Lenny is a four-year-old Parsee girl who wears a brace on her right leg after contracting polio as an infant. Because of her physical condition, she does not attend regular school and instead spends her days accompanying her nursemaid on walks. Highly observant and intelligent, she frequently uses her physical disability to elicit sympathy and secure special treatment from the adults around her.

Ayah is an eighteen-year-old Hindu woman who works as the nursemaid for Lenny and Adi. She possesses striking beauty and takes her attractiveness entirely for granted. During her daily trips to the park, she attracts a diverse group of admirers from various religious and social backgrounds, cheerfully managing their competing attentions.

The Ice-Candy-Man is a charismatic Muslim street vendor who changes his occupation with the seasons, transitioning from selling ice treats in the summer to selling birds in the winter. He wears flashy scarves, smells heavily of jasmine, and uses his street smarts to maintain a constant presence in Ayah's social circle.

Masseur is a graceful Hindu man who earns his living giving massages. He stands out among Ayah's suitors through his gentle demeanor and singing ability. He offers a peaceful presence in Ayah's otherwise chaotic social circle, making him a favorite for her affection.

Godmother is an older, highly respected figure within the Parsee community of Lahore. She provides Lenny with a warm, stable sanctuary away from the Sethi household. Strong-willed and well-connected, she acts as a confidante and practical problem-solver for those in need.

Cousin is Lenny's older male cousin. He acts as an instigator in Lenny's early education, showing her how basic electricity works and clumsily introducing her to anatomical differences. He frequently interacts with Lenny during family gatherings, acting alternately as a teacher and an annoyance.

Mother is a beautiful and intelligent woman who manages the Sethi household. She loves her husband deeply, though she rarely receives the same level of open affection in return. To entertain him during his lunch hours, she and Lenny often perform by inventing or exaggerating stories about their daily activities.

Father is the primary provider for the Sethi family, holding a secure and well-paid office job. He maintains a serious, solemn demeanor and rarely engages in lighthearted conversation with his wife or children. His primary focus remains on protecting his family and ensuring their financial stability.

Slavesister, also known as Mini Aunty, is Godmother's younger sister. She performs the majority of the daily chores in Godmother's home. She engages in constant, spirited arguments with her older sister, which enlivens the atmosphere for visiting family members.

Ranna is the great-grandson of the Sethis' cook, Imam Din. He is a young Muslim boy who lives in the country. He shares a physical connection with Lenny through his protruding belly button, which draws them together as sympathetic playmates when she visits his village.

Adi is Lenny's younger brother, introduced at three years old. He is a healthy and energetic child who attends regular school. His robust physical health and status as the son of the family provide him with advantages that frequently ignite a contentious sibling rivalry with his older sister.

Colonel Bharucha serves as the medical doctor for the Sethi family and acts as the president of the Parsee community in Lahore. He oversees Lenny's physical treatments. As a community leader, he advises the small Parsee population to adapt quietly to their environment without taking sides in political conflicts.

Imam Din is the elderly Muslim cook for the Sethi family. At sixty-five years old, he commands respect from both the household staff and the residents of his home village, Pir Pindo. He frequently mediates small disputes between the children and staff members while maintaining a jovial presence in the home.

Electric-Aunt is Lenny's aunt and the mother of Cousin. She lives near Godmother on Jail Road. She regularly runs mysterious daily errands with Mother and participates actively in the extended family's social routines.

Hari is the Hindu gardener employed at the Sethi house. He maintains a good-natured attitude and jokes easily with the other servants, contributing to the initially harmonious multi-ethnic environment of the household.

Papoo is the young daughter of the Sethis' sweeper. Though about eight years old, she is malnourished and the size of a much younger child. Despite suffering severe physical abuse at home, she maintains a cheeky and defiant spirit.

Muccho is the wife of the Sethis' sweeper and the mother of Papoo. She is a harsh disciplinarian who regularly subjects her daughter to brutal physical punishments without remorse.

Hamida is a reserved woman who is hired as a new nursemaid for Lenny and Adi. She carries a profound sense of sorrow and stays quiet about her past life and family circumstances, viewing her situation as the result of inescapable fate.

Sher Singh is a Sikh zoo attendant who joins the diverse group of men visiting Ayah. He flirts with her while she brings the children to look at the animals, adding to the competitive but friendly atmosphere among her suitors.

Sharbat Khan is a Pathan knife-sharpener who joins Ayah's circle of admirers. He brings gifts of mountain treats like almonds and pistachios to win her favor, and he charms the household children by offering them bicycle rides.

Mr. Rogers is the English Inspector General of Police. He attends dinner parties at the Sethi household, where he openly questions the native population's capability for self-governance, representing the condescending authority of British rule.

Mr. Singh is a Sikh neighbor living next door to the Sethis on Warris Road. He is a vocal supporter of Indian independence and engages in heated, occasionally physical political arguments with British guests during social gatherings.

Rosy is the daughter of the Singhs and lives next door to Lenny. She possesses three highly coveted little glass jars that she uses to play tea-time, and she frequently roughhouses with Adi in the yard.