Well, Odysseus for sure. He is smart and brave. In a short story for first graders, they can focus on his adventures. Also, if it's about his encounter with Circe, Circe is another main character. She turns Odysseus' men into pigs. First graders will find this transformation interesting. And Odysseus has to find a way to save his men from her magic.
The encounter with Aeolus, the keeper of the winds. Aeolus gives Odysseus a bag of winds to help him get home. But his men open it thinking it's treasure. This is a simple story of misfortune due to curiosity. First graders can learn about how curiosity can sometimes lead to bad results. It also has a cool concept of a man having control over the winds which can be exciting for young minds.
Odysseus is the main character. He is the hero of the story. His wife Penelope is also a major character as she waits for him back home. And there's Telemachus, their son, who plays an important role in the story as he tries to find out about his father.
In the '2001 space odyssey short story', we often have the human protagonist. This character is usually on a mission in space. They are curious and brave, constantly trying to figure out the mysteries around them. There may also be a scientist character who is more focused on understanding the scientific aspects of what they encounter, like the monoliths. And, as mentioned before, the AI in the spacecraft is also a significant 'character' in a way, as it has an influence on the events and the other characters.
There is usually a lead character, often an adventurous type, who is brave enough to take on the journey to Mars. There might also be some supporting characters, perhaps other members of the exploration team, who play roles in different parts of the story, like helping with scientific research or dealing with unexpected situations on Mars.
The main characters in '2001 a space odyssey short story' include Dr. Dave Bowman, who is a brave and inquisitive astronaut. He is at the forefront of the exploration and the one who has the most direct encounters with the mysterious monolith. HAL 9000, the super - intelligent computer, is also a major character. HAL has its own 'personality' and goals, which often conflict with those of the human crew. There are other astronauts as well, but they are more in the background compared to Bowman and HAL. Their presence, however, helps to create the overall atmosphere of a space mission and the group dynamics that are at play during the events of the story.
The main idea of a story for first graders is usually something simple and easy to understand, like a friendship or a fun adventure.
One of the main themes is the idea of homecoming. Odysseus spends years trying to get back to his home in Ithaca. Another theme is the power of the gods. Their interference and help shape Odysseus' journey. Also, there is the theme of loyalty. Penelope remains loyal to Odysseus during his long absence.
The main characters include Odysseus, the hero of the story who is trying to get home. Penelope, his faithful wife who waits for him and fends off suitors. Telemachus, their son who grows up during Odysseus' absence. Then there are figures like Poseidon, the god who makes Odysseus' journey difficult, and Athena, the goddess who often helps Odysseus. Also, there are various mythical creatures like the Cyclops and the sirens that Odysseus encounters on his journey.
For first graders to draw conclusions from short stories, they need to pay attention to the main characters' actions and feelings. Let's say in a short story, the main character gives his toy to another child. From this action, first graders can conclude that the character is kind. They can also use their own experiences. If the story mentions it's raining and the character is sad, they might think of times when they were sad on a rainy day and conclude that the rain makes the character feel gloomy.
Odysseus is of course very important. He is the protagonist of the story. Penelope, his wife, is also important as she waits for him faithfully. And Telemachus, their son, who grows up and tries to find his father.