The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Roald Dahl, Illustr. Quentin Blake

The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me

Roald Dahl, Illustr. Quentin Blake
37 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Middle Grade
Published in 1985

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Billy is a young boy with a passionate dream of managing a sweets shop filled with exotic candies from around the world. He becomes the business manager for the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company after befriending the talking animals who move into the old storefront near his home. He is observant, helpful, and easily adapts to strange situations, actively participating in his friends' jobs.

Key Relationships

Business partner of The Giraffe

Companion of The Pelican

Friend of The Monkey

Employed by The Duke

The Duke of Hampshire is an elderly gentleman with an enormous mustache who ranks as the wealthiest man in England. He resides at Hampshire House, a massive mansion with 677 windows that require cleaning. Although prone to comical outbursts and short-tempered demands, he possesses a generous spirit and a deep knowledge of exotic wildlife.

Key Relationships

Husband of The Duchess of Hampshire

Patron of Billy

Employer of The Giraffe

Employer of The Pelican

Employer of The Monkey

Enemy of The Cobra

The Giraffe acts as the gentle but confident leader of the Ladderless Window-Cleaning Company. She identifies as a Geraneous giraffe, meaning she sustains herself on the rare flowers of the tinkle-tinkle tree. Her magical, extendable neck allows her to function as the company's ladder, lifting her colleagues to the highest windows.

Key Relationships

Business partner of Billy

Co-worker of The Pelican

Co-worker of The Monkey

Employee of The Duke

The Pelican is a cheerful bird who serves as the water bucket for the window-cleaning crew. His patented beak features a retractable upper bill and a massive pouch capable of holding gallons of water or safely transporting passengers like Billy. He constantly craves fresh fish, specifically salmon.

Key Relationships

Transporter for Billy

Co-worker of The Giraffe

Co-worker of The Monkey

Employee of The Duke

Opponent of The Cobra

The Monkey is the energetic, skinny window wiper of the animal trio. He scrambles up the Giraffe's long neck to reach the glass and relies on the water in the Pelican's beak to do the washing. He is constantly moving, singing to advertise their services, and dreaming of eating his favorite walnuts.

Key Relationships

Friend of Billy

Co-worker of The Giraffe

Co-worker of The Pelican

Employee of The Duke

The Cobra is an armed and dangerous cat-burglar who sneaks into Hampshire House. He targets the Duchess's valuable diamond jewelry while the windows are being washed. He carries a pistol and reacts violently when cornered by the animals.

Key Relationships

Burglar of The Duke

Burglar of The Duchess of Hampshire

Opponent of The Pelican

Supporting Characters

The Duchess is the dramatic wife of the Duke and a retired opera singer. She owns millions of dollars worth of diamonds and easily bursts into theatrical lamentations or joyous fainting spells when overwhelmed by events.

Key Relationships

Wife of The Duke

Victim of The Cobra

The Chief of Police leads the officers responding to the incident at the Duke's estate. He identifies the captured burglar as a notorious international criminal and secures the stolen goods for their rightful owner.

Key Relationships

Arresting officer of The Cobra

Assistant to The Duchess of Hampshire