Often in such stories, there could be an old recluse who lives near the old mansion. And maybe a young journalist who is trying to write a story about the mansion's history. These two could be main characters, with the recluse having a lot of knowledge about the place and the journalist trying to uncover the truth from him.
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I don't know as I haven't read it. But they could be the owner of the mansion, a caretaker, or visitors.
I'm not sure specifically as there could be many 'the old mansion' short stories. But generally, it might involve mysteries, secrets hidden within the old mansion, or perhaps the history of the people who once lived there.
There's a good chance the main characters are two old friends. They could be characters who have known each other for a long time and their relationship is based on shared memories and experiences that are filled with joy. Maybe they meet again after a long time apart and their interaction forms the core of the story.
There might be a group of kids who grew up in the old neighborhood. They could be the main characters as they experience the joys and sorrows of living there. They play in the streets, have adventures in the local parks, and form friendships that last a lifetime. And as they grow up, they see the neighborhood change around them.
There's the boy, who is the central human character in 'old yeller short story'. He is the one who forms a strong bond with Old Yeller. Old Yeller, the dog, is the other main character. He is brave, loyal and loving. Then there are the boy's parents and siblings who also play a part in the story, but it's the boy and Old Yeller's relationship that drives the plot forward.
Since I don't have access to the 'an old friend short story', I can't say for certain. But usually in such a story, the main characters would be the old friends themselves. There could also be secondary characters like family members or mutual friends who play a role in their relationship, either supporting or causing some sort of friction between the two main friends.
I'm not sure as the title doesn't tell us directly, but it could be the former owners of the old house.
The main character is Sultan, the ageing dog. His owner is an important character too. There could be other characters such as the neighbours who might be mentioned in relation to the events on the farm. Also, if there are any threats like wild animals or thieves, they can be considered as characters in a sense as they drive the plot forward and Sultan's actions are in response to them.
In 'the old box short story', the main characters could be diverse. There might be an elderly person who has kept the box for years and has a deep emotional connection to it. Then there could be a younger character, maybe a grandchild, who is eager to know what's inside. There could also be other characters in the background, like neighbors or acquaintances who play a role in the events related to the box. For example, a neighbor might have some knowledge about the box's origin that helps the main characters in their quest to understand it.