The Letter A

It starts ape/It starts age/Here's where it's at/The letter A is tearing up the stage

Abelardo

The Mexican equivalent of Big Bird (and actually his cousin), Abelardo is Plaza Sesamo's big parrot. I don't know that much about Abelardo, but I vividly remember one episode of Sesame Street (looking it up it was a celebration of Cinco de Mayo) where Abelardo came to visit Sesame Street. Big Bird and Abelardo can never seem to find each other at the right moment, but are eventually reunited after a song.

I also remember that Rosita teaches Big Bird a word in Spanish: "Manzana" which means "apple." Meanwhile, Oscar, who picked up Abelardo when Luis and Maria were supposed to pick him up, teaches Abelardo the word "scram," because Oscar is a big ol dick.

All I know about Abelardo is from that one episode.

Animal

Animal is, uh...hm. Animal isn't an actual animal, nor is he a monster in any literal sense of the word as he clearly means well. He's a growly, hairy creature with a limited vocabulary, tattered clothes, broken chains, and a penchant for women.

Animal is a drummer. I guess that's the best way to describe him. The most popular member of the Electric Mayhem (although I think Floyd and Zoot are better but whatever) and the only one who appeared on Muppet Babies. Animal is insane. To quote Frank Oz, the man who played Animal for years, "You don't mess with Animal. He eats glass."

Aloyisious Snuffleupagus

Continuing the "people who know Big Bird and start with the letter A" theme is Mr. Snuffleupagus. Best friend to "Bird," Snuffy is a giant creature known as a Snuffleupagus (which is odd because that's also his name). Snuffy takes part in one of the most important moments of children's television history.

After years of near-miss encounters, leading the grown-ups of Sesame Street to believe he's imaginary, the writers decided maybe it's not the best idea for children to think adults will never believe them. So, Big Bird decides that the best way to solve this matter is for tiny muppet Elmo to hold on to the snuffle of a giant elephantine muppet and then call a secret word so Snuffy will reveal himself. While that plan doesn't work (surprisingly, although the image of Elmo swinging on Snuffy's snuffle, trying to keep him from leaving, is too adorable), the adults end up listening to Big Bird and, turning a corner, actually see Snuffleupagus. And because they spent so much time not believing him, all the adults, from Bob to David to Maria all apologize to Big Bird and happily introduce themselves to the friendly Snuffy.

I wasn't around when it first happened (1985), but I've seen this moment many times and it's incredibly important to me. Having a healthy belief in something, anything, be it a higher power, a mythical creature, or a giant muppet is just a good way to hold on to your sanity. If you end up believing in nothing, then what else is there other than dying?