(Character Sketch)

First Flight
Character Sketch: Lencho
• Hardworking – "An ox of a man," dedicated farmer.

• Optimistic– Expected a good harvest with rain.

• had an unwavering faith – Believed only God could help him.

• Naïve – Wrote to God asking for 100 pesos.

• Blind Faith – Trusted God completely but doubted humans.

• Emotional – Blamed people instead of questioning reality.

 Character Sketch: Postmaster
• Kind and Generous – Helps Lencho by collecting money for him.

• Amused but Admiring – Finds Lencho’s faith funny at first but later respects it.

• Compassionate – Wants to preserve Lencho’s belief in God.

• Selfless – Secretly arranges funds without expecting credit.

• Ironically Misjudged – Lencho wrongly suspects him and his staff of dishonesty.

• Symbol of Human Goodness – Represents kindness despite being misunderstood.

 Character Sketch: Nelson Mandela
• Freedom-Seeker – Realized childhood freedom was limited by apartheid.
• Determined Learner – Used education to fight oppression.
• Visionary Leader – Fought for true freedom and equality for all.
• Resilient and Courageous – Endured 27 years in prison without losing hope.
• Selfless and Sacrificial – Prioritized his people’s liberation over personal life.
• Humble and Forgiving – Chose reconciliation over revenge.
• Historic Leader – Became the first Black President of South Africa in 1994.
• Man of Integrity – Stayed committed to justice and change.
 Character Sketch: Young seagull
• Fearful and Insecure – Afraid to fly despite having strong wings.
• Lacking Confidence – Hesitant while watching his siblings fly.
• Dependent – Relied on parents for food instead of making an effort.
• Motivated by Hunger – Driven by starvation to take action.
• Overcomes Fear – Instinctively takes his first flight in desperation.
• Thrilled and Confident – Realizes the joy of flying and gains confidence.
• Independent – Learns to dive, glide, and survive on his own.
• Symbol of Growth – Represents overcoming fear through courage and self-
belief.
 Character Sketch: Mother seagull

The mother seagull plays a crucial role in helping her young one overcome his fear of
flying. She is observant and patient, carefully watching his struggles. Instead of
forcing him, she strategically uses hunger as a tool to push him out of his comfort
zone. She is clever and deceptive yet caring, as she tempts him with food but
ensures he takes the leap of faith. Her tough love and encouragement make her a
catalyst for his growth, ultimately teaching him independence. She symbolizes
wisdom, guidance, and the power of a mother’s instinct in shaping her child’s future.
 Character Sketch: Pilot (Old Dakota)
• Focused on Destination – Initially looking forward to reuniting with his family after the
flight.
• Unprepared for Challenge – Saw the journey as simple but encountered an unexpected
storm.
• Courageous – Faced the unknown storm with determination and resilience.
• Guided by Mystery – Saw another plane through the storm, which led him to safety.
• Reflective – Learned that no other plane was in the sky, turning the journey into an
unexplained mystery.
• Symbol of Growth – The journey became more significant than the destination, teaching
him about courage and the unexpected lessons of life.
 Character Sketch: Anne Frank

• Intelligent – Creative and quick-witted, especially in defending herself.

• Compassionate – Caring and sensitive towards others.
• Mature for Her Age – Displayed emotional maturity, understanding complex feelings.
• Lonely – Craved a true friend to confide in and share her thoughts.
• Resourceful – Made her diary, Kitty, her confidante, expressing all her emotions.
• Humorous – Used humor to navigate challenges and convince others.
• Talkative – Often punished for being talkative, yet used her charm to change situations.
 Character Sketch: Mr. Keesings
• Strict and Disciplinary – A teacher who didn't tolerate talking in class.
• Irritated by Anne – Constantly frustrated by Anne’s talkative nature.
• Punished Anne – Gave her extra schoolwork to stop her from talking.
• Humorous – Eventually appreciated Anne’s witty and creative approach to assignments.
• Open-minded – Recognized Anne’s sense of humour and creativity after she turned an
assignment into a playful story.
• Adaptable – Instead of punishing her further, he gave Anne more assignments, which
she continued to tackle in innovative ways.
• Ideal Teacher-Student Relationship – Showed patience, humour, and a sense of
understanding
 Character Sketch: Baker
• Part of Goan Life – A familiar and important figure in Goan daily life.
• Guide and Friend – Acted as a companion and guide to the people.
• Morning Ritual – His bamboo stick’s jingle woke up the community.
• Happy and Prosperous – His family was always seen as content and thriving.
• Celebration Staple – His sweet bread, "bols," was a key part of weddings, feasts, and
Christmas.
• Distinctive Dress – Wore the traditional Kabai, later switching to shirt and trousers.
 Character Sketch: Rajvir
• Avid Reader – Gained knowledge about various topics through his love for reading.
• Intellectually Sound – Had vast knowledge, especially about tea, which he shared with
Pranjol.
• Excited – Eager to visit Assam’s tea estates for the summer vacation.
• Passionate about Detective Stories – A big fan of detective genres.
• Knowledgeable about Tea – Well-versed in the history of tea and surprised Pranjol’s
father with his knowledge.
• Nature Lover – Enjoyed the scenic beauty of Assam and expressed his admiration for
nature.
 Character Sketch: Pranjol

• Born and Raised in Assam – Grew up on a tea plantation where his father
managed the estate.
• Host – Invited Rajvir to visit his home and the Dhekiabari Tea Estate during
summer.
• Schoolmate – Studied with Rajvir in Delhi.
• Passionate about Detective Stories – Shared a love for detective stories with
Rajvir
 Character Sketch: Mijbil
• Unique Species – Belongs to the previously unknown species Lutrogale perspicillata
Maxwell.
• Aloof and indifferent – Initially hesitant and cautious.
• Playful and Mischievous – Enjoys manipulating small objects while lying on his back
• Gradual Trust – Gains confidence and forms a bond with the author.
• Observant and Intelligent – Exhibits keen observational skills and invented his own games
particularly using a ping-pong ball and a damaged suitcase
• Apt Learner – Responds to his name and picks up simple commands, showing his
intelligence.
• Compulsive Habits – On his way home, he always runs the full length of the wall of a
primary school.
 Character Sketch: Maxwell

• Compassionate and Thoughtful – Shows deep care and concern for Mijbil, the otter.
• Lover of Animals – Excited to have an otter as a pet and is dedicated to its well-being.
• Knowledgeable – Uses his understanding of animal behaviour to help Mijbil adjust.
• Patient and Understanding – Allows Mijbil to gradually settle into his new environment.
• Positive Influence on Nature – Demonstrates how humans can have a compassionate
impact on the animal world.
 Character Sketch: Valli
• Smart and Intelligent – Despite being eight years old, Valli displayed maturity beyond her
years.
• Curious and Adventurous – She was curious about the world and wanted to experience a
bus ride on her own.
• Resourceful and Responsible – Valli saved her pocket money and planned carefully to make
the bus ride possible. (Bus travels six miles to the nearest town with a thirty paise fare)
• Independent and Self-reliant – Took the initiative to travel alone without asking others for
help.
• Courageous and Determined – Made decisions confidently, without the need for her
parents’ approval.
 Character Sketch: Natalya

• Young and Unmarried – A 25-year-old woman, still single, living near Lomov.
• Attractive and Skilled – Good-looking and an excellent housekeeper.
• Desperate for Love – Craving affection, called a “lovesick cat” by her father.
• Argumentative – Quarrels with Lomov over the meadows and dogs.
• Sense of Justice – Opposes unfairness, even if she doesn’t value the meadows.
• Sharp and Independent – Determined not to give up land to others.
• Eager for Marriage – Quickly accepts Lomov’s proposal when she learns of it.
 Character Sketch: Chubukov

• Practical and Materialistic – Focused on wealth and social status.

• Marriage for Status – Sees his daughter's marriage to Lomov as a way to improve his
family’s standing.
• Manipulative – Uses his daughter as a tool to achieve his goals.
• Persuasive – Tries to convince Natalya to marry Lomov for her own happiness and security.
• Self-Interested – Primarily concerned with his own material benefits.
 Character Sketch: Lomov
• Anxious and Eager – A 35-year-old man, eager to marry due to his age.
• Foolish and Eccentric – Suffers from palpitations and behaves oddly, focused on trivial
matters.
• Argumentative – Gets into heated quarrels over trivial things like Oxen Meadows and pet
dogs.
• Lack of Self-Confidence – Struggles to clearly express his intentions and feels insecure.
• Comical and Immature – Stubbornly argues over insignificant matters, almost ruining his
marriage prospect.
• Childish Behaviour – His inability to prioritize issues and his immaturity create chaos during
his proposal.
Footprints Without Feet
 Character Sketch: Mrs. Pumphrey
• Wealthy and Resourceful – Middle-aged woman with many servants and maids.
• Warm and Generous – Treats visitors with kindness and hospitality.
• Emotionally Attached – Has a strong bond with her pet dog, Tricki.
• Overindulgent – Pampered Tricki with excessive food and treats, ignoring advice on
exercise.
• Tender-Hearted – Very upset when Tricki fell ill, showing her caring nature.
• Silly yet Grateful – Appreciated Dr. Herriot’s efforts in restoring Tricki’s health.
 Character Sketch: Dr.Herriot
• Compassionate and Dedicated – Shows strong commitment and care for his profession and
animals.
• Competent and Knowledgeable – Highly skilled and understands animal behaviour well.
• Caring – Goes out of his way to ensure the best treatment for his patients.
• Humorous and Personable – Has a great sense of humor and a charming personality. Dr.
Herriot and his team enjoyed the items sent by Mrs. Pumphrey for Tricki, including
chocolates, cakes, and wine during Tricki’s convalescence.
• Empathetic – Listens to his clients and makes them feel comfortable.
 Character Sketch: Hari Singh
• Hari Singh was a seasoned small-time thief, manipulative and deceitful.
• He used lies and false names to escape the police.
• Stole from Anil, making daily profits while buying supplies.
• Despite his dishonesty, he was open to change, especially when it came to learning new
skills like cooking, reading, and writing.
• His growing friendship with Anil and the trust he received made him hesitant to betray
Anil, even after stealing from him.
• In the end, Hari Singh returned the stolen money, realizing the value of the friendship and
the lessons he learned from Anil.
• His courage to change and his decision to return made him appear more human than
criminal, showing his potential for reform.
 Character Sketch: Anil

• 25-year-old, tall and lean, described as easy-going and kind.

• He is simple enough to trust Hari Singh, despite his deceit.
• Lives over the Jumna shop and hires Hari as a cook, teaching him to cook, read, and write.
• Writes for magazines and spends money quickly on celebrations.
• Doesn't realize Hari is stealing a rupee daily, but is forgiving when he finds out.
• Decides to pay Hari regularly and offers him 50 rupees, showing kindness and mentorship.
• His forgiveness and friendship help reform Hari Singh, playing a key role in his change.
 Character Sketch: Ausable

• An unexpected and unconventional spy (fat and sloppy ) who defies typical spy
stereotypes with his heavy build and unglamorous personality.
• Known for his unique accent that hints at his French-American background
• Shows remarkable quick thinking and cleverness, especially in crisis situations
• Demonstrates excellent storytelling ability and can fabricate convincing lies under pressure
• Maintains his composure even in dangerous situations
• Uses his intelligence rather than physical prowess to handle threats
 Character Sketch: Fowler

• A young and somewhat naive writer

• Shows curiosity and excitement about the world of espionage
• Initially disappointed by Ausable's ordinary appearance, as he expected a more
stereotypical spy figure
• Serves as a witness to the events and as the reader's perspective into the story
• Displays a mix of nervousness and fascination during the dangerous encounter
 Character Sketch: Max
• Another secret agent and Ausable’s opponent who breaks into Ausable's room
• He is thin and not very tall, looks cunning, and crafty and has sharp features similar to
those of a fox
• Armed and dangerous, showing his readiness to use violence
• Despite his threatening nature, proves somewhat gullible
• Falls for Ausable's clever deception
• Represents the stereotypical spy story villain, in contrast to Ausable's unconventional
character
 Character Sketch: Horace Danby
• Fifty-year-old unmarried man living with a concerned housekeeper
• Suffers from hay fever in summer
• Runs a legitimate lock-making business with two employees
• Maintains a respectable image in society but not completely honest
• Passionate collector of rare and expensive books
• Commits one robbery per year to fund his book collection
• A meticulous planner and only targets wealthy households
• Shows naivety by trusting appearances
• Gets deceived by another thief posing as the lady of the house
• Leaves fingerprints that lead to his arrest
• Serves as assistant librarian in prison and often reflects on how he was outwitted
 Character Sketch: The lady in red
• A clever and skilled thief who outsmarts Horace Danby by playing the role of the house
owner's wife
• Quick-thinking and manipulative in her approach
• Makes her story believable through careful attention to details
• Demonstrates strategic planning abilities
• Avoids leaving any evidence of her own crime
• Shows ruthlessness by betraying Horace and calling the police
• Escapes cleanly with the stolen jewelry
• Uses psychological manipulation to her advantage
• Proves to be more professional and cunning than Horace
• Shows no moral code unlike Horace
 Character Sketch: Griffin

• Griffin was an eccentric and a lawless scientist who misused his discovery of invisibility.
• In a fit of revenge, he set fire to his landlord’s house and turned invisible to escape.
• He engaged in theft and assault, stealing from stores and a clergyman’s home.
• Griffin’s quick temper and immorality led him to commit several criminal acts.
• Despite his brilliance, Griffin’s negative traits such as being disliked and vengeful
overshadowed his scientific genius.
• His discovery was not in favour of the society rather it led to havoc
 Character Sketch: Richard Ebright

• Versatile personality with an interest in science and extracurricular activities.

• Passionate about molecular biology from a young age.
• Conducted experiments in grade eight on monarch butterflies.
• Persistent despite obstacles and setbacks.
• Thrived in a competitive educational environment due to his curious nature.
• Developed a theory of living cells at 24.
• Competitive in a positive sense, aiming for excellence.
• Dedicated researcher exploring the mysteries of nature.
 Character Sketch: Richard Ebright’s Mother

• Supportive, caring, and encouraging.

• Recognized her son’s potential and fostered his interest in science.
• Provided resources and opportunities for his education.
• She introduced him to the book which led to a turning point in his life.
• Helped Richard navigate his failures and encouraged him to keep going.
• Acted as a mentor and guide in Richard's journey to success.
• Played a key role in nurturing Richard's love for learning and discovery.
 Character Sketch: Matilda

• A young, pretty woman with dreams of a luxurious life.

• Born into a simple family and married an ordinary man.
• Dissatisfied with her financial and social status.
• Enjoyed admiration and attention at the ball.
• Borrowed a necklace to appear wealthy but lost it.
• Faced years of hardship repaying the debt.
• Lacked wisdom and responsibility.
• Failed to understand the value of contentment and living within one’s means.
 Character Sketch: M. Loisel

• Simple and content man, unlike his wife Matilda.

• Loving and caring husband, wants to make his wife happy.
• Self-sacrificing, gives up his savings to buy Matilda a dress.
• Hardworking and responsible, works tirelessly to repay the debt.
• Patient and supportive, never complains despite their struggles.
• Practical and realistic, unlike Matilda, who dreams of luxury.
• Honest and sincere, takes responsibility for repaying the lost necklace.
• Symbol of devotion and resilience, stands by Matilda in tough times.
 Character Sketch: Bholi
• Originally named Sulekha, had a tough start in life.
• Fell off a cot as a baby, affecting her brain and speech.
• Mocked by others for her stammer and pockmarked face due to smallpox.
• Neglected at home, never given new clothes.
• Started school at seven, where a kind teacher boosted her confidence.
• Improved her speech and self-esteem through education.
• Refused to marry an old, disabled man, Bishamber- showing her strength.
• Education and encouragement transformed her into a confident individual.
 Character Sketch: Think Tank

• Leader of Martians, believes himself to be the most intelligent.

• Egotistical and arrogant, often praises his own intelligence.
• Short-tempered, gets annoyed easily.
• Overconfident, assumes Earth is an inferior planet.
• Foolish, misinterprets nursery rhymes as Earth’s military plans.
• Cowardly, orders retreat out of fear of Earth’s "advanced" technology.
 Character Sketch: Noodle

• Brilliant and intelligent servant of Think-Tank.

• Manages Think-Tank well without offending him.
• Modest and humble, ensures Think-Tank gets all the praise.
• Logical and wise, recognizes books as a means of communication.
• Polite and cooperative, works well with the crew.
• Tactful and diplomatic, corrects Think-Tank’s mistakes subtly.
• Handles tasks independently and executes orders efficiently.
• Practical and rational, focuses on real solutions.