The green parrot who repeats everything — with improvements.

The gentle elephant king — slow to anger, quick to share mangoes.

The courtyard cat who owns every charpai she naps on.

The tiny sparrow queen of every courtyard story ever told.

Carries everyone's load and one grudge about it.

Eats homework professionally; consults on gardens without invitation.

The tiger who guards the village gate and the samosa stall equally.

Three plans for everything, an alibi for two of them.

Arrives late to everything except conclusions.

The rooster who believes the sun rises because he asks it to.

Queen of the pond, keeper of everything the river hears.

Attends every garden party; RSVP unnecessary, exit unannounced.

The firefly who never learned that lanterns are supposed to stay still.

Looks down on everyone — architecturally, not personally.

Knows every hole in every wall and every wedding menu in advance.

Wisest at midnight, unavailable before noon.