•
Small One: He is a gentle donkey past his prime. Long years of working hard have made him weak. Though he eats as much as the other donkeys, he cannot handle the same loads. His right ear never likes to stay straight up, giving him that "Disney cuteness" rating. He has strong feelings for the Boy and would give his life to help him, as he almost does at the tanner's. •
Boy: He is about nine years old. Although he takes care of all the donkeys, Small One is his favorite. When his father tells him to sell Small One, the boy is devastated. Soon he accepts it. Though he loves the donkey, he accepts what his father tells him. He assures Small One will have a gentle and loving master and he does. •
Father: The boy's father is not seen much at all. He is the one who sends the boy to sell Small One. He loves his son and deep down, he cares for Small One too, but he knows they cannot afford to keep a donkey that cannot carry a large load. He owes money to the Three Merchants, which may impact his decision to profit from Small One's gradual enfeeblement. •
Three Merchants: These three men, one tall and skinny, one medium and skinny, and the last short and round, walk around the
marketplace taking money from people, "for the bank". They are the ones who point the boy to the auctioneer. •
Auctioneer: He auctions horses in the market. At first he is angered that the boy brings Small One onto the stage and slightly embarrasses him. However, when the boy tells him what Small One can do, the man changes his mind and is intrigued, especially when the boy tells him that Small One is "good enough to be in a King's stable". With that, he decides to have some fun. He mocks and almost injures Small One with his weight. But when Small One sees his best friend pushed aside, he regains his strength and throws the man off of his back. The auctioneer then chases them away. •
The Tanner: A minor
antagonist, he kills animals to make leather from their skins to sell or barter in his shop. •
The three donkeys: Small One's
barn mates. They seem jealous that the boy spends more time with Small One than them. •
Joseph: The man who buys The Small One at the end of the film. Though his name is never mentioned, from the context (he states that he needs a donkey to carry his wife to Bethlehem) he is obviously the husband of
Mary, mother of Jesus. •
The Potter: a minor character who is first seen doing his job, making clay pots. The boy comes by to ask him if he wants to buy Small One, but the Potter refuses, saying that he's nothing but "a sorry bag of bones" and that he has "buyers by the dozens - and their mother and their cousins". He then tells the boy to go away. •
The Baker: a minor character who is first seen doing his job, baking bagels. The boy comes by to ask him if he wants to buy Small One, but the baker refuses, saying that he is a "scrawny undernourished little beast" and that his large and obese wife is a "healthy size", so he will buy a horse instead. ==Cast==