Lucien Morel is a young boy who lives in the Swiss Alpine village of Rossinière alongside his mother and older sister. His family is of modest means, renting their home, and his sister Marie must work in a nearby town to help support them. Lucien has known Annette Burnier since early childhood, and the two are close friends and classmates. He is portrayed as a boy of about seven years of age, with short red hair and blue eyes. In the classroom, Lucien struggles with his studies and often feels frustrated by his poor grades, especially in contrast to Annette’s academic success. This jealousy manifests in occasional outbursts of resentment, such as when he deliberately refuses to help Annette after she falls into a snow ditch. His temper also leads him to lash out impulsively, a trait that has serious consequences when he angrily strikes the pet ermine belonging to Annette’s younger brother, Dani, an act that indirectly causes Dani to fall from a cliff and become severely injured.

This accident becomes the turning point in Lucien’s life. Overwhelmed by guilt, he must confront the damage he has caused not only to Dani’s health but also to his friendship with Annette, who struggles to forgive him. Lucien’s motivation shifts from petty rivalry to a deep desire for redemption. He makes a solemn vow to help Dani recover, and throughout the series he undertakes a journey of personal growth, learning to take responsibility for his actions and to prove his worth to Annette and the rest of the village. His development is central to the story; he undergoes more change than the titular character, moving from a troubled, envious boy into a more mature, compassionate individual capable of great determination and sacrifice. Notable moments in his arc include crossing a snowstorm to seek help, working to arrange Dani’s medical treatment, and eventually reconciling with Annette. While Lucien has no special powers or skills, his resilience and growing sense of duty become his defining strengths. His relationships with Annette and with Dani are the emotional core of his journey, and by the end of the series he emerges as a person who has learned the value of honesty, courage, and friendship.