48 pages • 1-hour read
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A chestnut racehorse who unexpectedly leaves her stall one evening when the door is left unlatched. Having known nothing but the racing life in Maisons-Laffitte, she explores the city out of pure curiosity. She wanders through the streets at night, stopping to graze in parks and observing the human world. Her gentle disposition allows her to form connections with street-smart animals and kind individuals she encounters along the way.
A street-smart German Shepherd who survives on her own after her human companion passes away. She observes the human world closely and figures out how to conduct transactions, bringing paper money to local shopkeepers in exchange for groceries. Initially suspicious of the world and highly protective of her independence, she acts as a cautious guide to her naive equine friend.
An intellectual, elderly raven who claims a nest above a statue of Benjamin Franklin. He considers himself above the mundane concerns of other animals and speaks formally, preferring to analyze human behavior from a safe distance. Despite his occasionally aloof attitude, he freely offers his guidance to animals unfamiliar with city life.
A ninety-six-year-old woman who lives in a large, quiet Parisian manor. Having lost both her sight and hearing to old age, she relies entirely on her great-grandson to manage their daily routines and assist her with errands. She spends her quiet hours knitting an afghan blanket and reflecting on her past, privately harboring anxiety about what will happen to her young relative.
Madame's eight-year-old great-grandson who lives a remarkably isolated life in her large manor. Rather than attending a traditional school, he spends his time reading in the family library and managing the household chores. His isolation makes him eager for companionship, leading him to offer food and a safe resting place to the unusual animals roaming outside his home.
A rat who makes his home inside the expansive walls of a grand Parisian residence. Unlike his conservative father, he dreams of venturing outside their established courtyards to discover the larger world and eventually find a mate. The arrival of unusual visitors in the house provides him with an unexpected opportunity to act on his adventurous impulses.
A cautious rat who lives alongside his son in the walls of an old manor. He firmly believes in the safety of established routines and relies on the physical protection of the walls. He regularly lectures his son against the dangers of exploring the human-dominated spaces outside their known territory.
Father of Kurt
A male duck who lives in an enclosed pond near the Eiffel Tower. He reacts territorially when strange animals approach his home, initially panicking at the sight of a horse and a dog. He eventually learns to tolerate his new neighbors.
Husband of Nancy
Acquaintance of Raoul
A female duck residing at the Eiffel Tower pond alongside her mate. She frequently voices her opinions about her living situation, preferring the stability of Paris over her mate's desire to travel. She strikes up casual conversations with the animals who visit their enclosure.
Wife of Sid
Acquaintance of Perestroika
A pragmatic Parisian grocer who runs a vegetable stall. He calmly accepts paper currency from a stray dog, concluding that she must be shopping on behalf of a homebound human. He treats his unusual customer with quiet respect and fulfills her shopping requests.
Grocer to Frida
A bakery worker who manages the early morning shifts in Paris. When a horse pokes its head into her shop, she responds with kindness by offering it high-quality oats. She quietly believes the animal might be a spiritual visitation rather than an ordinary creature.
Secret Feeder of Perestroika
Friend of Pierre
A city gardener responsible for maintaining the green spaces around the Eiffel Tower. He notices an unusual animal staying in the pond enclosure but chooses not to report the situation to the authorities, appreciating the peaceful atmosphere the creature brings.
Secret Observer of Perestroika
Friend of Anais
A man who lived without a permanent home on the streets of Paris. Although he is no longer living, his past companionship deeply shaped the survival instincts of the loyal dog who continues to mourn his absence.
Former Owner of Frida
A professional racehorse trainer who works at the Maisons-Laffitte stables. She dedicates herself to managing the strict diet and training regimen of the horses under her care and assumes the missing horse must be close by.
Trainer of Perestroika