# Building Shelter and Taming Lightfoot explained — The Swiss Family Robinson > Chapter companion for The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. ## What happens The family constructs a covered shelter between the roots of their great tree to protect their growing livestock from the approaching rainy season. They gather stores and acorns, and during an expedition, Ernest discovers a heath-fowl's nest. The father recounts how he tamed the onagra, named Lightfoot, by biting its ear, a method learned from an American horse-breaker. The family successfully domesticates the animal, and the mother praises the utility of their livestock over the pets. ## Themes in this chapter ### Resourcefulness and Industry The family builds a shelter from natural materials, gathers stores for the rainy season, and tames the onagra through patient ingenuity. ### Family and Paternal Authority The father leads the construction and training, instructs his sons in thoughtfulness, and takes pride in their development. ### Gratitude and Contentment The family expresses joy in their discoveries and successes, and the mother finds satisfaction in the utility of their animals. ## Character check-ins ### Father Leads the construction of the shelter and the gathering of supplies; recounts the method of taming the onagra by biting its ear. ### Fritz Rides the onagra Lightfoot, helps gather acorns, and captures the heath-fowl. ### Ernest Discovers the heath-fowl's nest and eggs, carries sword-grass leaves for his younger brother, and shows thoughtfulness for the absent. ### Jack Mentioned as too giddy to ride the onagra alone but occasionally rides behind Fritz. ### Francis Too young to ride the onagra; receives the sword-grass leaves as a plaything. ### Mother Cares for the new poultry, hatches the heath-fowl eggs under a hen, and praises the utility of the livestock over the pets. ## Key lines > I filled up the interstices with moss and clay, and I spread over the whole a thick coat of tar. By these means I formed a compact and solid covering, capable of bearing pressure. The father sealed the gaps with moss and clay and coated the roof with tar, creating a strong, waterproof shelter. _Demonstrates the family's resourcefulness in building a durable roof._ > I learned it, replied I, from a horse-breaker whom I fell in with by chance: he had lived long in America and carried on the skin-trade with the savages, to whom he took in exchange various European goods. The father explains that he learned the ear-biting technique from an American horse-breaker who traded with indigenous peoples. _Provides historical context for the taming method._ > Here, she said, are animals of real utility in a family, far beyond your monkeys, jackals, and eagles, that do nothing but eat, and are unfit to be eaten. The mother praises the practical value of the poultry and livestock compared to the family's pet animals. _Highlights the theme of utility and self-sufficiency._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_swiss_family_robinson_se/chapters