A forsaken child who has finished his seventh and entered his eighth year, left by his parents to live with his grandfather in the remote San-Tash valley. His greatest passion is looking into the distance with his binoculars and building a world for himself by talking to rocks and plants. Defying the loveless, selfish adults of the three families around him, he keeps his innocence and the legends told by his grandfather alive in his soul. With the abuse shown to his grandfather and the tragic slaughter of the Mother Deer legend, he rejects the real world. Staying true to his dream of becoming a fish to reach a white ship, he chooses his own tragic rebellion in the stream waters.
His mother and father are divorced; both have built new lives and families in town, having forgotten him. Raised amidst the harsh conditions of the Kyrgyz wilderness solely under the protection of his grandfather, he has constructed his identity by believing the fairy tales told to him are real.
A skinny child with a long, thin neck, a head that looks huge in proportion to his body, protruding ears, and eyes constantly wide with curiosity. His body is often purple from bathing in cold water, and he wears an old, tattered shirt and the green summer guard's cap his grandfather gave him.
Kulubeg
An imaginary older brother/protector figure whom he believes can put an end to all evil.
Orozkul
The object of his hatred, a bully he fears to death and wishes to punish in his daydreams.
Mümin Dede
His only sanctuary and protector, who ultimately lets him down due to his own weakness.