The Bandits

Referred to as "the bandits" by the government, these marauders repeatedly raided the narrator's village, forcing her family into hiding and eventually compelling them to undertake a long journey that forms the crux of the story. The specific identity of these bandits is never disclosed, but they are believed to be one of the Mozambique rebel factions supported by the South African government, aiming to overthrow the government by causing chaos in rural areas.

The Daughter

A young girl of about nine or ten when the story begins, the daughter serves as the narrator, sharing her family's arduous journey from their village to a refugee camp. She reveals little about herself but provides the perspective through which the story unfolds. The daughter has limited understanding of the war and its causes, though she notes the fear instilled by the bandits and the impact of their raids on her life. A keen observer, she vividly describes moments of the trek: her grandfather rocking and murmuring, flies on her grandmother’s face, and her older brother growing silent. While we learn little about her personally, her observations drive the narrative.

The Father

Although the father never appears in the story, his absence and presumed death in the war significantly shape the story's tone. His absence forces the narrator's family to fend for themselves.

The Grandfather

Previously the owner of three sheep, a cow, and a vegetable garden—all seized by the bandits—the grandfather spends much of the story rocking back and forth and making small noises. He appears to suffer from dementia or a mental breakdown. During the family's trek through Kruger Park, he wanders off into the tall grasses, gets lost, and the family is forced to leave him behind.

The Grandmother

As the matriarch of her extended family, which includes her husband and grandchildren—the narrator and her younger and older brothers—the grandmother is the strongest adult figure in the story. Her vision and leadership enable the family to escape the rebels' danger and make their way through Kruger Park to a refugee camp across the border. Once settled in the camp, she finds work hauling bricks and ensures her grandchildren receive an education.

The Little Brother

Not even a year old when the family is compelled to abandon their village, the little brother is three by the time the story concludes. Throughout this period, he endures severe malnutrition. As he gets older, his sister observes that he hardly ever speaks, attributing this to the insufficient nourishment they had during their journey.

The Mother

Much like the father, we know nothing about the mother except that she went out to the store one day and never came back. This left the narrator’s grandparents with the responsibility of caring for the children during the war.