The apricot-colored cat who supervises every kitchen in the alley.

A camel with opinions about everything, especially shortcuts.

Finishes everyone's sentences and races. Usually correctly.

The souq monkey with a stall of things that fell off other stalls.

The eloquent rooster — dawn announcements with full grammar.

The mare who dances at weddings and gallops from goodbyes.

Grace of the desert; gossip of the oasis.

The honey-loving bear cub — diplomacy by hug.

Mouse of the grand bazaar; landlord of forty crumbs.

The pearl-diver's friend who critiques every pearl.

Butterfly of the courtyard jasmine — attendance mandatory, punctuality never.

Sees everything from the minaret; comments on most of it.

One ant, ten thousand sisters, zero missed deadlines.

The loyal saluki who guards the alley and escorts every grandmother home.