It's possible that there are also other inanimate objects or elements in the story that act as characters in a sense. For example, the paper that the pencil writes on could be considered a secondary character as it is part of the overall interaction related to the pencil's function. Without the paper, the pencil's act of writing would be incomplete. So in the 'parable of the pencil short story', the pencil, the user, and the associated objects like paper might all play roles as characters.
The moral could be about simplicity and purpose. Just like a pencil has a simple form yet serves important purposes like writing or drawing.
It's possible that the main character is the pencil itself in a sense of personification. The pencil could have its own 'personality' and desires. For example, it might want to be used to create beautiful things or it might be tired of being used for boring tasks. And there could be a person who discovers this unique aspect of the pencil and has a special relationship with it throughout the story.
Maybe there is a young girl as the main character in 'the magic pencil short story'. She might be a bit of an outcast, and when she discovers the magic pencil, it changes her life. There could also be an antagonist, perhaps a bully who wants to take the magic pencil from her.
The main characters are the father and the two sons. The prodigal son is one of the key characters as the story focuses on his actions of leaving, his time away, and his return. The other son also plays an important role as he shows a different reaction to his brother's return. And of course, the father is central as he is the one who shows great love and forgiveness towards his sons.
The main characters are the father and the prodigal son. The father represents a figure of love, forgiveness and patience. The son is the one who makes bad choices, leaves home with his inheritance and later realizes his mistakes and comes back.
Since I don't know the exact pencil game story, it could be children as main characters. They are often associated with games like this.
There are the injured man, the priest, the Levite, and the good Samaritan.
Typically, the main character is the sower, who could be a wise figure teaching the kids.
The main characters are the Samaritan, the man who was robbed and injured, and the priest and the Levite who passed by. The Samaritan is the key figure as he was the one who showed kindness to the injured man.
The main characters are the man who comes to his friend's house at midnight asking for bread and the friend who is initially reluctant to get up and give it.