Gappe is a duck who serves as one of the animal companions in Temple's traveling musical band. He possesses the unusual ability to play his beak like a trumpet, producing music by shaping his mouth into the form of the brass instrument. As a member of the group that escapes from an abusive traveling musical troupe, Gappe joins the protagonist Temple and the drummer boy Tomtom on their journey after they all meet following Temple being carried away from her home by a storm in a balloon. Gappe has a somewhat vain and comical personality, considering himself handsome and acting as a comedic third wheel within the ensemble. He is a supporting character whose primary function within the story is to perform music alongside his friends to keep up the group's spirits as they travel and search for a way back to Temple's home. While the initial leader of the troupe attempts to recapture Tomtom and the animals, Gappe remains a loyal companion to the group throughout their adventures.