# By Ronneby River explained — The Wonderful Adventures of Nils

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

## What happens

The wild geese and Smirre Fox cross paths again in Blekinge. Smirre, driven from Skåne by the geese, pursues them relentlessly. The geese find a safe sleeping spot on a steep riverbank, but Smirre enlists a marten and later an otter to attack them. Nils, awake and alert, defends the flock by throwing stones, causing both predators to fall into the river. The geese flee to a bathhouse park, but Smirre follows and demands Nils be handed over. Akka refuses, declaring the flock would give their lives for Nils, which deeply moves him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humanity and Compassion

Akka's refusal to sacrifice Nils and her declaration that the flock would give their lives for him highlights the theme of compassion and loyalty.

### Freedom vs. Confinement

The wild geese are constantly pursued by Smirre, forcing them to seek safe but confined sleeping spots, while Nils longs for human company and feels trapped by the wilderness.

### Adventure and Exploration

The geese's journey through Blekinge, following the Ronneby River and encountering new landscapes, underscores the theme of exploration.

## Character check-ins

### Nils Holgersson

Awake and anxious during the night, he defends the geese by throwing stones at the marten and otter, saving the flock. He is deeply moved by Akka's declaration that the geese would give their lives for him.

### Akka

The leader-goose who finds safe sleeping spots and refuses Smirre's demand to hand over Nils, stating the flock would willingly die for him.

### Smirre Fox

Pursues the wild geese relentlessly, enlisting a marten and an otter to attack them. He demands Nils be thrown down to him and vows vengeance.

### Morten Goosey-Gander

Sleeps with Nils tucked under his wing; Nils creeps out from under the wing due to anxiety.

## Key lines

> From the youngest of us to the oldest, we would willingly give our lives for his sake!

Every goose, young and old, would gladly die for Nils.

_Akka's response to Smirre's demand to hand over Nils, showing the flock's deep loyalty._

> Never had he dreamed that he should hear anything so great as that anyone was willing to risk life for his sake.

Nils never imagined anyone would be willing to risk their life for him.

_Nils's realization of the geese's devotion, marking a turning point in his character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wonderful_adventures_of_nils_se/chapters/by-ronneby-river
- 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