### [IV: The Goblin Blacksmith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/iv-the-goblin-blacksmith) Works three days and nights at the goblin smithy, hammering in sync with the smith; grows stronger from the labor and receives instructions for making Carasoyn. ### [V: The Moss Vineyard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/v-the-moss-vineyard) Protagonist who follows the smith's instructions, spends three days on the moss, harvests grapes, returns home, and later worries about the lost little girl. ### [VI: The Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/vi-the-consequences) Bargains with the Fairy Queen, holds fast through transformations, and later marries the girl he rescued. ### [VI: The Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/vi-the-consequences) Skeptical of Colin's story about the gipsies, but later supports Colin's marriage. ### [VII: The Banished Fairies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/vii-the-banished-fairies) Colin is the one who succeeded in procuring the Carasoyn for the fairy queen, leading to the banishment of the fairies. ### [VIII: Their Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/viii-their-revenge) Colin and his wife have settled in the farmhouse; he is the father of the three children and suspects fairy involvement in his son's disappearance. ### [The Fairy Fiddler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/ix-the-fairy-fiddler) Father of the missing child, wakes to witness the fairy dance and taunting song. ### [The Old Woman and Her Hen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/x-the-old-woman-and-her-hen) Seeks the old woman to rescue his child from the fairies; loses himself on the moor and finds her hut. ### [The Goblin Cobbler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xi-the-goblin-cobbler) Wanders the moor in desperation, encounters the goblin cobblers, and receives a lump of wax and an awl from them. ### [The Wax and the Awl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xii-the-wax-and-the-awl) The father who uses cobbler's tools to rescue his stolen child from the fairies. ### [The Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-castle) The eldest brother, stately and stern, who is bound and imprisoned by his siblings for his guidance, but later freed and becomes more loving and reverend. ### [The Gifts of the Child Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-gifts-of-the-child-christ) A character involved in the Christmas narrative, possibly a father figure or a child receiving blessings. ### [The Golden Key](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-golden-key) The boy who seeks the golden key; he is the nephew of the great-aunt and ventures into Fairyland. ### [The Gray Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-gray-wolf) The young English student who seeks shelter and encounters the wolf-woman. ### [The History of Photogen and Nycteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/the-history-of-photogen-and-nycteris) Mentioned as part of the title's reference to a 'Day and Night Märchen' but not directly featured in excerpts. ### [Something Quite New](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xiii-something-quite-new) Referred to as Photogen; terrified by the night, he seeks solace in Nycteris's presence. ### [XIV: The Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xiv-the-sun) Referred to as Photogen; sleeps through the night, then awakens with arrogance, dismisses Nycteris's fear, and leaves to hunt in the sunlight. ### [XVI: An Evil Nurse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xvi-an-evil-nurse) Referred to as Photogen; he is ill, tormented by Watho, and resolves to escape. He reflects on the girl who nursed him and regrets his past behavior. ### [Refuge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xviii-refuge) Referred to as Photogen; he is fearful of darkness but gains strength at dawn, carrying Nycteris. ### [All Is Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/xx-all-is-well) Referred to as Photogen; he kills Watho and marries Nycteris, then learns to love the night. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters/colin - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_21_se/characters