01 & 02

PaulEberhardt on May 2, 2024

Meet Maura the Mole…

I don't know any more what exactly gave me the idea for this story. Suffice to say that the first couplet suddenly popped up and I started from there. I improvised a bit on it, as if these verses were song lyrics, and when a story emerged I seized it and structured the whole thing from start to finish. Only when I had a complete poem, the Ballad of Maura if you will, did I start drawing, refining it again to match the visual gags I came up with in the process.

Page two took some small inspirational vibes from how my grandfather used to try and get out the mole from under his lawn with a water hose. One of our cats would sit in front of another molehill, watching it closely, and make short work of anything that'd stick its nose out. In fact, he was already very good at this on his own, so Grandpa's assistance wasn't strictly needed.
While I can't say I really approve of it, I can't help but smile at the memory of that peculiar scene. Also, this is long ago now, and Grandpa and cat have gone to the eternal hunting grounds since. God bless them both!

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Print versions of Maura the Mole are still available.

If you happen to live in Germany, the easiest, fastest and cheapest way is to order it at your local bookstore:
● ISBN 978 3 945130-03-2

Everywhere else used to be more difficult for a long time, for various reasons, but I found out how to ship books internationally at a reasonable price and put up a batch for worldwide sale on eBay:
● https://www.ebay.de/itm/135021872688
(This has the additional perk that I'll sign your copy if you add a note to your purchase, asking me to.)
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There is also a Plattdütsch version called Mieke Mullworp which can be bought through the same channels at the same conditions:
● ISBN 978 3 945130-13-1
● https://www.ebay.de/itm/135021951259