The Whale is a massive ocean predator who roams the sea consuming all the fish he can find. Driven by a seemingly bottomless appetite, he lacks foresight and listens readily to the suggestions of smaller creatures. His gluttony causes problems for the local ecosystem until he accidentally swallows an opponent who knows how to fight back.

The Mariner is a resourceful shipwreck survivor who finds himself swallowed whole by a giant sea creature. He uses his limited tools, specifically a jack-knife and his suspenders, to cause a painful commotion and force a return to dry land. His quick thinking secures his safety and permanently alters the ocean's food chain.

The Camel is an intensely lazy animal residing in the newly formed world. He spends his days looking at his reflection in a puddle of water while pointedly ignoring requests for help from his peers. His constant refusal to contribute leads directly to magical intervention and a permanent physical change.

The Djinn is a magical authority figure responsible for maintaining order in the desert environments of the new world. He values hard work and fairness, stepping in with powerful magic when an animal refuses to pull his weight.

The Rhinoceros is a rude, thick-skinned animal who roams the area around the Red Sea. He wears his smooth skin unbuttoned and takes what he wants without asking. His poor manners quickly create a bitter enemy who plots a painful revenge.

The Parsee Man is a solitary individual who relies on his cooking stove for survival. When a large animal steals his meal, he holds a grudge and devises a cunning method to exact revenge on the thief.

The Leopard is a solid-colored predator who relies on his natural camouflage to catch prey in the open plains. When his food source relocates, he must migrate to an unfamiliar forest environment. He relies heavily on his human companion for strategy and advice when the environment shifts.

The Ethiopian is a clever hunter who works closely with the Leopard. He possesses a large vocabulary and quickly understands when they need to adapt their methods. He initiates the physical changes necessary to survive in the dark, dappled forest.

The Elephant's Child is a highly curious young animal with a short, bulgy nose. His incessant questioning annoys his extended family, prompting him to travel to the Limpopo River for answers. He possesses a strong sense of determination despite his family's harsh treatment.

The Crocodile is a deceptive predator living in the murky river waters. He uses false promises to lure curious animals close enough to catch them in his powerful jaws.

The Kangaroo is originally a small, woolly animal with four short legs. His massive ego and desire to be different drive him to pester divine beings for a transformation. His excessive pride leads to a grueling ordeal across Australia.

Dingo is a yellow dog tasked with pursuing a vain creature across the continent. He runs relentlessly for hours, acting as an instrument of divine instruction while growing increasingly hungry and confused.

The Hedgehog is a small animal capable of curling into a tight ball to protect himself from predators. Facing a constant threat from a local hunter, he shares his defensive techniques with his companion to improve their odds of survival.

The Tortoise is a cautious creature who evades predators by retreating into his hard exterior. He teams up with his friend to confuse their mutual enemy, learning how to swim and altering his physical form in the process.

The Painted Jaguar is a dangerous but easily confused predator. He relies entirely on his mother's rhymes to identify his prey, making him susceptible to deception when his targets refuse to cooperate.

Taffimai Metallumai, often called Taffy, is a clever Neolithic girl who loves spending time outdoors. Frustrated by the lack of written communication in her society, she experiments with drawings to convey messages. Her creative efforts frequently result in significant misunderstandings before proving revolutionary.

Tegumai Bopsulai is a prehistoric father who enjoys a close bond with his daughter. He encourages her creativity and actively participates in developing a system of shapes to represent spoken sounds.

Pau Amma the Crab is an enormous, disobedient creature who refuses to follow the instructions of the world's creator. His massive size causes catastrophic floods whenever he leaves his underwater home to search for food.

The Man is a recurring figure in the early world, representing the dawn of human civilization. He domesticates animals for labor, suffers floods near his river home, and attempts to assert dominance over his wild surroundings.

The Woman is a clever domesticator who uses food and magic to bring wild animals under her control. She creates a system of mutual benefit, trading shelter for labor, but struggles to outsmart a particularly stubborn feline.

The Cat is a fiercely independent animal who refuses to fully integrate into human society. He desires the warmth and food of a cave but strictly insists on maintaining his autonomy. He relies on his wits to manipulate humans into serving him.

Suleiman-bin-Daoud-Solomon is a powerful, magical king who understands the languages of animals. He possesses immense abilities but refuses to use them out of an extreme, paralyzing sense of humility. He requires gentle manipulation to maintain order in his own home.

Balkis is a wise queen who operates quietly behind the scenes. She orchestrates situations that allow her husband to use his power without compromising his strict moral code.

The 'Stute Fish is a clever ocean dweller who uses manipulation to avoid being eaten. He directs a massive predator toward a human, prioritizing his own survival over the safety of others.

Baviaan is a wise baboon who understands the changing dynamics of the natural world. He directs struggling predators to alter their tactics, sparking a major transformation.

The Snake is a knowledgeable creature who observes the events on the riverbank. He provides vital assistance and tactical advice when a predator attacks, helping turn a dangerous situation into a physical advantage.

The Big God Nqong is a powerful deity who takes literal approaches to answering prayers. Annoyed by arrogance, he uses an aggressive method to grant wishes and teach humility simultaneously.

The Painted Jaguar's Mother is a wise older animal who tries to impart hunting knowledge through simple rhymes. She attempts to keep her easily bewildered son fed and safe.

Taddimai is a Neolithic mother who worries deeply about her family's safety. She aggressively misinterprets incoming messages, mobilizing her entire tribe based on her fears.

The Stranger-Man is a traveler from a different tribe who does not speak the local language. His willingness to help a child leads him into dangerous situations, as he misinterprets crude drawings as calls for military assistance.

The Dog is the first animal to trade his wild freedom for steady meals. He becomes fiercely loyal to his human companions and aggressively patrols the boundaries of their home.

The Butterfly is a small insect prone to making exaggerated boasts to win arguments. His false claims catch the attention of the king, trapping him in a situation that requires royal intervention to resolve.

The Butterfly's Wife is a stubborn insect who refuses to back down from an argument. Her demands for evidence inadvertently solve a much larger conflict within the royal palace.