Peter Augustus Duchene

Peter Augustus Duchene is a ten year-old orphan. His father was a soldier killed during a battle. His mother died after giving birth to Peter's baby sister. Peter lives with one of the soldiers, Vilna Lutz, that fought with Peter's father.

Peter starts to remember things about his childhood throughout the novel. His memories, along with the fortune teller confirming that his sister Adele is alive, sends Peter on a journey to find his long lost sister. In the process of finding the elephant the fortune teller says will lead him to his sister, however, Peter realizes that the elephant needs to be returned to the home form which she came.

Peter is a very precocious child. He's wise beyond his years. He's loving and caring. This is why he helps to care for Vilna Lutz, as the man is aging and has bouts of illness...