# A Large Green Leaf explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

> Chapter companion for The Wonderful Adventures of Nils by Selma Lagerlöf.

## What happens

Nils travels over Hälsingland with Gorgo the eagle, observing the landscape which resembles a green leaf with branching valleys. They search for the fiddler Clement Larsson among the peasants moving their cattle to summer pastures in the forest. After a long search, Gorgo spots Clement chopping wood at a remote stock farm, and Nils prepares to speak with him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

Nils and Gorgo's aerial search for Clement Larsson across the varied landscape of Hälsingland exemplifies the theme of exploration.

### Interconnectedness of Life

The description of the land as a green leaf with branching valleys mirrors the interconnectedness of nature and human activity, as seen in the cattle processions.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Observes the landscape of Hälsingland from above and searches for Clement Larsson with Gorgo.

### Gorgo

Flies Nils over Hälsingland to find Clement Larsson, eventually spotting him at a stock farm.

### Clement Larsson

Found by Gorgo and Nils chopping wood at a remote stock farm in the forest.

## Key lines

> This land resembles a leaf, for it’s as green as a leaf, and the valleys subdivide it in about the same way as the veins of a leaf are foliated.

Nils thinks the landscape looks like a green leaf, with valleys branching like veins.

_Nils's poetic observation of Hälsingland's geography._

> I have fulfilled my obligation. Now you must try and have a word with the man.

Gorgo tells Nils he has kept his promise and that Nils should now speak with Clement.

_Gorgo's statement after finding Clement Larsson._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/a-large-green-leaf
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters