Absoluem (Caterpillar) wasn't mean. He actually helped Alice and told her what to do; and his help was actually more helpful than the Cheshire Cat whom just got her in worse trouble. If anything he's the only on that made any goddamn sense. He just corrected her lessons such as as the Little Crocodile, You Are Old Father William, the Busy Bee, etc..(Off of the book)
In the cartoon: Absoluem was still the only one that actually helped her.
Tim Burton movie: Wasnt mean at all. Just wise. Not nearly Alice was probably the meanest thing he said, but meaning that she wasn't herself.