Molecular Theory

The definitive Smiley

If I were to tell you this post is about a mole from Czechoslovakia, you'd probably say I was talking about Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, the John LeCarre novel turned into a masterly BBC miniseries with Alec Guiness and now a forthcoming feature film. And, in a sense, you'd be right.

Except that the mole in question is Krtek, the animated cartoon character created by Zdenek Miler, who died this past week. Created by Miller in Prague in 1956, Krtek went on to cult status throughout Europe, Asia, and Japan, though not in the USA. Krtetek (Czech for "mole") is a clever fellow who lives underground but pops up to get himself in and out of scrapes with his friends, a mouse, a rabbit, and... well, I'm not sure what the other guy is.

Life in Czecho

Why a mole? Miler's answer was that Walt Disney had created animated versions of every other animal besides the mole. A bit superficial (get it)? I think so too. Think about it. Czechoslovakia in 1956, the year of the Soviet crackdown on Hungary and 12 years before the Prague Spring. A free spirit, living under ground? Are you with me?

There is a fine Krtek, in which he teaches himself to drive, with predictable consequences, and you can watch it here. But I prefer "Krtek and the Metro." Krtko laughs a lot but doesn't usually say much; however, you can learn a little Czech from him in this episode: "Pomoc" (Help!) and "Tam" (There).

Happy as I am for the little guy, Krtek's success is bittersweet. I can only imagine what might have happened for Cardvark had he been in better hands than the MTA.