In the book Haroun and The Sea of Stories, the major characters not only develop the book into what it is by the end, but they also have significance beyond the plot. Haroun, Rashid, Khattam-Shud, and Iff the water genie all have many levels too them. They all have great significance to the plot, but also teach, or show us things that Salman Rushdie wants us to see. So they are arguably the most important expression of the author, as opposed to the story itself. These characters can all teach us something, if we are willing to listen. This is not to undermine the importance of the plot and story themselves. It