Mr. Peters is a thoughtful, content, but lonely man who desires companionship for his old age. Upon rescuing the King of the Forest, he is granted three wishes and uses the first to ask for a wife. He demonstrates a blend of careful planning—pricking his tongue with a thorn to avoid rash wishes—and overconfidence in believing he can avoid the usual pitfalls of magic. He seeks to provide a good life for his new bride while facing the emotional realities of his wish.

Leita is a gentle, quiet woman who becomes Mr. Peters's wife. Described as incredibly beautiful with features mirroring the natural world, she diligently performs the traditional domestic tasks of a housewife. However, beneath her accommodating surface, she experiences a profound sadness. She maintains a strong connection to the river and her sister, bringing baked goods to the water to share with her sibling.

The King of the Forest is a magical entity who appears as a small man dressed in green with a golden crown and long beard. He is highly cynical about humans, believing they never use wishes wisely and usually end up worse off. He begrudgingly grants Mr. Peters three wishes in the form of dead leaves after being freed from the thorns.

Rhea is Leita's sister who remains in her natural swan form. She resides in the river near Mr. Peters's home, remaining physically tied to the natural world. She serves as a quiet companion to her sister along the water's edge.