# Mole — The Wind in the Willows character guide > Mole in The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Mole, Moly, Poor Mole **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-river-bank ## Snapshot Gentle, newly emerged creature whose hunger for the world above makes him the reader's wide-eyed companion through riverbank life. ## Who they are Mole has just left his underground home for the riverbank, and everything—boats, picnics, the canary-colored cart—strikes him as thrilling and new. His loyalty to Rat wars with his susceptibility to Toad's glowing descriptions of the open road, and he is played upon like a harp without quite realizing it. His fresh wonder gives the story its emotional entry point, making the riverbank's pleasures and perils feel discovered rather than merely observed. ## Relationships ### [Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/badger) _friendship_ Badger is a wise and protective friend to Mole, offering shelter and guidance, especially during Mole's early adventures. ### [Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/otter) _friendship_ Mole and Otter are warm, playful friends who enjoy each other's company during riverside gatherings and adventures. ### [Portly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/portly) _friendship_ Mole is a kind and caring friend to Portly, the young otter, helping to rescue him when he gets lost. ### [Chief Weasel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/chief_weasel) _rivalry_ Chief Weasel is an enemy to Mole, as Mole participates in the retaking of Toad Hall from the weasels. ### [Billy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/billy) _friendship_ Billy and Mole are friendly acquaintances, part of the larger circle of riverbank animals. ### [Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/badger) _friendship_ Badger is a wise and protective friend to Mole, offering shelter and guidance, especially during Mole's early adventures. ### [Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/badger) _friendship_ Badger is a wise and protective friend to Mole, offering shelter and guidance, especially during Mole's early adventures. ### [Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/otter) _friendship_ Mole and Otter are warm, playful friends who enjoy each other's company during riverside gatherings and adventures. ### [Otter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/otter) _friendship_ Mole and Otter are warm, playful friends who enjoy each other's company during riverside gatherings and adventures. ### [Portly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/portly) _friendship_ Mole is a kind and caring friend to Portly, the young otter, helping to rescue him when he gets lost. ### [Chief Weasel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/chief_weasel) _rivalry_ Chief Weasel is an enemy to Mole, as Mole participates in the retaking of Toad Hall from the weasels. ## In the story ### [The River Bank](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/i-the-river-bank) Abandons spring-cleaning, discovers the river, meets Rat, and capsizes the boat while trying to row. ### [Mr. Badger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/iv-mr-badger) Finds comfort in Badger's underground home, feels at home due to his own nature. ### [Dulce Domum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/v-dulce-domum) Returns to his home, Mole End, initially despondent but ultimately finds joy and contentment in his familiar surroundings. ### [Mr. Toad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/vi-mr-toad) Helps remove Toad's clothes and supports the intervention; mildly criticizes Rat for being duped. ### [The Piper at the Gates of Dawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/vii-the-piper-at-the-gates-of-dawn) Mole waits for Rat's return, then joins the search for Portly, rowing the boat and experiencing the awe of the divine presence. ### [Toad’s Adventures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/viii-toad-s-adventures) Mentioned fondly by Toad as 'sensible Mole' during his lament. ### [Wayfarers All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/ix-wayfarers-all) Senses Rat's distress, physically stops him from leaving, and gently guides him back to normalcy through conversation and encouragement to write poetry. ### [X: The Further Adventures of Toad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/x-the-further-adventures-of-toad) Not directly present in this chapter; Toad's adventures are solitary. ### [Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xi-like-summer-tempests-came-his-tears) Disguises himself as a washerwoman to spy on the stoats at Toad Hall, cleverly spreading disinformation that causes panic among the enemy. ### [The Return of Ulysses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/chapters/xii-the-return-of-ulysses) Sits in the blue boudoir filling out plain invitation cards, contributing to the banquet arrangements. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters/mole - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wind_in_the_willows_se/characters