Not having read 'the secret goldfish short story', it's hard to say exactly. However, typical characters in such a story could be the person who discovers the goldfish's secret. This could be a young person full of curiosity. There might also be a antagonist of sorts, someone who wants to keep the goldfish's secret hidden for their own reasons. And of course, the goldfish itself could be considered a main character in a sense, as it is the center of the secret.
It's possible that an old man is the main character. Maybe he has been alone for a long time and the goldfish becomes his only companion. And through the relationship with the goldfish, he learns some important life lessons.
The main characters might include the person who discovers the secret goldfish. This could be a child, as children are often the protagonists in short stories about strange or magical things. There might also be a villain - someone who wants to use the goldfish for their own gain. And of course, the goldfish itself could be considered a character in a sense, as it has its own secrets and behaviors that drive the story.
Since I don't know the details of the story, I can only guess. There's probably the goldfish itself as a main character. And there might be a person, perhaps a child or an old man, who discovers the goldfish or has some sort of relationship with it.
In many short stories, the 'secret' is a key element that drives the plot. For 'the secret goldfish short story', it could be about a hidden truth regarding the goldfish. This could involve the origin of the goldfish, a magical or unusual property it has, or a connection it has to other characters or events in the story. The story may then explore how the discovery of this secret affects those involved.
Not having read 'the goldfish short story', it's hard to name all the characters. However, in addition to the goldfish, there could be a villainous character like a cat that tries to catch the goldfish, adding some drama to the story.
The plot might involve a hidden or special goldfish. Maybe it has some unique abilities or is part of a mystery that unfolds in the story.
Obviously, one of the main characters is the king. And of course, the goldfish is also a main character. There might be other characters like the king's servants who take care of the goldfish.
Perhaps there is a person who owns the goldfish, like a little boy or girl. They would be an important character as they interact with the goldfish.
Well, it might be about a special goldfish that has some sort of secret. Maybe it can talk but only to a particular person. For example, a little girl discovers that her goldfish can give her advice on how to deal with her school bullies.
The king and the goldfish are surely the main characters. The king, being in a position of authority, his character traits like his kindness or cruelty might play a role in the story. The goldfish, being the focus along with the king, might have its own 'character' so to speak. Maybe it's a very curious goldfish or a very timid one. There could also be other minor characters like the fishermen who caught the goldfish originally and presented it to the king, or the queen if she has an opinion on the king's preoccupation with the goldfish.